MSc Risk Management

Overview & facilities

The Risk Management Masters at Middlesex in London is unique in that it takes on a multi-faceted approach, exploring the many different disciplines that consider risk within organisations finance, law, health and safety, engineering and economics.

We adopt a multidisciplinary, multi-professional and multi-regional approach to the teaching and practice of risk management. We focus on issues, whether man-made or natural, which have enterprise wide, national or even international implications and have the potential for harm to business, the economy, health and safety, the environment and-or to society at large.

Throughout the Risk Management Masters we attempt to examine the field of risk in ways that account for the requirements of both developed and developing countries.

This course will appeal to people in mid career who are being asked to come out of one risk "silo" and take on a wider risk portfolio (or younger people who aspire to this role).

You may undertake site visits to evaluate risk management in action, which might typically be to the Thames Barrier, to a Forensic Mental Health Unit or to the Athlete?s Village site at the Olympic Park.

Course highlights:

Theory is integrated with practice through guest lectures, seminars and workshops with experts from different disciplines and specialisations, which to date have included police, local authority civil contingency and business continuity management, hospital risk management, nuclear engineers and others. 

Site visits to evaluate risk management in action, which might typically be to the Thames Barrier, to a Forensic Mental Health Unit or to a major paper mill.

Content & modules

Modules may be studied individually and-or may be taken in combination to achieve one of three postgraduate awards ( Post Graduate Certificate in Risk Management, Post Graduate Diploma in Risk Management, MSc Risk Management). Risk management is approached from a generic, multi-disciplinary perspective within all of these, which represented a structured progression of awards, offering alternative exit points to suit different needs.

The first part of all three degrees (in fact the whole of the PGCert) consists of two core modules that collate and evaluate the principles of risk management, using practical demonstrations from many different disciplines. After a thorough grounding in the principles of risk management in these core modules, PgDip and MSc students select modules reflecting their specialised interests (for example Management, Finance, Health and Safety, Environment, Social Policy or Psychology), as well as undertaking a module in research methods, and, in the case of the MSc, an independent project.

The programmes are equally appropriate for domestic and international students with an interest in risk management.

The taught component consists of 4 modules studied full time over one year or part time over two years. Depending on selection of pathway modules it may be necessary for part time programmes to attend the University on more than one day, (but it should always be possible to select at least one module combination that allows part time study on a single day to facilitate day release for students who are in employment, it simply will restrict the choices available).

This programmeis based at our flagship Hendon campus.

One examination and coursework including case studies, a team project, risk communication, research proposals, essays and a final dissertation.

Modules

• Year 1

  Law and Governance (30 Credits) - Optional

  The module is concerned with the extent to which Law and Governance may contribute to the protection of the physical environment. It introduces the concepts of environmental governance and issues of environmental law and their inter-relationship. It aims to enable students to develop a thorough understanding of the complex issues of institutional, economic and social framework within which management of the physical resources takes place, using water management as part of the examples. In addition, the module aims to provide detailed knowledge on the role which the law in theory and in practice has in the prevention, protection, clean up and compensation relating to harm caused to the environment.

  Managing Hazardous Agents and their Effects in the Workplace (30 Credits) - Optional

  To thoroughly appraise and evaluate the legal, theoretical and practical aspects of identifying, controlling and managing the risk presented by a range of workplace hazardous agents.

  Managing Workplace and Work Equipment Hazards (30 Credits) - Optional

  Aims to enhance the skills of inspection, auditing and testing and evaluation in respect of the physical and traumatic dangers presented by the nature and use of premises, plant, equipment and commonly occurring processes, together with the skills to promote remedial and proactive risk management improvement strategies.

  Monitoring and Control of Pollution (30 Credits) - Optional

  To provide detailed knowledge on the discharge of pollutants, either of natural or of anthropogenic origin, into the environment that can induce severe stresses on ecosystems and their inhabitants. To train students to act as experts in the area of reducing and remediating the impact of waste, wastewater, land and air pollution and noise. To introduce theoretical and practical principles of natural purification processes and technological processes to control discharges which drive purification and remediation technologies, with reference to the legislative framework concerned with safeguarding the environment and human health. To impart knowledge to enable students to critically review modern technology and practices for the monitoring, prevention, treatment and disposal of waste, wastewater, air pollution and noise pollution discharge in to the different environmental compartments air, water, and soil .

  Pollution Sources and Impact (30 Credits) - Optional

  This module aims to provide detailed knowledge and insight into the sources of pollution in the three environmental compartments. The characteristics and sources of the major environmental pollutants will be identified and their behaviour examined. The module also aims to familiarise students with the health, ecological and climatic impact of a wide range of pollutants, both independently and synergistically and to explain the scientific principles behind these effects.

