In line with its focus, this master’s course has been specifically designed for international as well as UK-based students. The course caters for those who have studied related fields, professionals who may already be working in this field, or those wishing to embark in such a career and who have transferable knowledge and skills.  With a fully online delivery this course offers students the flexibility to study and learn from distance around existing commitments.

Delivered using methods such as recorded lectures, guided reading and discussions this is an exciting opportunity for learning at distance wherever you are.   You also gain access to the University's wider resources and services, supporting all students in having an equal chance to succeed and progress in line with our inclusivity framework.

You can access course material on a smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop, at a time that suits you, making it flexible, accessible and which can be studied from anywhere with internet access.  Allowing you to draw on knowledge and experiences from fellow students you will also be able to build a global network of peers as you study. 

This is an opportunity for you to develop an advanced Master’s level understanding in the underpinning concepts, theories and academic skills surrounding disaster and emergency management around the world.  Including areas such as societal resilience, vulnerability, risk reduction, learning lessons, and recovery, along with an understanding of how these are relevant, and can be applied, to professional practice.

It is important that, all online session and activities are completed to ensure you gain the insights, knowledge, and skills to complete your course.  Recorded sessions can be viewed through our online learning platform and systems. 

As part of the course students will be expected to carry out formative work and online activities through our online learning platform.  All course materials are also made available online and the texts on the course reading guide are also available electronically through the online library system. 

Students will be expected to manage their own study time in undertaking substantial reading and research both within and around the topics covered to obtain a mastery of the subjects.  The MSc dissertation is an independent undertaking of research and students are expected to manage their own time and activities, engaging with an assigned Supervisor for support. 

The course focuses on the international requirements and practice of delivering disaster and management. It uses subject matter from a wide range of international incidents and frameworks for comparison and consideration.

The course brings together the practical delivery of disaster and emergency management with insights from academic literature, new research, and established models. This integration allows for discussion, new considerations and the development of ideas and practice methods to be examined based on evidence and careful deliberation. This content will look at how and why things are done in disaster and emergency management, giving special attention to why different aspects are undertaken and what lessons can be learnt to improve our risk reduction, prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery activities.

The course will ensure you develop a sound working knowledge of the principles, practice, and underpinning policy within this important field of work.  You will develop valuable proficiencies in communication, leadership, and critical thinking as well as a wide range of academic, self-management, research, and project management skills.

The programme is delivered by enthusiastic subject specialists who are involved in significant advisory roles and research within emergency management locally, regionally, and nationally, and who participate in national communities of practice to develop and share expertise across the world. In addition, opportunities to understand the influence and involvement of a range of emergency management organisations is discussed and students have access to members of such bodies in support of their research and professional network building.

We understand that many students have concerns about improving their academic study skills. For this purpose, we include teaching and support to assist in developing writing and research skills as part of the taught sessions, building confidence and ability in these areas, and allowing you to complete your study.  You also gain full access to our Academic Skills Team who provide online sessions, resources, and support to assist you in enhancing your skills.

The course is offered full-time (12-15 months) and part-time (24-27 months).  

Those starting the MSc but only completing three or six modules at postgraduate certificate and/or diploma level can step off the MSc course and be awarded at the level they have completed up to.

You may also use the recognition of prior learning process to credit relevant previously achieved Level 7 credits towards a portion of the course.

Modules will be delivered fully online with pre-recorded delivery, guided reading and discussions within the virtual learning environment, plus individual tutorial sessions.  A significant amount of self-directed study will also form a major part of the course.  

Postgraduate Certificate Modules

7EP021 Foundations & Frameworks

This module provides an examination of the framework, legislation and guidance which forms the foundation of disaster/emergency management and resilience, exposing key lessons which can be applied into the field from countries around the world. You will also examine the principles of disaster and emergency management, discovering some of the complexities these present especially in the deployment of effective policy.

This module will also provide for the development of academic skills such as writing, referencing, reading, searching the literature, and thinking critically and creatively. This will enable you to obtain the most from your studies, enable you to engage in mastering subjects across the field, and demonstrate your knowledge and understanding through learning activities and assignments.

