Environmental Hazards and Risk

Entry requirements

We typically require a 2:1 Bachelor (Honours) degree (or overseas equivalent), in any degree subject (preferably within the same discipline i.e. BSc to MSc).

A personal statement should include an outline of your interest and understanding of your chosen programme.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Our MSc in Environmental Hazards and Risks explores the causes and devastating impacts of natural events including earthquakes, floods, drought, heatwaves, landslides and climate change and the threat they pose to environments and populations around the world.

Taking a natural sciences approach, you will develop an in-depth knowledge of these global environmental hazards, and consider the extent of their physical and social impact on society, the consequences for social vulnerability and for resilience. The course is likely to appeal to those with a background in natural sciences or engineering.

You will also complete either a research-based dissertation by carrying out original independent study on a subject of particular interest or a vocational dissertation that combines external work placements with independent research.

Our partnership with the renowned Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience at the University, will enable you to learn about the current thinking around risk from academics and professionals in the sector as well as participate in the Institute’s annual climate risk seminar series.

See more on our Geography Taught Masters course pages.

Offered over a year full-time and two years part-time, you will study modules that cover the understanding, managing and preventing of risk, understanding the spatial and temporal dimensions of hazards, as well as learning about the theories and concepts related to risk communication. There is also a module dedicated to current research in the fast-growing field of risk.

Year 1 modules

Anticipating Future Environments (15 credits)

This module will consider how we can predict the future behaviour of a range of different environmental systems under conditions of uncertainty, synthesising the state of the art and critically analysing current knowledge to enhance sustainability.

Understanding Risk (30 credits)

This module provides an overview of the key theories and concepts that reflect the interdisciplinary nature of risk involving human action and environmental events. You will learn the basic concepts and terms used to describe and communicate risk, as well as studying interventions involved in managing, preventing or mitigating against risk to populations, and building an understanding of the determinants of risk and its social inequalities.

Risk Frontiers (15 credits)

This module looks at current risk research and provides training in the generic skills of interpreting, criticising and collating the emerging research. What you learn will help meet the demands of the risk industry and associated areas such as disaster reduction, security, development and humanitarian relief.

Dissertation (Research or Vocational) (60 credits)

builds on your learning in core and optional modules. It offers the option to develop your independent research skills through a research dissertation in which you carry out original independent research supported by our staff. Alternatively, you can choose the vocational dissertation route which combines research with collaborations or placements with external organisations. We offer vocational dissertation partnerships and project options through our large and growing partner and alumni network, or we can support you in developing your own vocational research collaborations.

Environmental Data Science (30 credits)

This module will develop advanced data analysis skills such as programming, modelling and GIS, using datasets that allow advanced insight to a range of environmental processes as well as experience in a range of data sources.

Climate and Environmental Change Past and Present (15 credits)

Understanding how environmental processes responded under previous climates is key for predicting how they might respond in future. This module will assess how different paleo-environmental records are produced and analysed, and how they can be interpreted to make future predictions that enhance sustainability. It involves fieldwork, as well as lectures and seminars.

Knowledge for Action and Leadership (15 credits)

The module develops practical skills of leadership, engagement and dissemination relevant to creating sustainable futures

Information for international students

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

Fees and funding