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As the world faces an increasing number of natural and anthropogenic disasters, as well as complex emergencies such as climate change, food insecurity and conflict, the need for effective disaster risk reduction and management has become a global challenge.
Course option
Year of entry
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
UCAS codes
N252
Start date
September 2025
This course is aimed at those with little or no experience of the sector but with a strong vocation to work to improve the capacity and capability of those at risk and supporting organisations.
We work collaboratively with agencies across a variety of sectors (subject to availability) to develop exciting practical emergency and disaster simulation exercises in our unique Simulation Centre4 and our classrooms. These exercises and other interactive sessions form a major part of the teaching and learning, with sessions running in every year of the course in this manner.
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.
We invite expert guest speakers (subject to availability) from industry, who talk about their experience and the current issues in disaster preparedness and response, humanitarian actions, sustainable development and more2.
We encourage you to join one of our student societies, such as the International Disaster Concern Society (membership fees and entry criteria may apply), which may provide further opportunities to gain real experience of working in the humanitarian sector2.
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 are independent of the Disaster and Emergency Management BSc (Hons) course.
As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.
Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.
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 learnt 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.
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.
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.
Assessment methods may include:
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.
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 should 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 and these locations are regularly reviewed. Previous students have had the opportunity to visit various locations around Turkey. Both field trips are mandatory, but at no extra cost to you.
Additionally, you may choose to take a placement in industry between your second and final years2. In recent years, previous students have undertaken placements in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Malta and numerous locations around the UK.
Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability, and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements, and are therefore not guaranteed.
Typical entry requirements:
Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year |
Not available |
EU | 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary** 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary** |
Not available |
International | 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £19,850 per year |
Not available |
If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 of £1,250 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year.
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.
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.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:
Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
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.
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.
Your studies will be centred in high-specification learning environments that benefit from extensive social learning facilities, well-appointed laboratories, industry-standard equipment, lecturing facilities and classrooms, facilitating our innovative teaching methods across a diverse suite of courses.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Upon successful completion of the course, you should be able to:
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 demonstrate the capabilities required by international relief and development organisations, private sector consultancies, national government, local authorities and United Nations agencies operating around the world; namely, the ability to make difficult decisions whilst being culturally sensitive, ethical and compassionate.
Recent graduates have gone on to work for the public sector, for example, in the emergency services, the NHS, The Environment Agency, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Cabinet Office, Department for International Development, as well as sectors such as high-risk manufacturing, energy and aviation companies; the military; consultancy with PricewaterhouseCoopers; financial risk, insurance and banking; as well as international disaster risk and response agencies, such as the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center; RedR, India; Oxfam GB and the Catholic Overseas Development Agency (CAFOD).
You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.
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