Why should you study disaster management?

Disaster can strike anywhere at any time and when it does experts need to provide quick solutions to complex situations. If you'd like to dedicate your career to disaster management learn more about the qualifications and skills you'll need

What is disaster management?

'Disaster management is the process of planning and implementing measures to prevent, prepare for, cope with, respond to, recover and learn from disasters,' explain Dr Carmen Solana, leader of MSc in Crisis and Disaster Management and Sara Hadleigh-Dunn leader of the MSc in Risk, Crisis and Resilience Management at the University of Portsmouth.

'It aims to minimise the impact of significant hazards on communities, infrastructure and the environment.'

'It is also known as emergency management. While disaster management tends to focus on large-scale catastrophic events and often evidences a failure in planning for, or responding to an event, emergency management covers a broader range of situations, including smaller-scale incidents with the aim of enhancing preparedness, resilience and response effectiveness in crisis situations.'

Do I need an undergraduate degree in disaster management?

Yes, you'll need a degree to work within disaster or emergency management. While more postgraduate than undergraduate courses exist in the subject, Bachelors courses can be found at institutions such as:

• Coventry University - BSc Disaster and Emergency Management
• Kingston University London - BSc Environmental Science with Hazards and Disasters
• The University of Manchester - BSc International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response

Due the competitive nature of the sector, a degree in the field can give you an edge when looking for jobs.

The BSc International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response at The University of Manchester takes three years to complete and requires AAB at A-level for entry.

The course helps you to develop knowledge about the causes and impacts of disasters and gives you the chance to undertake fieldwork in emergency preparedness and response, recovery and reconstruction. You'll study mandatory modules such as:

• introduction to humanitarianism
• introduction to disaster management
• disasters and development
• emergency humanitarian assistance
• rethinking crisis.

Undergraduate tuition fees for UK students in 2025/26 cost £9,535. International students will pay £26,500.

Should I do a Masters in disaster management?

Gaining a postgraduate degree isn't always necessary, however if your first degree was in an unrelated subject you will need to study a Masters in disaster management.

'The knowledge, skills and personal development gained during a Masters degree are especially beneficial and many organisations will see a Masters as a great advantage to career progression,' adds Dr Solana and Sara.

To gain entry onto a postgraduate programme you'll typically need at least a 2:2, although requirements vary between courses.

If you don't have a degree, you may be able to get a place if you've completed extensive work experience or relevant volunteering.

As previously mentioned, your choice of courses at Masters level is much wider. Disaster or emergency management programmes are available at:

• Bournemouth University - MSc Disaster Management
• Coventry University - MSc Disaster Management and Resilience
• Northumbria University - MSc Disaster Management and Sustainable Development
• The University of Manchester - MSc International Disaster Management
• University College London (UCL) - MSc risk, Disaster and Resilience
• University of Derby - MSc Intelligence, Security and Disaster Management
• University of Portsmouth - MSc Crisis and Disaster Management
• University of Staffordshire - MSc Disaster Management
• University of Wolverhampton - MSc Disaster Management and Resilience

This is not an exhaustive list, for a full list of programmes search for postgraduate courses in disaster management.

The MSc Crisis and Disaster Management at the University of Portsmouth asks for a minimum 2:2, preferably with some experience in the emergency services or humanitarian sectors.

You'll learn about environmental and manmade hazards, vulnerability and risks, planning and logistics as well as disaster management and crisis response. You'll cover compulsory modules such as:

• disasters: hazard, vulnerability and risk
• disaster management: techniques and study visits
• emergency management and planning.

And optional units like:

• crisis management and continuity
• oil spill management and response.

Fees in the 2025/26 academic year will cost UK students £9,400, while international students will pay £17,900.

Can I study disaster management online?

Online courses in disaster management are available. If you'd like to complete postgraduate study in this way the following institutions offer Masters courses via distance/online learning:

• University of Leicester - MSc Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management
• University of Coventry - MSc Disaster Management and Resilience
• University of Wolverhampton - MSc Disaster Management and Resilience

Learn more about online learning.

What skills will I need to succeed in disaster management?

Jobs within disaster management are fast-paced and high pressured and you'll need a particular mix of skills to do the job effectively. According to Dr Solana and Sara you'll need to demonstrate:

• analytical and logical thinking
• strong communication skills
• a calm demeanour and the ability to handle stressful situations
• the ability to multitask
• leadership ability
• project management skills
• attention to detail
• an adaptable and flexible manner
• cultural and ethical awareness.

Is work experience useful in disaster management?

In a field such as disaster management theoretical knowledge is important, but you need to be able to put it into practice when it really matters and this is where work experience comes in.

Completing work placements and internships not only grants you first-hand experience of active situations, they also allow you to develop the necessary skills.

Take advantage of any work placement opportunities that your course provides. For example, the BSc International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response course at The University of Manchester gives you the chance to complete work placements with humanitarian organisations. Similarly, Masters students on the MSc Crisis and Disaster Management at the University of Portsmouth have the chance to undertake a voluntary placement in the emergency management or humanitarian sectors.

While at university you could also join relevant clubs or student societies like the Disaster risk reduction and humanitarian society at University College London.

It's also possible to develop your skills by volunteering with disaster relief charities such as:

• React
• Disaster Emergency Committee
• British Red Cross
• Disaster Aid UK and Ireland

What disaster management jobs are available?

Graduates of disaster management courses can work in academia, business, government and non-profit organisations. Some find jobs across the UK, while others work abroad and build careers overseas.

Jobs are available in:

• emergency planning
• crisis communication
• infectious disease management
• risk analysis
• reinsurance
• business continuity
• security management
• emergency logistics
• civil defence or humanitarian management.

'Graduates of the MSc at the University of Portsmouth have gone on to work for humanitarian agencies and NGOs, higher education institutions and utility companies,' says Dr Solana and Sara. 'They work in areas such as emergency management, flood management, civil defence, disaster relief, education and research and reinsurance and risk management.'

Learn more about working as an emergency planning/management officer and international development/aid worker.

Find out more

• Search postgraduate courses in disaster management.
• Discover more law enforcement and security jobs.
• See what else the law enforcement and security sector has to offer.