UCL
INSTITUTE
FOR
RISK AND DISASTER REDUCTION
UCL
INSTITUTE
FOR
RISK
AND DISASTER REDUCTION
Post
PG Graduate
Cert RiskProgrammes
and Disaster Reduction
L’Aquila, 2009
Programmes at UCL Institute for Risk
and Disaster Reduction
Risk and disaster reduction, particularly
within the contexts of dealing with
uncertainty and increasing resilience, are
high on local, national and international
agendas. UCL Institute for Risk and
Disaster Reduction offers programmes
with taught and research components,
which aim to meet the growing need for
experts trained to analyse and provide
solutions to complex issues.
What will I learn?
Students will explore the characterisation, quantification,
management and reduction of risk and disasters, and their
associated impacts, from a diverse range of scientific, technical,
socio-economic, political, environmental, ethical and cultural
perspectives. They will acquire advanced levels of knowledge of
empirical, theoretical and practical aspects of risk, disaster and
resilience, and will gain research experience and the ability to
effectively communicate research.
Why study at UCL IRDR?
UCL IRDR leads cross-disciplinary research, knowledge
exchange and advanced teaching across UCL, with
engagement from over 70 academics across 12 departments
and 7 faculties. Teaching and project supervision will be
provided by active researchers, practitioners and policy-makers,
all of whom are leaders in their respective fields.
Careers
The programmes provide excellent training towards careers in
research, research communication, public policy, (re)insurance,
catastrophe modelling, risk management, international
development, humanitarian assistance, engineering, and many
other fields. It offers research training for professionals already
working in risk and disaster reduction. We run an annual
Careers and Opportunities Fair for students and graduates.
Types of Programme
All the post graduate programmes are centred around IRDR
core taught modules; the main differences between the
programmes are the total number of credits needed, the
number of taught modules taken, whether there is an
independent research project, and that the Risk and Disaster
Science programme includes more physical science modules.
Masters Programmes
MSc and MRes students undertake the equivalent of a full year
of study. All of our masters programmes include an independent
research project. The MSc programmes are suitable for
students who want to have a wide range of taught courses and
do an independent research project; the taught components are
the focus of the programme, with the independent project
constituting about one third of the student’s time. For MRes
students, the dissertation is the focus of the programme, with
taught modules aimed to support their learning and
development; the MRes programme is ideal for students
wanting to complete a considerable piece of research, possibly
as training for a research career.
Post graduate Diploma and Certificate
The PGDip and PGCert programmes comprise taught courses
with no independent research project; these programmes are
aimed at students who want to increase their knowledge with
less of a time commitment than a masters. PGDip students take
twice as many modules as
PGCert students.
Teaching and Learning
The programmes are delivered
through lectures, directed reading
practical problem-solving
Exercise with Rescue Global
exercises, field trips and a
scenario exercise with
practitioners, with an emphasis on hands-on learning and
tutorial-style dialogue between students and lecturers.
Master of Science in Risk, Disaster and
Resilience
Director: Dr Joanna Faure Walker
Availability: Full-time 1 year; Part-time 2 years
MSc students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits:
eight taught modules (15 credits each including four compulsory
core taught modules, two skills modules and two optional
modules) and an independent research project (60 credits).
4 Compulsory Core Taught Modules
Integrating Science into Risk and Disaster Reduction
Natural and Anthropogenic Hazards and Vulnerability
Emergency and Crisis Planning
Emergency and Crisis Management
2 Compulsory Taught Skills Modules
Risk and Disaster Reduction Research Tools
Research Appraisal and Proposal
2 Optional Taught Modules
A choice of modules within the following subjects:
The Variable Sun: Space Weather Risks
Social Vulnerability and Disaster Risk Management
Anthropology of Risk, Power and Uncertainty
Post Disaster Recovery Policies and Practices
Climate Change Adaptation & Disaster Risk Reduction in Cities
Risk and Contingency Planning in Security and Crime Science
Terrorism, Conflict,
Humanitarianism and
Disaster Risk Reduction
Earthquake Hazard
Decision and Risk Statistics
Dissertation
Students undertake an
independent research
project.
