Crowded Places and Public Safety Management MSc/PGCert

Postgraduate
Conversion course

Aerial view of a crowd marching holding placards.

Equip yourself with the skills to manage risk, safety and security in crowded places and public events. Learn how to tackle complex challenges in crowded place management.

Year of entry

2024-25 2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time

Duration

1 year full-time
2 years part-time

Course code

MSc: EECT031
PGCert: EECT032

Start date

September 2025
January 2026
May 2026

How to apply

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Course overview

In the current global environment, the challenges of keeping people safe are greater than ever – whether that’s planning for international mega events or managing regional entertainment venues.

Learn about the laws and social factors that impact crowd safety and emergency management and explore new technologies and current safety challenges in the industry.
Explore practical solutions to improve crowd safety management and enhance organisational resilience.
Enhance your ability to assess complex situations, create innovative solutions, and apply lessons learned.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 9th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

This course explores crowd safety, covering prevention, planning, and response to crowded place emergencies. You’ll analyse technical data, best practices in emergency planning, and crisis management to develop a well-rounded understanding of the field.
You’ll study behavioural theory and leadership at both organisational and individual levels, while developing the interpersonal skills needed to deliver training initiatives and manage diverse teams effectively.
Our current teaching team has practical experience in crowd safety management and related fields, including emergency planning for mass gatherings, risk mapping, evacuation frameworks, command and control design, and managing simulated emergency exercises.
Dedicated support is available for those new to Higher Education or returning after a break. The Centre for Academic Writing offers online and in-person tutorials for all students.
You may have opportunities to take part in training and exercises through simulated emergency scenarios in our immersive Simulation Centre.⁴

Accreditation and professional recognition

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

As part of this course, you will undertake a professional development module which is currently accredited by the Chartered Management Institute for the 2025-26 intake. Upon successful completion of this module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost. Further details can be found under the modules and on the Professional Development module web page. Please visit the CMI website for full details on the CMI accreditation.

Coventry University’s accreditation with CMI is currently ongoing for the relevant modules and is regularly reviewed and monitored by the CMI through their quality systems.

What you'll study

MSc modules cover the complete cycle of crowd safety risk management, from planning and assessing risks in crowded places to creating management and business continuity plans. You will also learn to develop communication plans for public safety, and approaches to leadership, information sharing, and collaborating with emergency responders during crises.

PGCert modules focus on evolving methods in crowd science and technology, risk management, leadership in complex situations, and emergency management.

Modules

Supporting Transition to Postgraduate Study – 0 credits (MSc and PGCert)

This regular online module is designed to support your transition to postgraduate education by developing academic skills to improve your effectiveness as a learner. It’s especially helpful if you're new to Higher Education or returning after a break. The module covers areas such as critical reading, academic writing, and referencing skills.

Compulsory

Emergency Planning for Public Safety and Security – 15 credits (MSc and PGCert)

This module provides a critical understanding of strategies for emergency and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Learn to design, implement, test, and evaluate plans for natural, social, and technological hazards, with a focus on public safety in crowded spaces.

Compulsory

Managing Crowded Places – 15 credits (MSc and PGCert)

Explore the factors shaping crowded places, including their design, management, and vulnerabilities. You’ll examine crowds as complex socio-technical systems, applying a risk-based approach to improve planning. Topics include crowd science, command and control, coordination, communication, and technology use.

Compulsory

Public Safety and Security – 15 credits (MSc and PGCert)

Risk, Incidents and Leadership – 15 credits (MSc and PGCert)

Training and Exercise Design and Delivery – 15 credits (MSc only)

This module aims to provide you with the skills to plan, design, and manage training exercises for disaster and crisis management. Explore preparedness, resilience, and training methods, helping you assess and apply training principles while covering exercise evaluation, learning outcomes, and project management.

Compulsory

Foresight, Insight and Strategy – 15 credits (MSc only)

Explore strategies for long-term planning in a world of uncertainty. This module focuses on flexible approaches to global trends like climate change and social justice, using modern techniques and systems thinking to plan for future actions and meet evolving stakeholder needs.

Compulsory

Research Perspectives and Practices – 15 credits (MSc only)

Develop skills in critical evaluation, research design, and data collection to assess practices and policies in emergency and crisis fields. Learn methods like surveys, archival research, interviews, and quantitative analysis, while exploring research ethics and dissemination.

Compulsory

Business Continuity and Crisis Management – 15 credits (MSc only)

Evaluate internal and external risks and apply effective risk management within organisations. This module covers adapting to complex, dynamic risks and managing incidents that impact political, economic, social, and environmental areas, focusing on communication and media management.

