Emergency Preparedness and Management PGCert

Postgraduate

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The Emergency Preparedness and Management PGCert course is designed to give you the knowledge, skills and competencies necessary to fulfil duties that fall upon organisations arising from civil contingencies legislation and other aligned civil defence duties in similar international contexts.

Year of entry

2024-25 2025-26

Location

100% online study

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time

Duration

1 year full-time
2 years part-time

Course code

EECT137

Start date

January 2025
May 2025

Apply now

Enquire now

Discount

Online Learning

Course overview

This Emergency Preparedness and Management PGCert course caters to those within emergency response looking to further their skills in emergency planning, incident management and training development and delivery.

Studied 100% online, the course aims to provide you with the academic understanding underpinning best practice planning, policy and process so that you can go on to devise effective emergency preparedness and management of your own.

Course content covers important legal and socio-political frameworks within emergency and incident management, as well as emerging technological solutions and the contemporary safety and threat environments that impact on 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 qualification.

The part-time route allows those already employed in crowd safety, health and safety, and security management to balance their studies with other commitments and apply academic rigour to their practical experience.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 11th 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

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, you will cover and critically appraise relevant technical data, information, and best practices 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 preparedness and management and allied professions. This includes command and control design, the design and management of simulated emergency exercises, emergency planning, risk mapping and the preparation of response frameworks for mass evacuation (staff subject to change).

What you'll study

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 and early recovery considerations. Develop high-level analytical, decision-making and communication skills and make a difference in the organisation where you work.

Modules

Risk, Incidents and Leadership - 15 credits

This module aims to develop 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. It will use models, theories and simulations to critically evaluate the challenges for leadership and decision-making within the constraints of some command and control practices.

Incidents are recognised as vital opportunities for learning lessons but there are 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.

The module will focus on the composition and structure of emergency and disaster plans, policies and practices. This includes consideration and evaluation of the various organisational, institutional and legal frameworks that influence emergency preparedness, and consideration of wider social and technological factors that can affect emergency and disaster planning at the local, sub-national, national and international levels.

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 high-income countries. 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.

An analysis of the concept of Integrated Emergency Management and its implications for the duties of the Civil Contingencies Act will be a particular area of focus. The module will facilitate your understanding of issues relevant to emergency management and will equip you with the knowledge to assess and evaluate emergency management practice in the UK and other high-income countries, in order that you may understand factors relevant to the effectiveness of emergency arrangements.

Compulsory

Training and Exercise Design and Delivery - 15 credits

The aim of the module is to facilitate your competence to plan, design, and manage an exercise in the context of disaster, crisis and emergency management. The module will place exercises in the wider context of preparedness and organisational resilience, examine theories and approaches to training and exercising.

In addition, the module aims to equip you with the skills to critically assess and evaluate generic principles of training and apply them to training needs for disaster, crisis and emergency management. In addition, approaches to the evaluation of exercises and associated learning will be developed. The demands of training and exercising for Integrated Emergency Management will be analysed so you may understand the application to a multi-agency context. The project management requirements for managing and organising exercises are also examined.

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

Study 100% online

This course is studied completely online via our digital learning environment. It can be studied as a full-time postgraduate certificate programme over three semesters in one year, or on a part-time basis. Our platform provider is currently Aula.

This course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Request further information about the part-time study.

When studying online you will have access to a complete set of online learning materials delivered through our approved platforms. The learning materials contain all the essential teaching you will need to complete your course and undertake your assessments. You also have access to our library's electronic resources 24/7, including thousands of books, ejournals and newspapers.

In addition to the learning assets, you will have the support of an Associate Lecturer. The Associate Lecturer will undertake weekly live sessions (recorded for those unable to attend). These sessions will be seminar based, discussing the learning materials, giving clarity, depth and direction to your learning.

The Associate Lecturer will also offer fortnightly one-to-one surgeries for any individual requirements and will be available for questions on platform and via email.

Prefer to study with time on campus? Click here to view our on campus course.

Teaching contact hours

You will study modules totalling 60 credits each academic year.

A typical 15-credit module requires a total of 150 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

During your studies, you can expect two teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with an Associate Lecturer 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’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods may include:

essays
group work
presentations
reports
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:

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 entry requirements

A 2:2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in any discipline. Applicants with a lower class of degree and/or professional experience only will be individually considered and will usually be interviewed prior to being offered a place on the course.

Opportunities for recognition of prior learning and experience (RPL/RPEL) on a case-by-case basis (evidence required). Please enquire to find out more.

Each application will be considered on its merits and the final decision will be made by the course director. For information regarding what might amount to a ‘relevant discipline’ and ‘relevant work experience/relevant professional development qualification’ please get in touch.

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.

General enquiries

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK and International	£4,517	Request fee information

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.

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 permits 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.

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.

Scholarships, bursaries and discounts

To help you as much as possible please click enquire to contact our admissions team. We offer a range of scholarships, bursaries and discounts. For more information, visit our enquire page.

*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

All students have access to these facilities in Coventry:

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The Library

You will benefit from our support designed to help you succeed and our industry-relevant teaching and resources. These include our modern library and computing facilities, dedicated careers advice and Your Students’ Union.

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The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student campus life. It's also home to the Student Wellbeing Centre, the Spirituality and Faith Centre, the Tank Studio, Student Success Coaches and the Enterprise Hub.

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

On successful completion, you should have:

a comprehensive evaluation of 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.

Our part-time students are often sponsored by their employers, and successful completion of this postgraduate level qualification could provide the credibility needed to progress in your organisation and career.

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, all of which are qualities employers demand. We strive to produce graduates who can make difficult decisions whilst being culturally sensitive, ethical and compassionate.

Our current teaching staff and the university’s career specialists, known as theTalent Team, can support your search for employment in the UK or overseas by making use of our alumni network, industrial contacts, careers events, recruitment fairs and individual advice (all subject to availability).

Where our graduates work

Opportunities exist globally within:

Emergency services and civil contingencies
Health service and epidemiology
Military
Utility and Critical National Infrastructure organisations
High risk industry – manufacturing, automotive, nuclear, oil and gas, aviation
Environmental Incident Response
Risk and crisis consultancy
Humanitarian agencies and NGOs
Security and events industries
Research and further study.

How to apply

UK and International students

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

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). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

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.

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. 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.