Environmental Hazards (MSc)

Navigate the complex interplay of nature and society to mitigate environmental risks and shape a resilient future.

This MSc programme is designed to empower you to contribute to the global effort of strengthening society's resilience to disasters. We face a growing number of environmental hazards due to climate change and rapid population growth, leading to an increase in billion-dollar disasters. Despite global efforts like the Sendai Framework and Resilient Cities Network, the complexity of disaster risk reduction remains a significant challenge. A deep understanding of both natural and human-made hazards is required, from floods and earthquakes to corporate and government decision making that leads to toxic waste and air pollution.

Integrating diverse disciplines such as environmental science, statistics, remote sensing, and data analysis, this programme will give you a comprehensive understanding of disaster risk reduction. Through hands-on training in numerical and statistical modelling, remote sensing techniques, fieldwork, and data analysis, you’ll acquire practical skills essential for conducting effective hazard and risk assessments. This emphasis on practical application ensures you are well-prepared to tackle real-world scenarios in disaster mitigation and response.

You will graduate with practical skills and technical expertise that are in high demand for roles involving hazard and risk assessment, disaster management, and resilience planning, well-positioned for diverse career opportunities in governmental and non-governmental organizations, environmental consultancies, insurance companies, and related industries.

Distinctive features

A global outlook

Join the global effort to improve our resilience to environmental disasters, as outlined in the Sendai framework and endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly.

Research-led teaching

Experience research-led teaching from leading practitioners sharing their diverse expertise in the interdisciplinary science of hazard assessment and risk management.

Graduate prospects

Gain the skills required by graduate employers in hazard management, environmental consultancies, urban resilience planning, government policy, and crisis communications industries

Tailor to your interests

Complete a research project driven by your own interests in a location of your choosing, including outside of the UK.

Interdisciplinary Approach

Study a diversity of disciplines, giving you versatile skills to address multifaceted challenges in disaster management and integrate social and political perspectives into decision-making.

Accreditations

• Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

Careers

This programme is designed to prepare you for successful careers in disaster risk reduction and related fields by providing you with a comprehensive set of knowledge, skills, and practical experiences that are highly valued by employers. Through a combination of rigorous academic coursework, practical training, and engagement with industry professionals, you will develop the expertise and professional competencies needed to excel in a variety of roles within governmental and non-governmental organizations, environmental consultancies, insurance companies, and related industries.

The programme aligns closely with the University's graduate attributes, ensuring that you not only acquire disciplinary knowledge but also develop transferable skills and qualities that are highly sought after by employers. Key graduate attributes incorporated into the programme include critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, adaptability, and ethical responsibility. These attributes are cultivated through a range of learning activities, including lectures, seminars, workshops, fieldwork, and group projects, allowing you to develop and demonstrate your abilities in diverse contexts.

One distinctive feature of the programme is the involvement of visiting lecturers from relevant industries or professions. These industry experts bring real-world perspectives and practical insights into the classroom, enriching your learning experiences and providing valuable networking opportunities. Additionally, you have the opportunity to engage with relevant professionals or employers in other learning activities, such as guest lectures, panel discussions, site visits, and internships. These interactions enable you to gain firsthand knowledge of industry trends, practices, and expectations, as well as to build professional relationships that can enhance your employment prospects.

Upon completion of the programme, you will be well-equipped to pursue a wide range of career paths in disaster risk reduction and resilience-building efforts. Potential job roles include:

• Disaster Risk Analyst
• Emergency Management Specialist
• Resilience Planner
• Environmental Consultant
• Risk Assessor/Manager
• Policy Advisor/Analyst
• Community Engagement Coordinator
• Climate Adaptation Specialist
• Humanitarian Aid Worker
• Project Manager in Disaster Response and Recovery

Overall, the programme provides you with a solid foundation of academic knowledge, practical skills, and industry connections that will prepare you for successful and impactful careers in addressing the complex challenges of disaster risk reduction and resilience-building in our increasingly vulnerable world.

Placements

We work with industrial and academic partners to support dissertation development and supervision. You will have the opportunity to develop these linkages during dissertation development in the Spring Term.