Compulsory

Professional Working Paper – 50 credits (MSc only)

Identify a key issue within the crowded places sector and explore solutions using theoretical approaches. With guidance from a supervisor, you’ll produce an industry-focused paper that researches, evaluates evidence, and recommends changes, tackling potential barriers at various levels.

Compulsory

Leading Diverse Workforces – 10 credits (MSc only)

Understand how to lead and develop people in a diverse and inclusive way. You will explore topics such as leadership theories, culture, wellbeing, and strategies for improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in various organisational settings. You will also have the opportunity to develop strategic priorities for leadership and inclusivity. Upon successful completion of the module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

All modules are designed to offer the depth and rigor necessary for professional growth, reflection, and networking within this sector.

Delivery is supported by our online social learning platform, allowing you to revisit classroom content and find additional materials. You also have access to our library's electronic resources 24/7, including thousands of books, ejournals and newspapers.

Teaching and learning methods may include:

seminars and discussion
practical sessions and workshops
simulation exercises
study visits.²

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module. Assessment methods may include:

reports
proposals and business cases
presentations
projects
coursework
individual assignments.

The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

An undergraduate degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent), or relevant work experience and/or a relevant professional development qualification.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical requirements

An undergraduate degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent), or relevant work experience and/or a relevant professional development qualification.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£11,200 (MSc) \| £3,733 (PGCert)	Request fee information
EU	£11,200 MSc per year with EU Support Bursary £18,600 (MSc) \| £6,200 (PGCert) per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£18,600 (MSc) \| £6,200 (PGCert)	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

The Simulation Centre is our interactive training centre. It includes a ‘virtual’ construction site with fully equipped site cabins and an observation deck. Here, you can take part in role-play exercises to prepare you for a range of situations in the workplace.

People walking in front of a building which has a big library sign

Lanchester Library

The library is usually open 24/7, in term-time. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.

Glass modern building with a spire in the background

The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student life on campus. Facilities include a food court, convenience store, multi-faith centre, medical centre, hairdresser, coffee shops and the Your SU offices. It has fully licensed function spaces and a bar.

Two people working together with a laptop in front of them

Careers and employability

Get one-on-one career and employability guidance lasting up to 36 months from the end of your course. We’ll help you find placements and graduate roles, offer CV and application checks, mentoring, skills workshops, employer events and more.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

Successful graduates could work in a range of organisations with crowded places duties, including venue and stadia management, the uniformed services, private security management, and the live events, transport and retail sectors.

The course aims to support the development of your skills in problem-solving, teamwork and leadership, project management and communication. We strive to produce graduates who can make difficult decisions whilst being culturally sensitive, ethical and compassionate.

On successful completion of this course, you will have:

comprehensive knowledge of how to evaluate risk, its components and influencing factors, approaches to assessment, prioritisation and role in planning and managing crowded places
an in-depth knowledge of policy and approaches for mitigating, preparing for and managing crowded places for the private sector, responding agencies and organisations and other affected stakeholders
a thorough comprehension of approaches to assessing complexity and interaction, and developing, monitoring and evaluating processes, systems and organisations within the sector from known and emergent threats in a sustainable way
a detailed analysis of multi-stakeholder engagement, communication, co-operation and governance in all aspects of policy and strategy, implementation and management at all scales
an ability to manage information, evaluate uncertainty, ambiguity and complexity in knowledge, method and management, and make appropriate and defensible decisions
a critical awareness of issues and challenges at the forefront of research and practice in crowded places and public safety
an ability to evaluate and use appropriate methods of enquiry and analysis, and progress good practice in the discipline over the course of their career
the skills demanded to research, evaluate high level material to produce an independent working paper that meets ethical requirements of the university, synthesises both academic and sector perspectives and presents findings and recommendations in a professional way.

Where our graduates work

Opportunities exist globally within:

crowd management and public safety
emergency services
security and safety sector
multi-lateral organisations
national and local government
risk and resilience consultancies
research and further study.

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online.

Full-time applications

Full-time applications - any start date

Part-time applications

September 2025 start date

January or May 2026 start date

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Please read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degrees view our International hub.

You can also download our international mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Where relevant, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) module content is undergoing assessment by the CMI to confirm that all criteria are met to the required standard. Whilst it is expected that students who successfully pass the module will be eligible to be considered by CMI for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice as an additional qualification, we cannot confirm this until the accreditation is approved. This is a normal part of the continuous improvement process for our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.

²UK 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 unpaid and/or 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, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.