Colombia training exercise
Master of Science in Risk and Disaster
Science
Director: Professor Peter Sammonds
Availability: Full-time 1 year; Part-time 2 years
MSc students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits:
eight taught modules (15 credits each including five compulsory
core taught modules, one skills module and two optional
modules) and an independent research project (60 credits).
4 Compulsory Taught Modules
Integrating Science into Risk and Disaster Reduction
Earthquake Hazard and Risk
The Variable Sun: Space Weather Risks
Emergency and Crisis Management
2 Compulsory Taught Skills Modules
Risk and Disaster Reduction Research Tools
Research Appraisal and Proposal
2 Optional Taught Modules
Decision and Risk Statistics
Conflict, Humanitarianism, and Disaster Risk Reduction
Climate Risks to Hydro-ecological Systems
Natural and Anthropogenic Hazards and Vulnerability
Emergency and Crisis Planning
Seismic Risk Assessment
Dissertation
Students undertake an independent research project.
TwinSat
Bolivia Altiplano with permission
Master of Research in Risk and
Disaster Reduction
Director: Professor David Alexander
Availability: Full-time 1 year; Part-time 2 years
MRes students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits:
five taught modules (15 credits each including three optional
core taught modules and two compulsory taught skills
modules) and a substantial independent research project (105
credits). The programme may be completed as a stand-alone
MRes, or as training towards subsequent completion of a PhD.
Thames field trip
Abruzzo, Italy
3 Optional Core Taught Modules
A choice of the following modules:
Integrating Science into Risk and Disaster Reduction
Natural and Anthropogenic Hazards and Vulnerability
Emergency and Crisis Planning
Emergency and Crisis Management
2 Taught Skills modules
Risk and Disaster Reduction Research Tools
Research Appraisal and Proposal
Dissertation
Students undertake a substantial independent research project,
which culminates in an independent report and presentation.
Post Graduate Diploma in
Risk, Disaster and Resilience or
Risk and Disaster Science
Availability: Full-time 1 year; Part-time 2 years
MSc students undertake modules to the value of 120 credits:
eight taught modules (15 credits each including compulsory
core taught modules, skills modules and optional modules).
These modules are the same as the MSc Risk, Disaster and
Resilience or the MSc Risk and Disaster Science, but without
the independent project.
Cambridge, UK, 2001
L’Aquila, Italy, 2009
Post Graduate Certificate in
Risk and Disaster Reduction
Availability: Part-time 1 year
PGCert students undertake modules to the value of 60 credits:
four core taught modules (15 credits each). The modules are
the same as the compulsory core taught modules for the MSc in
Risk, Disaster and Resilience. The programme may be
completed as a stand-alone PGCert, or it may be used as
training towards subsequent completion of a PGDip or Masters.
UCL Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction
University College London, Gower Street, London, UK, WC1E 6BT
Location: Main Campus, South Wing (2nd floor)
web: www.ucl.ac.uk/rdr/teaching
phone: +44 (0)20 3108 1101
email: irdr-enquiries@ucl.ac.uk
Follow@UCLIRDR
Why UCL?
At UCL we are proud of our pioneering history, our
distinguished present and our exciting future. UCL is a great
place to be a student.
World-class: UCL is one of the world's best universities and is
consistently placed in the global top 20 in world rankings.
Cutting-edge: Our new programmes include the latest
discoveries and developments – so students would be on the
cutting-edge. UCL is a world-leader in research, with
outstanding results in the 2008 Research Assessment.
Innovation: We are London’s
Global University – our
programmes provide a global
perspective to students.
Diversity: Around 35% of our
students come from outside the
UK, so UCL has a cosmopolitan,
friendly and inclusive atmosphere.
Location: We are based in the
heart of London which gives
students outstanding academic,
professional and social benefits.
How to apply
Please visit www.ucl.ac.uk/gradapps to apply online.
Entry requirements: Normally a minimum of an upper secondclass UK Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline or an
overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.