Disaster and Emergency Management BSc (Hons)

 

Course Code

UCAS Code: N252
International Code: EECU065

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

 

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

Start date

September 2022

How to apply
Book an Open Day
Download a prospectus
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Course overview

Study level: Undergraduate

Disaster and Emergency Management BSc (Hons) 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.

  • 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.
  • Upon successful completion of this course, you could be involved in dealing with a broad range of situations including environmental disasters (floods, hurricanes, earthquakes); technological disasters (industrial accidents, large-scale fires, transport disruption); complex emergencies (conflict, pandemics) or business continuity and risk.
  • This course clearly reflects today’s focus on community-practitioner engagement, sustainability, disaster risk reduction and resilience.
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Global Ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities
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Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
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Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

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*. You will have the opportunity to examine theory and practice in a range of countries, benchmarking approaches in the UK with, for example, those in mainland Europe, Asia and North America, together with relevant international legislation.

  • Coventry University was the first UK university to establish courses in disaster management and emergency planning over 20 years ago (Hulse & Moseley 1998). Since introducing these first courses, we have continued to develop and adapt courses as the sector, and the wider world within which we work, has evolved.
  • This course is mapped against the UK National Resilience Standards, National Occupational Standards in Civil Contingencies and Charter for Humanitarian Standards.

What you'll study

This course clearly reflects today’s focus on community-practitioner engagement, sustainability, disaster risk reduction and resilience.

Upon successful completion of this course, you could be involved in dealing with a broad range of situations including environmental disasters (floods, hurricanes, earthquakes); technological disasters (industrial accidents, large-scale fires, transport disruption); complex emergencies (conflict, pandemics) or business continuity and risk.

In your first year with us you will be introduced to the key terms, models and frameworks in disaster and emergency management and planning, reviewing established practice and academic literature. You will consider a varied range of pivotal disaster and emergency case studies, both from the UK and overseas, to illustrate the interaction of factors that influence hazards, threats, vulnerability and risk.

Modules

  • This module considers the building blocks of disaster. The module will introduce key terminologies for considering disaster beginning with hazard, risk, vulnerability, capacity etc. Means of differentiation between different disasters will be debated.

    Compulsory

  • The module aims to introduce you to key knowledge and skills for meaningful engagement with disaster/emergency response and humanitarian work.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of the module is to provide an introduction to the management of emergencies. The module will emphasise approaches to response in the UK, but also make comparison to other countries such as the US.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of the module is to provide an introduction to management principles and to organisational structures, cultures, leadership theories, and behaviour both generically and in the context of emergency and disaster organisations.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of the module is to enable you to further develop your skills as an independent learner and to provide an opportunity for in-depth study of a topic area related to the course that particularly interests you.

    Compulsory

  • You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: coursework, exam

The second year of the course provides you with the opportunity to analyse ways in which risk can be mitigated, reduced, and prepared for. Processes and practice are considered from both higher and lower income contexts.

Modules

  • The aim of the module is to enable you to analyse the statutory duties, and statutory and non-statutory guidance relevant to emergencies and planning approaches in comparable systems.

    Compulsory

  • This module attempts to address the causes and perceptions of risk and the notion of risk appetite and acceptability of risk. It also covers theoretical principles of risk management, including risk assessment methods and tools.

    Compulsory

  • This module will, with the use of relevant case studies, examine and define a deeper understanding of the principles, practices, terminologies and theories associated with incident command, business continuity and crisis management from both national and international perspectives.

    Compulsory

  • This module provides the opportunity to conduct an extended study of a given context where issues relating to disasters/emergencies need to be considered and propose a holistic solution to the issues present.

    Compulsory

  • The prime purpose of the module is to enhance your professional, academic and cultural awareness by undertaking studies relevant to your discipline in a non-UK setting.

    Compulsory

  • Through the investigation of a simulated scenario, you will develop an understanding of the process for assessing a site in terms of its ground and environmental conditions, any risks to the built environment and how they can be mitigated, water supply and flood hazard mitigation, public health and sanitation issues.

    Compulsory

  • You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: coursework, exam

Following your second year, you will have an option to apply for a one-year professional work placement or to study abroad*. Many of our students choose to do this, and it is a great opportunity to put into practice all the skills and knowledge you have acquired on your course so far.

If you wish to undertake the optional study abroad/placement year, you will take either the Professional Placement module or the Study Abroad module which both typically run for a full academic year between years 2 and 3 of your course. You are normally able to progress onto the relevant module if you have successfully completed the first two years of the course (i.e. having accumulated 240 credits) and have a confirmed opportunity two weeks prior to the start of the academic year. However, we encourage international students to confirm their placements earlier to ensure they are able to meet any applicable visa requirements.

Students opting for either the professional placement or study abroad module will be registered on a non-credit bearing module. Whilst the modules do not bear credits, they do require completion of marked activities reflecting on your placement/study abroad or work placement experience. Following successful completion of the activities, the module selected will appear on your final academic transcript. Students will thus graduate with 360 credits in total, assuming successful completion of their final year.

Modules

  • Optional

  • Optional

The final year of the course provides you with the opportunity to consider higher-level theoretical perspectives and their application to practice. In addition, you will evaluate the strategic, policy and governance challenges to mainstreaming disaster risk management and resilience holistically and sustainably in a rapidly changing world.

Modules

  • This module aims to evaluate the chronological development of our understanding and use of the terms ‘community’ and ‘resilience’ and relate it to concepts and practice in community preparedness, recovery and reconstruction.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to give students in disaster management and linked disciplines the opportunity to extend fieldwork skills, methodologies and techniques by field study in a non-UK setting.

