Risk Analysis, Disasters and Resilience MSc

Overview

Our Risk Analysis, Disasters and Resilience MSc programme provides an interdisciplinary understanding of environmental, societal and technological risk and disaster in global North and South contexts. This programme is unique in bringing critical social and development perspectives on the underlying causes of disasters together with expertise on governing, managing and communicating risks complemented with insight from professionals in public, private and third-sector organisations. Understanding differential vulnerability and exposure to hazard and how they shape adaptation and resilience is complemented by technical know-how and an understanding of the political, organisational and societal contexts that shape decisions and actions. Connections between scholarship and practice are further strengthened through a combination of theoretical and case-based modules, and an internship programme. Drawing together a unique combination of scholarship from development geography and political science to sociology and psychology (that can be supplemented with environmental monitoring and mapping modules), this programme will equip you with the skills to critically analyse risk and disasters. The programme emphasises a wide range of public policy, organisational and societal setting, evaluating options, and development of reflexive problem-solving strategies.

Course detail

The Risk Analysis, Disasters and Resilience MSc course offers knowledge and critical understanding in the benefits highlighted above, complemented with the development of a broad suite of intellectual and practical skills such as: Assessing the relative merits of contrasting theories, explanations and policies, Conceptualising problems and identifying possible methods for their solution, Critically evaluating evidence, Critically analysing qualitative and quantitative data, Planning, designing and executing an individual piece of research, including the production of a thesis/report, Undertaking effective fieldwork as part of dissertation, if suitable Employing a variety of social survey and interpretative methods for analysing information from the human world

Teaching and assessment

We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment. We will teach you through a combination of lectures and seminars, and typically 20 hours per module. We also expect you to undertake 130 hours of independent study for each module. Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include essays and other written assignments, oral presentations, lab work and occasionally by examination, depending on the modules selected. All students also undertake a research-based dissertation of 12,000 words.

Career prospects

Risk, disaster and resilience are fast expanding fields that offer diverse and richly rewarding career opportunities. Many of our graduates from our previously successful MSc programmes in Risk Analysis, and Disasters, Adaptation and Development, have secured diverse careers as disaster, risk and resilience management and policy specialists within a wide range of international and national government agencies and non-governmental organisations, consultancies and businesses. Many graduates have also gone on to undertake further research within academic research institutes. The internship module has proved particularly successful in helping graduates enter the job market.