Disaster and Emergency Management

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 Benefits

We 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.

Coventry University, part of Coventry University Group, is a modern, globally connected university with a mission to create better futures. Founded in 1843 through innovation and enterprise, they continue to work closely with industry to equip their graduates with the real-world skills and creative thinking they need to make a difference.

Coventry is also a Top 5 Student City in England (QS Best Student Cities Index 2026), and they guarantee accommodation if you apply through Clearing. With campuses across Coventry, London, Scarborough, Dagenham, and Greenwich, you can choose to study where it suits you best.

They're rated overall Gold in TEF 2023, recognising the quality of their teaching and student experience. From academic and wellbeing support to their Phoenix+ programme of employability activities and dedicated Success Coaches, they’re with you every step of the way.