Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management MSc, by distance learning
2 - 2.5 years
No business is risk free. No societies are immune from the impact of natural hazard and crisis. Drawing on risk, crisis, development and management theories, this degree explores effective management and mitigation measures and equips you with how to tackle real-world problems professionally.
Course information
UK fee £13,250
International fee £13,250
Taught by School of Business
Admissions enquiries
+44 (0)116 252 5281
Submit a course enquiry
Course enquiries
+44 (0)116 252 5108
ulsb@le.ac.uk
Course description
Course description
Global warming, climate change, environmental disasters, and terror threats present significant and growing threats to societies. Disasters, crises and risks cause social, economic, financial, natural and physical disruption that often most severely affect the poor and vulnerable. The ‘messiness’ that risks, crisis and disasters create requires complex solutions to mitigate impact. Being able to manage and mitigate these threats is now seen by the United Nations as a globally valuable skill, enshrined in their three frameworks - the Sustainable Development Goals (2015-2030), the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) and the Paris Protocol (2015-2020).
Identifying interconnections between these frameworks and putting them into practice to achieve sustainable outcomes in complex situations can be challenging for practitioners and responders. This highly inter-disciplinary degree aims to develop your confidence, as a frontline practitioner/responder, to improve practice, alleviate poverty, reduce systemic risk, and in so doing, assert leadership in this field.
Within your programme you'll undertake various methods of assessment individually such as reflective essays and reports and also work with peers to undertake compulsory group work such as article reviews and an emergency response plan.
In addition to learning the risk, crisis and disaster management theories that underpin the UN’s Frameworks, the course will provide you with the skills and confidence to plan and execute research and engage in global debates with confidence. To achieve this, you will be supported in developing skills in evaluating information critically, communicating ideas clearly, undertaking advanced conceptual analysis, using information sources effectively, reporting and interpreting research critically, and developing new approaches to problem-solving.
We have over 30 years experience of offering distance learning education that gives you the flexibility to fit your study around existing commitments and enhance your career prospects without having to leave employment, as well as the opportunity to build your global network.
With our programme you have the choice of completing your studies in two or two and a half years. In the standard two and half year model you will study all of the modules sequentially before moving onto your dissertation. In our accelerated two-year model you will study module one before studying modules two and three simultaneously, before going on to study to your fourth module and then your dissertation.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
A good honours degree in a relevant field (2:2 or above, from a recognised HE institution) or its equivalent or at least three years of work experience in a related field plus completion of a practice assignment.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in October 2025 or April 2026
- MSc: £13,250
Find out more about how to pay and scholarships and funding. A Sanctuary Scholarship is available on this course for refugees/asylum seekers and their dependants.
Did you know you can apply for a Government Postgraduate Loan? Find out if you're eligible.
International Students
Starting in October 2025 or April 2026
- MSc: £13,250
Find out more about how to pay and scholarships and funding. A Sanctuary Scholarship is available on this course for refugees/asylum seekers.
Accreditation
Accreditation
This course is accredited by The Institute of Risk Management (IRM). Once you graduate you will be entitled to exemption from all six modules of the International Diploma in Risk Management.
You can apply for GradIRM membership after you graduate, and if you have three or more years of relevant experience you can upgrade to Certified Membership.
This is a great opportunity for you to be part of the risk profession and community, as well as continuing with your lifelong learning.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Our distance learning courses are designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge to understand recent developments in risk and emergency management, at a local, national and global level.
The programme attracts students who have careers in fields similar to risk, crisis, disaster management and development and look to this masters to enhance and develop skills to progress their professional and career development. The programme is designed to promote independent learning to help you manage your work life and studies.
A postgraduate distance learning qualification from the University of Leicester is career changing. It can be the springboard to promotion with your current employer, the platform to move into a new area or to simply become more effective in your current role.
Studying by distance learning has the benefit of allowing you to develop your career without having to leave employment. It also means that you can apply new knowledge and insights to your working life while you are still studying – many students choose to tackle work-related topics in their dissertations.
Professional Support
Our dedicated School of Business Careers Team will support you to develop both personally and professionally.
Working closely with the programme team, we aim to equip you with the tools and knowledge to maximise career progression and business impact.
Our career and professional development support includes:
Business-Focused Events
We work closely with business contacts to give you opportunities to interact with industry professionals and alumni and gain insights into a wide range of business areas including sector insights, leadership essentials and journeys along a variety of potential careers paths. Through events, including our Career Development Exhibition, Investment Conference and Management Conference, you will have the opportunity to network with business representatives at all levels from SMEs to large corporates. Previous organisations represented have included J P Morgan, Santander, Lloyds, GSK, Goldman Sachs, Boots, NatWest, DPD, British Gas, National Grid, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Cummins, LinkedIn, Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ericsson and M&C Saatchi.
