Master of Disaster Risk and Resilience University of Newcastle, Australia

This program is delivered through CIFAL Newcastle, a United Nations training centre with a focus on disaster resilience and sustainable development, which is hosted at the University of Newcastle. The United Nations has partnered with the University to develop the Master of Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development. Students in this program develop the best practice knowledge and skills needed to implement the new UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Sendai framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The Master of Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development equips people from diverse backgrounds to understand resilience and sustainable development principles, and systematically apply them to avoid disasters, operate through extreme events and emerge better placed to face the future.

Organisations around the world are realising that by championing sustainable development, they can not only save lives and revenue, but also achieve a competitive advantage and lead the way within their industry. They seek to become more resilient in the face of disasters by mitigating risks and reducing their impact. If your role involves identifying, mitigating and managing business, safety or environmental risks - or if you aspire to such a position - this program will place you at the forefront of your field.

Entry requirements

There are four pathways into the Master of Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development (MDRSD) program:

1. Direct entry into the MDRSD program (120 units) is available for applicants who have:

• a three year bachelor degree and a minimum of one year of work experience in a role that is deemed to be disaster-relevant

2. Direct entry into the MDRSD program (80 units) is available for applicants who have:

• a three year bachelor degree and five years' work experience in a role that is deemed to be disaster-relevant; or
• a four year honours bachelor degree, or a three year bachelor degree plus a relevant graduate certificate or graduate diploma

3. Direct entry into the MDRSD program (80 units) is available for applicants who have:

• a three year bachelor degree and five years' work experience in a role that is deemed to be disaster-relevant plus the UON Graduate Certificate in Disaster Risk Reduction
• a four year honours bachelor degree, or a three year bachelor degree plus the UON Graduate Certificate in Disaster Risk Reduction

4. Direct entry into the MDRSD program (160 units) is available for applicants who have:

• an advanced diploma or associate degree and five years' work experience in a role that is deemed to be disaster-relevant; or
• a three year bachelor degree which is not accompanied by employment in a disaster-relevant role or work experience

5. Indirect entry into the MDRSD program via the Graduate Certificate in Disaster Risk Reduction (GCDRR). Upon completion of the GCDRR, students would be eligible for admission into the MDRSD program (160 units) with 40 units of credit. This entry path is available for applicants who have:

• an advanced diploma or associate degree which is not accompanied by employment in a disaster-relevant role or work experience.

Relevant work experience will be assessed using the following information:

• An applicant statement detailing current role and work experience that is disaster-related
• A statement of service relating to disaster-related employment
• A comprehensive curriculum vitae

All Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the University's English proficiency requirement. Further information regarding English language proficiency requirements can be found at the English Language Proficiency for Admission Policy here.