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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
2025-26
Location
CU Coventry (Coventry) and
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
4 years full-time
5 years sandwich
UCAS codes
NHDF
Start date
September 2025
November 2025
Our degree with foundation year could be the stepping stone you need to achieve your goals. The foundation year aims to prepare you for degree-level study and is a great way to build the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to succeed on your degree course.
The foundation year will introduce you to the world of business with a strong focus on management, business communications and marketing in a global context. It creates opportunities for you to develop vital business skills, as well as preparing you for study at undergraduate level. You will put theory, both traditional and contemporary, into practice with real-world scenarios.
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.
Typical entry requirements:
Got higher grades? Have you considered direct entry to the degree without foundation year?
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | 2025/26 fees TBC^ | Not available |
International/EU | Not currently available*** | Not available |
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | 2025/26 fees TBC^ per year | Not available |
International/EU | Not currently available*** | 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 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. As an indication, students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2025/26 will pay £1,300.
^On 4 November 2024, the UK Government announced that new regulations will be introduced to increase the maximum tuition fees for home students from 1 August 2025. In line with these changes and subject to Parliamentary approval, we will be changing our fees. On-campus tuition fees for students commencing their studies from 1 August 2025 are anticipated to be:
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. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
Applies to degree only:
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:
In order to receive funding for degree with foundation year courses, you will need to complete a four-year degree programme which includes the integrated foundation year, otherwise you may be responsible for your foundation year fees. For further information, please refer to the 'Tuition Fee Loan' details in the 'Funding your undergraduate course' section of our 'Fees and finance' page.
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.
Our foundation years are taught at CU Coventry’s Mile Lane building, a short walk from the city centre. You’re part of the university from day one, so during your foundation year you’ll have access to the wider facilities at Coventry University. Once you successfully complete your foundation year, you'll transfer over to studying your chosen degree at Coventry University, where you'll be taught on campus in the relevant academic buildings.
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.
Phoenix+ brings you together with other students to learn, experience and develop essential knowledge and skills. Whatever destination you choose, it's about preparing you for life after university.
Learn more about Phoenix+