The course, delivered through both campus and online sessions, is ideal for those who have an understanding of current emergency planning or management practice and who are employed in delivering such services or a closely related field within their organisations.  Students with a degree in this area, or a related subject, will also be able to further their knowledge and understanding of both academic and practice issues within this highly diverse field of work.

You are eligible to apply if you work within an emergency responder organisation, a UK military service, a voluntary, commercial, or private organisation which has a role in supporting those organisations during an emergency or which delivers its own emergency or resilience functions. Such applicants should be working in, or aspiring to work within, the field of emergency management and/or resilience.

We understand that some professionally employed students have concerns about improving their academic study skills. 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.

Delivered as a hybrid mix of on-campus and live online delivery, this PGC/MSc course in Emergency Management & Resilience can be studied over 1, 2 or 3 Years to suit your requirements. 

The course has a strong focus on UK multi-agency emergency management, whilst developing awareness of international incidents, policy and research which have relevant lessons, impact, or global implications.  The course caters for professionals who may already be working in this field or those wishing to embark in such a career and who have transferable or existing knowledge and skills. The course is designed, delivered, and amended as necessary to support all students in having equal chance to succeed and progress in line with the University’s Inclusivity Framework.

This is an opportunity for you to develop master’s level education in the concepts, theories and academic skills surrounding emergency management, emergency preparedness, societal resilience, and recovery along with an understanding of how these are relevant, and can be applied, to current professional practice. 

The course aims to offer a flexible approach to the subjects studied and those already working in this area will be able to further develop their knowledge, skills and experience.  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 inter-personal, self-management, research, and project management skills. The course promotes personal responsibility and an awareness of others in relation to inclusivity, wellbeing, equity, and diversity.  A recognition of the critical role Emergency Management and Resilience plays in the global arena when considering the impact of managing, responding to, and recovering from hazards, risks, and threats is deeply embedded throughout the programme. Consideration of the importance of delivering solutions which consider individuals, environmental sustainability, the resilience of communities, societal stability, economics, and cultural perspectives are crucial foundations.

There are two available courses which you can apply for, and these are the:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Emergency Management & Resilience ; or
• MSc in Emergency Management & Resilience (which contains the Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma awards)

Those wishing to just study the Postgraduate Certificate will need to complete three modules at postgraduate level over one academic year.

Those wishing to study the MSc (which includes the Postgraduate Certificate & Postgraduate Diploma) will need to complete and pass all six modules at postgraduate certificate and diploma levels and also submit a Dissertation which achieves a passing grade in one of the three option modules. 

Part-time the MSc takes 2-3 years (as you can do your dissertation in year two at the same time as the three postgraduate diploma modules or leave this to do in a third year). 

Full-time the MSc take 12 – 15 months and is also available to international students whereas the part-time routes are not.

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.  Similarly, those starting the postgraduate certificate course can transfer to the full MSc at the end of their course instead of being awarded the postgraduate certificate.

Both courses are delivered with a mix of campus and online sessions commencing in October for a total of five attendance days per module.

Postgraduate Certificate Modules

7EP021 Foundations & Frameworks

This module provides an examination of the framework, legislation and guidance which forms the foundation of 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 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; most 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

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.

You can choose to undertake the dissertation module during the second year of the MSc, however, the dissertation module can also be started in a third year, separately to any other modules to allow for flexibility and for balancing work, life and study commitments.  Students can choose the option which best suits them.  Regardless, supervision is provided to assist you in undertaking your independent dissertation.

If you are obtaining financial support from your employer then students sometimes find that they can obtain backing more easily by ensuring that their dissertation is of benefit to their organisation.  The MSc is specifically designed to allow this whilst your university supervisor assists you in ensuring that any research you do will meet the academic requirements.

Emergencies and disasters continue to increase globally. Organisations across the UK including the National Health Service (NHS), the emergency services, local government, HM Armed Forces, voluntary organisations, and the private sector 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 of advanced skills in risk management, emergency planning, communications, multi-agency co-operation, project management and leadership. Most organisations have emergency planning departments and career opportunities exist for working in the field of emergency management at local, regional, and 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.

Students undertaking this course may already be working in the field of emergency planning /management or on the front line in accident and emergency services.  It is envisaged that students will develop strategic leadership skills and further their ability to work in multi-agency environments. The course is built upon thorough evidence and will enable students to gain the knowledge and skills to implement the strategies outlined in relevant legislation and other national policies and guidelines.

Many of our students go on to achieve new jobs and/or promotion as a result of their studies. Often this happens during their course not only after completion. 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 through the skills escalator and will often act as a catalyst to enable the student to pass through grade/band gateways. Alternatively, this may be an opportunity for you to move into this area of work on completion of your studies.

If studying part-time, you will usually study 3 modules per year. Each module has 5 days attendance delivered over 10 weeks on alternate Friday's, with two of these days being taught online through videoconferencing.  The other 3 days are delivered at our Telford Campus.  This equates to 15 Friday's each year. 

If studying full-time, you will usually study 6 modules per year and you will study 2 modules at a time. Each module has 5 days attendance delivered over 10 weeks on alternate Friday's, with two of these days being taught online through videoconferencing.  The other 3 days are delivered at our Telford Campus. You will attend on every Friday alternating between modules each week.

Whether full or part time, when you study your dissertation module there is a full day launch session which you will need to attend followed by monthly online drop-ins to support you and maintain contact whilst you undertake your research. You will also be able to meet with your supervisor at a schedule you agree with them as you proceed.

Please see the following section for a timetable of taught sessions.

Please find below a timetable of taught session for the course starting in October 2023.  (It is possible these dates/times may be altered should the need arise.)

MSc Year 1 / Postgraduate Certificate

Dates for year 2 of the PGD/MSc will be released as they are confirmed, however, these will usually follow the same pattern as the Year 1 dates above.

Please find below a timetable of taught session for the course starting in October 2023.  (It is possible these dates/times may be altered should the need arise.)

There are two options for studying the dissertation module.  Only one of these should be attended.

Part-time Study Fees

Part-time students studying the MSc course over 2 years will normally be charged half of the overall course fee each year (year 2 may be subject to an inflationary based increase).

Part-time students studying the MSc course over 3 years will normally pay one third of the overall course fee each year (year 2 and 3 may be subject to an inflationary based increase). 

Fees can be paid in full in the first year if preferred and this can avoid inflationary based increases when paying yearly.

If your organisation will be paying part or all of your fees, please provide a confirmation letter from your organisation confirming this either with your online application or to emrc@wlv.ac.uk.

Military personnel can use Enhanced Learning Credits towards payment for the course.   Our ELCAS registration number is 1332.

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 Student Advisors are also available to provide advice and guidance.

We understand that many students have concerns about improving their academic study skills, especially those with little higher education experience or for those returning to study. 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 in addition to the drop-in and group sessions on our campuses which focus on skills for academic study and writing.

Please see our Courses on the main University website for more information, for details of costs and to apply.

You can also contact us directly for an informal discussion about the course, the options open to you, and for us to answer any other questions you might have.

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