Disaster and Emergency Management, BSc (Hons)

Course summary

As the world faces an increasing number of natural and anthropogenic disasters as well as complex emergencies such as climate change, food insecurity and conflict, the need for effective disaster risk reduction and management has become a global challenge. This course is aimed at those with little or no experience of the sector but with a strong vocation to work to improve the capacity and capability of those at risk and supporting organisations. Our annual intake makes for healthy class sizes.

• Disaster and emergency management professionals play a critical role in lessening the impact of human, technological and environmental catastrophes. Professionals work with numerous partners to quickly and accurately assess situations and communities affected, advising on all aspects of response and recovery, as well as future prevention or management strategies.

• Multidisciplinary in nature, this course draws on aspects of technology, physical science, engineering, sociology and human geography. We also place considerable emphasis on the acquisition of practical skills – from table-top or virtual emergency response scenarios, to laboratory exercises and field-based management of disaster, both in the UK (with Outreach Rescue) and overseas through two mandatory international field trip modules.*

• This course is designed to equip you with the necessary knowledge to identify, critically analyse, assess, respond to and recover from a growing range of crisis, emergency and disaster situations and to operate confidently in practitioner, policy and management sectors.

Key Course BenefitsWe work with partner agencies across many sectors to develop exciting practical emergency and disaster simulation exercises in our unique Simulation Centre, and our classrooms. These exercises and other interactive sessions form a major part of the teaching and learning on this programme, with sessions running in every year of the course in this manner. 

• The course also includes guest lectures, site visits and field trip practical activities in the UK and internationally allowing students to witness disaster risks and reduction measures in a range of contexts from a variety of organisations who are undertaking this work in the field.  (Subject to availability)

• Have an opportunity to participate in or design an emergency exercise in the University’s Simulation Centre

• Participate in interactive classroom sessions which may include visiting guest speakers from industry, table-top exercises etc (subject to availability)

• Undertake fieldwork to better understand the risks and challenges faced by communities and disaster and emergency responders in the face of a range of natural and anthropogenic risk situations.

• Be supported by a scheduled series of academic personal tutorials

• Be supported to develop their employability and self-marketing skills

*UK and international opportunities Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

Modules

Year OneIn your first year, you will be introduced to the key terms, models and frameworks in disaster and emergency management and planning, reviewing established practice and academic literature. ModulesGlobal Environmental IssuesResearch/Practical Toolkit Fundamentals of Disaster and Emergency ManagementDMEP for Specialised Industries Project and Cost ManagementSustainable EnvironmentsYear TwoIn Year two, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with risk and preparedness, sustainable environments in society, and urban design for resilient communities, amongst others.ModulesFieldwork and Research ApplicationsRisk and PreparednessOrganisational ResilienceTraining, Testing, Exercising and SimulationUrban Design for Resilient CommunitiesSustainable Environments in SocietyPlacement YearThere’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement* can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future. If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee* of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.Final YearIn Year three, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with ethics, governance and resilience, building resilient communities, and formulating, evaluating and reshaping professional practice, amongst others. Building Resilient CommunitiesTowards a Sustainable FutureEthics, Governance and ResilienceFormulating, Evaluating and Reshaping Professional PracticeResearch DissertationGlobal and Comparative Field StudiesFor more information about what you will study, please visit our website.

Assessment method

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.Assessment methods can include:Formal examinationsPhase testsEssaysGroup workPresentationsReportsProjectsCourseworkExamsIndividual AssignmentsLaboratoriesThe Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

---

Year One In your first year, you will be introduced to the key terms, models and frameworks in disaster and emergency management and planning, reviewing established practice and academic literature. Modules Global Environmental Issues Research/Practical Toolkit Fundamentals of Disaster and Emergency Management DMEP for Specialised Industries Project and Cost Management Sustainable Environments Year Two In Year two, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with risk and preparedness, sustainable environments in society, and urban design for resilient communities, amongst others. Modules Fieldwork and Research Applications Risk and Preparedness Organisational Resilience Training, Testing, Exercising and Simulation Urban Design for Resilient Communities Sustainable Environments in Society Placement Year There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement* can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future. If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee* of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement. Final Year In Year three, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with ethics, governance and resilience, building resilient communities, and formulating, evaluating and reshaping professional practice, amongst others. Building Resilient Communities Towards a Sustainable Future Ethics, Governance and Resilience Formulating, Evaluating and Reshaping Professional Practice Research Dissertation Global and Comparative Field Studies For more information about what you will study, please visit our website.