Risk Analysis - MA/MSc

Our Risk Analysis MA, MSc has a unique focus on the societal, health, safety and environmental aspects of risk – rather than the financial aspects. We will provide you with a deep knowledge and understanding of social science theories, concepts, techniques and organisational approaches to risk assessment, management, governance and communication.

Key benefits

• Access to experts in the field of risk analysis.
• Potential for three-week internship with leading public and private sector organisations.
• Close links with, and speakers from, government and industry, which will give you up-to-the-minute knowledge of the subject area.

Description

In recent years, the ideas, concepts and tools of risk analysis have come to dominate the way in which we conceive and respond to an ever-expanding range of societal threats to the environment, health, security, prosperity or even lifestyle. However, how we assess, manage, govern and communicate risk is regularly the source of political conflict, and this poses dilemmas for policymakers, public and private sector organisations and individuals alike. It is

increasingly recognised that such issues –evident in crises from food safety to banking – cannot be addressed by simple technical ‘know-how’ alone. They require understanding of the political, organisational and social contexts in which decisions are made.

Our course draws together a unique combination of risk scholarship from across the social sciences, including psychology, political science and sociology, to provide an advanced academic foundation in risk studies. In doing so, it will equip you to critically analyse risk issues in a wide range of public policy, organisational and societal settings, to evaluate the dynamics of risk governance and management options, and to develop reflexive communication strategies.

Course format and assessment

Teaching

We will teach you through a combination of lectures and seminars, and you will typically have 20 hours of this per module. We also expect you to undertake 180 hours of independent study for each module. For your 12,000 word dissertation, we will provide four workshops and five hours of one-toone supervision to complement your 587 hours of independent study. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

Performance on taught modules in the Geography Department is normally assessed through essays and other written assignments, oral presentations, lab work and occasionally by examination, depending on the modules selected. All students also undertake a research-based dissertation of 12,000 words.

Career prospects

This course will enable you to undertake further doctoral research or enter careers as risk specialists. Our graduates work in industry, consultancies, governmental and nongovernmental agencies. Past graduates have used the skills they developed with us to enter and excel in a variety of positions including the World Bank, European Commission, HM Government, UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, UK Food Standards Agency, US Department of Homeland Security, Medical Research Council, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, KPMG, SwissRe, Ernst and Young, Marsh Risk Consulting, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Total, L’Oreal, Network Rail, Sainsburys and ING.

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Visit the Risk Analysis - MA/MSc page on the King’s College London website for more details!