Career and Professional Development Resource
Our on-line resources contain a wealth of resources to inform and guide you at every stage of your career journey. There are links to available opportunities, upcoming careers and employability events, awards and competitions, together with recordings of careers sessions and seminars. A selection of interviews with industry professionals and University alumni provides a first-hand insight into a range of business sectors and career success stories. You will also find resources to support you in skills and career planning, including CV and application advice and interview tips.
Career Hub @ Brookfield
If you are ever visiting Leicester, our Career Hub @ Brookfield is open daily. The Hub provides an opportunity to talk about all things careers and employability-related and signpost you to available opportunities and further areas of support.
Business Start-up and Enterprise Support
We offer support if you are considering starting your own business, are in the early stages of business or how have an established business you wish to develop. Support includes events, online resources and our Entrepreneurs in Residence programme.
Lifelong Support
Our careers support to you is lifelong and continues even after you have completed your studies and we have welcomed you into our alumni community.
Our award winning University Careers and Employability Team is here to support you – by email, phone or skype – with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience and more. From registration to graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.
Course structure
Core modules
Core modules
- Theories of Risk, Crisis and Disasters
- Disaster Risk Reduction and International Development
- Managing Risk, Crisis and Disasters
- Emergency Planning Management
- Research Methods and Project (Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management)
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
Our Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management course is accredited by the Institute of Risk Management (IRM). You'll gain exemptions for a professional qualification and apply for graduate membership of IRM.
You have the flexibility and choice to study an accelerated or standard route through the programme, choosing to complete your studies in two or two and a half years. Whichever route you choose the total course fee is the same and you can change your mind when you start the programme.
Our teaching is inspired by the findings from our cutting-edge research. Lecturing staff have a wide array of research interests ranging from international development and the securitisation of risk to flight-deck human factors and nuclear safety.
We are a signatory of the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative through which we provide future leaders with the necessary insights and skills to reflect upon, critically analyse and provide leadership with regard to risk, crisis, disaster, and development management for sustainability.
Teaching and learning
Teaching
You will be able to study by flexible learning through the use of video lectures, Collaborate software for seminars, discussion forums on Blackboard, Teams for meetings and email. You will have online access to materials to support each module, and you will also work with your fellow students.
You will receive support throughout the course from a group of dedicated support staff available through our virtual learning environment, Blackboard, and via email. You will be provided with a timetable and key study targets to enable effective time management. Tutors will always be available to you to discuss any aspects of your study either by phone or email.
In addition, module one opens with academic writing and language skills which will provide an introduction to studying online within higher education, and will prepare students who do not have a prior academic background to develop their academic writing skills.
You will be invited to attend our Leicester Masterclass held on campus at the University. This week-long programme of lectures, activities and workshops takes place every August/September and is open to students on any School of Business distance learning course at any point in their studies.
Each module on the programme lasts 24 weeks.
Distance Learning
The programme is flexible in its format with the materials provided in advance. The materials will utilise media to provide an enriched student experience. Therefore, it is essential that you have reliable, regular access to the internet (preferably with a broadband connection) in order to participate.
As a flexible distance learning student, you will have access to the University Library's electronic service, the Leicester Digital Library, which includes a large number of e-journals and e-books. You are also welcome to join campus-based activities (by prior arrangement) at any time.
If you live close to Leicester you can, of course, visit the Library and the School of Business facilities in person. For UK-based students who wish to use other libraries, we can issue you with a card which allows you to do so. This is a national scheme which allows distance learning students to borrow material from up to three other participating libraries.
Assessment
All modules have more than one assessment component, allowing feedback on the first to be used to develop and enhance learning for subsequent assessment.
You will be assessed through a variety of methods including online multiple-choice tests, essays, briefs, incident reports, emergency response plans plus your proposal and dissertation. Some assessments will be individual and some will be group work.
Key dates
Start date: 7 April 2025
Application deadline for April 2025 start: 17 March 2025
Start date: 6 October 2025
Application deadline for October 2025 start: TBD
Start date: 6 April 2026
Application deadline for April 2026 start: TBD
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | Start Dates | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management | Qualification MSc | Duration 2 years by distance learning | Start Dates April and October each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management | Qualification MSc | Duration 30 months by distance learning | Start Dates April and October each year | Availability Apply Now |