  Research Methods (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  To provide graduate students with the organisational and management skills to administer an MSc/PhD research project. Management skills are supported by knowledge of experimental design, quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques, presentation skills and interactive computing skills. A range of environmental and technological examples will are used throughout the module to develop planning and analytical skills. Subject specific skills are provided by programme tutors to cover instrumental analytical techniques, specific case studies and specific data analyses relevant to individual programmes.

  Research Project (60 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims to provide an opportunity for the student to develop original and independent research investigations aimed at integrating theoretical knowledge and technical expertise to solve a practical problem at a relevant postgraduate level using appropriate research techniques.

  Risk Management Decision Making (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  To provide students with advanced understanding of the subject area and enable them to critically evaluate: psychological, social, economic, legal, cultural and philosophical factors which impinge upon personal and institutional Advances in Risk Management. How and why these factors are important and when and how they may be incorporated into risk decision processes. The module examines issues that are at the cutting edge of risk management theory and practice, examining ways to address risk ranking and prioritisation, sources of bias in decision making and the ways that processes and people interact within organisations.

  Risk Management Fundamentals (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  To provide participants with an overview of the theory and application of risk management as it is applied at a strategic level from a multi-disciplinary, science-led perspective. To evaluate the frameworks that can be used to relate the functions of risk management and the actors that perform them in order to enable participants to better understand the process of decision making and the factors which influence it. To critically assess existing processes in order to build upon and extend rational approaches currently favoured in risk assessment and risk management. This module recognises that there are conflicts over how decisions are and should be made and attempts to provide an overview so that students will ultimately be in a position to make their own choices based upon a wide appreciation of the issues. Where students are taking this module as part of programmes other than risk management, specific issues relating to their specific discipline will be addressed through programme specific components. For risk management students the module complements PRS4606 Advances in Risk Management which focuses upon economic, psychological, social, communicative and cultural factors which affect choice and the implications this has for decision making.

  Strategic Management (30 Credits) - Optional

  Management can be successful in the long term only if activities and processes are inspired by a shared purpose and channelled through a general strategic direction. Accordingly, the aims for this module are to: develop an integrated strategic approach to business decision making; achieve a balance between a creative approach to strategy-making and the rigour required for effective managerial control; apply the theory of strategic management to the reality of organisational complexity, as represented in case studies and live situations.

 Download the course specification

Entry & applying

Please apply directly to Middlesex University Code B905

We welcome applications from graduates with a good honours degree, or equivalent qualification, in an appropriate subject. We also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications and individuals with a minimum of three years' work experience. Those without formal qualifications need to demonstrate relevant work experience and the ability to study at postgraduate level.

Qualifications accepted

For a comprehensive list of qualifications accepted by Middlesex, see further information under entry requirements

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in all four components) or TOEFL paper based 575 (no less than 4.5 in test of written English) or TOEFL internet based 90 (with no less than 19 in each component) Middlesex also offers an Intensive Academic English course (Pre-Sessional) that ranges from 5-17 weeks, depending on your level of English. Successful completion of this course would meet English language entry requirements. For more information on applying for the pre-sessional please email english@mdx.ac.uk. For details of other equivalent English language requirements that Middlesex accepts see international entry requirements.

Applying

Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university. You will need to fill in an application form and return it to the appropriate admissions office. UK and EU students should apply directly to the London office. Non-EU international students can apply to our international admissions office in London, or use our network of regional offices across the world to assist you with your application. Apply now

Fees & funding

The tuition fee for MSc Risk Management for the academic year 2012/13 is as follows:

UK/EU Students

Full-time students: £6,000
Part-time students: £50 per taught credit 

Find out about our flexible payment plans for UK/EU students, and how they can help you spread the cost of your course.

International Students

Full-time students: £10,600
Part-time students: £93 per taught credit

Careers & placements

All organisations face risk every day. The current financial crisis has highlighted the need for risk managers to play a key strategic role in corporate decision making. But risk is about much more than finace and the financial sector.  Students who wish to make adifference in health, environment or safety will find an increasing number  of opportunities.  Our students have found jobs in conduction, transport, government ministries, environmental consultancies, the retail sector and the insurance sector.

Student Profile: Paul Popescu

‘Having studied BSc Occupational Safety and Health, I wanted a masters course that did more for my career. I found Risk Management interesting – it seemed strategic and applicable to different industries all over the world.  My favourite aspect of the course was the intellectual challenge of weighing up various aspects of risk, such as understanding local communities when making a decision. The lecturers were extremely inspiring, their own research and practitioner experience really helped me learn the subject.

I’m now the Senior Health and Safety Adviser for the Athletes Village in London for the 2012 Olympic Games. I’m also organizing the first national health and safety conference in Romania, and then presenting at the World Health and Safety Congress in Turkey, where there will be 5,000 people attending. The MSc in Risk Management has given me the tools to achieve all these things, so I’d definitely recommend the programme. ’