7EP022 Disaster : Understanding, Insight & Learning

This module will develop your key understanding and insight concerning emergencies/disasters, the foundational models and theories that underpin them, and the complexities and barriers concerning the learning and monitoring that should take place during and following such incidents.

7EP023 Communication, Information & Resilience

This module will enable you to gain insight into some of the complex issues associated with the management of information, communications, and decision making in Disaster/Emergency and Resilience Management. You will consider the issues in relation to the needs of communities and responders.

The implications of communication and information sources, reliability, and practical issues will be discussed, and the module will also allow you to develop your own communication and presentation skills.

Postgraduate Diploma Modules

7EP024 Research in Disaster/Emergency Management

The aim of this module is to provide you with knowledge of the research process and key concepts in order for you to be able to propose, conduct and write up the methodology for a research project within emergency management and/or resilience. You will develop key understanding concerning research design such as how to choose and justify a topic, how to write a research question, what methodology to use, how to collect and analyse data, and, of key importance, the consideration of ethical issues. As part of the assessment, you will design and produce a proposal for a research study to be carried out independently by you; mostly likely as part of your MSc Dissertation module.

7EP025 Societal Resilience

This module will enable you to gain insight into some of the complex issues associated with societal resilience.  You will gain different insights from different perspectives, contexts, and fields of study concerning resilience and disaster risk reduction strategies.

You will develop an understanding of the challenges and implications of resilience at a local, national, and global scale. 

7EP026 Contemporary Issues & the Future of Emergency Management

During this module you will study the impacts of existing management and leadership within disaster/emergency management and explore what requirements might be necessary to adapt to a changing world. You will cover subject areas such as standards/competencies, hazard and threat developments, paradigms, and professionalism.

Specific consideration will be given to the future of disaster/emergency management using evidence to carefully examine and analyse the likely influences and changes required. 

MSc Dissertation Module

7EP027 Emergency Management & Resilience Dissertation

This module will allow you to deploy research principles to investigate a specific area within the field of Emergency Management & Resilience. The module has a single assessment component, and this consists of your written research Dissertation based on your research project, both of which you must undertake independently. This module may work differently to others you may have studied. All content in the module is open to you when you start the module. However, you should work your way through it to familiarise yourself with everything and participate in discussions about key aspects of the dissertation.

Emergencies and disasters continue to occur globally.  Organisations across the world need to continually manage their ability to respond to, and recover from, a variety of emergencies/disasters within the context of current, legislation, guidance, and policy.  This can present challenges at the local, national, and international levels.  

Each major organisation will have in place a range of emergency/contingency plans that rely on advanced skills in risk management, emergency planning, communications, multi-agency co-operation, project management and leadership.  Most organisations have emergency planning departments/roles and career opportunities exist for working in the field of emergency management at local, national, and international levels. This course will give you those advanced underpinning skills, principles and concepts and enable you to engage with strategic, national, and international guidelines.

Participating in academic study at all levels will encourage analysis and criticality and hence will improve the opportunity for promotion and advancement. Successful completion of an academic qualification will facilitate students in providing a justification for progression. Alternatively, this may be an opportunity for you to move into this area of work or seek more advanced research opportunities on completion of your studies.

As the course is 100% online, it can be completed flexibly to fit around your own commitments.

Each module requires an average of 200 hours of study, which usually delivered over an 8 week period, with 2-3 micro lectures available each week. Taking responsibility for your learning means that you will have to organise your own time to ensure that you can engage with your studies.  In support of your studies and in line with the Student Engagement Policy you are expected to actively engage with online materials, tasks, and other activities.

We strive to make your time at the University of Wolverhampton a pleasurable experience and are proud of the support we provide to our students. We recognise that on occasions you may encounter challenges, especially if you are also employed in full or part-time work whilst you study. Flexibility to assist you is provided wherever possible and our Ask Team are also available to provide advice and guidance.

We understand that many students have concerns about improving their academic study skills.  We include teaching and support to assist in developing study, writing and research skills as part of the taught sessions, building confidence and ability in these areas, and allowing you to complete your studies.

Our Library provides online support and sessions related to developing your academic skills which focus on aspects of skills for academic success.

Please see this course on the main University website for more information, for details of costs, and to submit your application.

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