    Compulsory

  • This module critically examines current threats and emerging risks posing the potential to collectively undermine the fundamental stability and functioning of inter/national political, societal, environmental, and technological systems.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to enable you to develop your research skills by conducting primary or secondary research focused on a specific problem of relevance to your discipline.

    Compulsory

  • The module aims to equip you with knowledge around governance systems associated with emergencies and humanitarian response.

    Compulsory

  • You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: coursework, exam

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

We firmly believe in learning by doing, so you will regularly undertake fieldwork. There is usually fieldwork included at every level of study, through a long-standing partnership with Outreach Rescue training centre in Wales in your first year (costs included in course fees), and then through two international field trips in subsequent years* (locations are regularly reviewed, students have had the opportunity to visit various locations in Turkey).

We regularly host expert guest speakers (subject to availability) from industry who talk about their experience and current issues in disaster preparedness and response, humanitarian actions, sustainable development and more.

We encourage you to join one of our student societies, such as the International Disaster Concern Society (membership fees applicable), which may provide further opportunities to gain real experience of working in the humanitarian sector*. In the past, the Society has organised trips to Tanzania, and to large-scale emergency exercises, as well as organising additional guest speakers. Please note that these activities and any associated additional costs are student-led and independent of the disaster and emergency management course.

Actual teaching contact hours will vary depending on the level of study and the requirements of a particular semester. In a typical week your contact hours will be divided amongst:

  • Personal tutorials and small group teaching
  • Medium group teaching (seminars, tutorial sessions, lab sessions and workshops)
  • Large group teaching (lectures)

In addition, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study each week depending on the demands of individual modules. The number of contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 13-14 contact hours per week in the first and second year, dropping to around 11 contact hours per week in the final year as you become a more independent learner.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include coursework reports, essays, practical assessments, presentations, posters, formal examinations, and project work.

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

Job ready

On successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

  • Critically analyse a range of historical events, conceptual perspectives, models of, and factors which, influence hazard, vulnerability and risk. Apply these and related terms appropriately in various disaster, emergency and crisis related contexts.
  • Analyse the benefits and limitations of a range of approaches to risk assessment and utilise them appropriately.
  • Evaluate the benefits and challenges of implementing effective risk mitigation.
  • Critique approaches to managing residual risks via preparedness systems and emergency planning and propose good practice approaches.
  • Assess the need for organisational resilience and good governance in effective disaster, emergency and crisis management.
  • Evaluate and apply community centred frameworks for resilience, sustainability and development.
  • Have the ability to work effectively with others within the context of multidisciplinary, multiagency teams, respecting inputs from fellow professionals, beneficiaries and other stakeholders and to reflect on one's own performance and role within the team.
  • Develop and apply technical and analytical skills to develop practical solutions to challenges faced in disaster and development contexts
  • Become an independent learner, demonstrating high level communication, ethics, research and evaluation skills.

International experience opportunities

Disasters and emergencies occur all over the world, as such the field as a whole is international in outlook in many ways. Even if you intend to practice in the UK, there are lessons that can be learned from consideration of international case studies and comparing them to practice in the UK. Successful completion of this course will equip you to work in a range of related careers either nationally or internationally.

International fieldwork is a key component in the second and final years of the course*. These locations are regularly reviewed and recently students have had the opportunity to visit various locations around Turkey.

Additionally, many of our students choose to take a placement in industry in-between their second and final years*. In recent years, students have undertaken placements in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Malta and numerous locations around the UK to name but a few.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2022 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
A level BCC
GCSE Minimum 5 GCSE's graded 9-4 / A* - C including English and Mathematics
BTEC DMM
IB Diploma 29 points

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

Chat with UK admissions

Typical offer for 2022 entry

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Europe

Americas

Middle East

South Asia

South East Asia

East Asia

Africa

Russia and Central Asia

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.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall

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.

Chat with International admissions

Fees and funding

2022/23 Tuition fees

Student Full time Part time
UK £9,250 per year Not available
International £15,950 per year Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate 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. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

Facilities

Two students wearing lab coats using geotechnics lab facilities

Geotechnics Laboratory  

This specialist lab contains triaxial cells, direct shear box apparatus, a dimensional compression oedometer, California Bearing Ratio apparatus, soil classification equipment and Marshall test apparatus for asphalt mixes.

Three people wearing fluorescent jackets in the simulation centre

Simulation Centre

Our Simulation Centre uses an interactive screen and real-life scenarios to create a ‘virtual’ training environment. Role-play exercises are part of the course to help prepare you for situations in the workplace.

A birds eye view of students working on computers at desks in Informal study areas

Informal Study Areas

You will have access to a range of informal study areas. These include hot-desk computers, with access to specialist software you may need for studying, and bookable spaces where you can meet with academics or work in small groups.

Careers and opportunities

Our blend of academic and practical study seeks to provide you with a specialist understanding of all aspects of disaster management, as well as the specific emergency planning and management skills needed to prepare you for employment in this sector.

The course aims to develop 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, the capabilities required by international relief and development organisations, private sector consultancies, national government, local authorities and United Nations agencies operating around the world.

Where our graduates work

Recent graduates have gone on to work for the public sector – in the emergency services, the NHS, the Environment Agency, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Cabinet office, Department for International Development; high risk manufacturing, energy and aviation companies; the military; consultancy with PricewaterhouseCoopers; financial risk, insurance and banking; international disaster risk and response agencies, for example: Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, RedR India, Oxfam GB, and the Catholic Overseas Development Agency (CAFOD).

How to apply

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Your next steps

Student life
Accommodation
Fees and funding

  • 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 2021/22 Contract can be found here. 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.

    Tuition fees

    The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we 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. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.

    For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.

    Accreditations

    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. 

    Facilities

    Facilities mentioned on this page may not be relevant for every course. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

    Placements and study abroad opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.

    Additional costs

    This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to), equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas).