Emergency Preparedness and Management PGCert

Postgraduate
Conversion course

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Gain the knowledge, skills and competencies necessary to fulfil duties that fall upon organisations arising from civil contingencies legislation and other aligned civil defence duties.

Year of entry

2024-25 2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

EECT013

Start date

September 2025
January 2026
May 2026

How to apply

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Course overview

This course is designed for individuals involved in emergency response, focusing on developing skills in emergency planning, incident management and the creation and delivery of training and exercises.

Learn the academic foundation needed to analyse the elements of best-practice planning, policy, and processes so you can develop effective emergency incident management strategies.
The programme explores key legal and socio-political frameworks in emergency and incident management, examines emerging technological solutions and addresses current safety and threat challenges affecting the sector.
The four modules have been reviewed by external experts in the Civil Contingencies Secretariat (UK Cabinet Office) and meet the requirements of government and other organisations. Modules from this programme can be taken forward and count towards the Emergency Management and Resilience MSc.
Course content focuses on emergency management within a global context, drawing on case studies and the experience of agencies working in the UK, Europe, US, Canada and Australia.

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

Advance your skills in evaluating complex situations, developing creative and innovative solutions, and implementing lessons learned.
Course content is broad-based to reflect the multidisciplinary nature of the subject. For example, as well as being taught current and evolving techniques and tactics used to prevent, plan, prepare or respond to a wide range of emergencies, we will also cover and critically appraise relevant technical data and information, best practice in emergency planning and incident management.
Members of our current teaching team have practical experience and have carried out employment, consultancy and research in emergency and incident management and allied professions. This includes command and control design, the design and management of simulated emergency exercises, emergency planning, risk mapping, the preparation of response frameworks for mass evacuation, (staff subject to change).
There is dedicated support available for those who are new to Higher Education, or returning after a long break, with the Centre for Academic Writing’s programme of online and in person tutorials available to all students.
You may take part in training and exercises through simulated emergency scenarios in our immersive Simulation Centre.⁴

What you'll study

Further develop your skills and knowledge in assessing and managing dynamic risks, situational awareness and the role of human factors, incident leadership, evaluative approaches to planning, governance and public policy, interoperability, public response to emergencies, early recovery considerations. Develop high-level analytical, decision-making and communication skills and make an immediate difference in the organisation where you work.

Modules

Risk, Incidents and Leadership – 15 credits

Gain an in-depth understanding of a range of risk interpretations, and explore non-technical skills, minimisation techniques and leadership models that can be applied during incidents and crises. Use models and theories to critically evaluate the challenges for leadership and decision-making within the constraints of command-and-control practice. Incidents are recognised as vital opportunities for learning lessons but there are usually challenges to facilitating and leading the implementation of change; you will investigate ways in which these barriers and challenges can be overcome.

Compulsory

Emergency Planning and Preparedness – 15 credits

The aim of this module is to provide you with a critical understanding of the concepts, issues, processes and structures relevant to the development of effective strategies for preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies and disasters. You will engage with approaches to construct, implement, test and evaluate a range of emergency and disaster preparedness arrangements across a broad scope of natural, social and technological hazards.

Compulsory

Integrated Emergency Management: Policy and Issues – 15 credits

This module aims to equip you with the skills needed to analyse issues arising from the undertaking of activities to fulfil duties and responsibilities in relation to emergency management; and to enable you to acquire and apply knowledge and skills to prepare integrated arrangements for dealing with emergencies in the UK and other More Economically Developed Countries (MEDCs). Theories and concepts relevant to emergency management, including the role of the state and public policy, will be analysed to allow you to critically assess and evaluate emergency management policy and practice.

Compulsory

Training and Exercise Design and Delivery – 15 credits

Explore how to plan, design, and manage exercises and exercise programmes for disaster, crisis, and emergency management. This module highlights the role of exercises in preparedness and organisational resilience, exploring theories and methods for training and evaluation. You will assess training principles, tailor them to emergency management needs, and learn to evaluate exercises and the lessons they provide. The module also covers project management skills required to organise and oversee these exercises effectively.

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

Our modules are designed to provide both the depth and rigour required for development, reflection and networking in this sector.

Delivery is supported by our innovative online social learning platform, allowing you to undertake substantial parts of your study at home so you can 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

Prefer to study 100% online? Click here to view our 100% online course.

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

Assessment methods may include:

reports
proposals and business cases
presentations
projects
coursework
individual assignments.

The 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.

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.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international pre-master's. Upon successful completion our International Pre-Master's - Engineering will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this postgraduate degree.

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	£3,733	Not available
International	£6,200	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.

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

Our Simulation Centre allows you to experience a range of emergency scenarios. You will use it to gain practical, hands-on experience of the impact these situations can have, enabling you to develop your ability to respond by creating suitable plans and policies.

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

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.

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.

On successful completion, you should have:

a comprehensive knowledge of how to evaluate risk, its components and influencing factors, approaches to assessment, prioritisation and role in planning, managing and recovering from crises and emergencies.
detailed knowledge of policy and approaches for mitigating, preparing for, managing and recovering from emergencies or crises for responding agencies and organisations and affected communities.
a thorough comprehension of approaches to assessing complexity and interaction and developing, monitoring and evaluating resilience in processes, systems, organisations and communities at risk 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 development, 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.

Where our graduates work

Opportunities exist globally within:

emergency services and civil contingencies
health service and epidemiology
the military
utility and critical national infrastructure organisations
high risk industries – manufacturing, automotive, nuclear, oil and gas and aviation
environmental incident response
risk and crisis consultancies
humanitarian agencies and NGOs
security and events industries.

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online. Please read the entry criteria page before applying.

Start your application

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.