Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

This Masters is ideally suited to anyone who is seeking deeper understanding of risk, resilience and sustainability as  they relate to both the natural world through hazards such as flooding, sea level rise, and human vulnerability.  This understanding is fundamental to addressing many of our pressing societal issues. While Geography is central to this understanding, no prior experience of Geography is required and students with backgrounds in Erath and Biological Sciences, and Social Sciences are welcome to apply.

Risk, Resilience and Sustainability are three keywords of our time. A deeper understanding of risk, the ways in which it is generated, experienced and managed is fundamental to addressing many of our pressing societal issues. Concepts such as ‘critical infrastructure’ underpin government initiatives to prepare, and manage for, global challenges such climate change, natural disasters, ecological uncertainty, and extreme social inequity. The concept of sustainability is heavily enshrined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) , which have been widely taken up as a road map for future development around the world. The key objective of the course is to explore how sustainability and resilience work together in the safeguarding of ecosystem services, the economy, construction, transportation and political systems. 

Geography as a discipline offers expertise in the environment (e.g. hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, cyclones, floods and other environmental hazards) and the societal dimensions of risk, resilience and sustainability and is well placed to offer an interdisciplinary framework. It develops the Schools vision of creating cutting edge research-led teaching that works towards ‘shaping the future’ in ways that are not only more environmentally sustainable, but also through addressing issues of critical importance to ‘future proofing earth’.

Knowledge and Understanding

• core knowledge across a range of disciplines relevant to risk, resilience and sustainability
• an appreciation of the context and contribution of different disciplines within the broader area of risk and resilience in general.
• technical and data analysis skills in GIS and Remote Sensing developed through practical experience

Applying Knowledge and Understanding

The programme will seek to prepare its graduates to be:

Academically excellent, having:

• in-depth knowledge of their chosen academic discipline underpinned by critical thought, analysis and reflection;
• well-developed understanding of the limits, contradictions and emerging issues within their chosen discipline and also its relationship to other disciplines;

Making Judgements

The programme will help shape Global citizens, having:

• awareness of their responsibility as active global citizens, including a commitment to social and cultural

diversity, equity and ethics;

• well-developed skills of citizenship and the potential to contribute to the growth and enhancement of communities in their work and life contexts.

Communications and working skills

• Articulate theoretical concepts, current debates and research findings to both specialist and non-specialist audiences from a risk, resilience and sustainability perspective
• Work effectively with peers in learning, research, and presentation

Learning skills

• Collect or source data using research methodologies taught on the programme
• Engage in independent research and analysis under supervision

View All Modules Here

MSc Risk, Resilience & Sustainability (W464) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 7990
nonEU    fee per year - € 21520

MSc Risk, Resilience & Sustainability (W465) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 5200
nonEU    fee per year - € 10760

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on www.ucd.ie/fees. Please note that the costs of travel and subsistence for some fieldwork modules are borne by the student. 

UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD masters programme. Please see www.ucd.ie/global/scholarships/ or https://www.ucd.ie/geography/study/scholarships/ for further information.

• A primary degree with at least GPA 3.08 (2.1/2H1) or international equivalent in Geography or a related discipline.
• We would encourage applicants from those with at least a GPA 3.08 (2.1/2H1) in a related area that provides appropriate background to the programme.
• In certain circumstances,  we will consider students who have a GPA 2.48 (2H2) and some relevant work or other experience. Contact Prof. Jacky Croke jacky.croke@ucd.ie  This includes students returning to study after a break.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element) or equivalent

Aoife Bennett
2021-22 Graduate

“Having just completed the MSc in Risk, Resilience and Sustainability, I cannot recommend the programme enough. The array of interactive, practical modules on relevant topics such as Natural Hazards, Coastal Risks, Fieldwork in the Global South, Physical Geographies of Cities, Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems, helped to provide me with an invaluable educational experience.

Using the techniques acquired in these modules, as well as the support of the wonderful faculty, I investigated and evaluated both physical and social vulnerabilities to coastal erosion in Cat Hai, a small island district located in Northern Vietnam, for my final thesis. This was an extraordinary experience and has facilitated the development of numerous friendships and connections as well as a deep interest on coastal risks and their societal implications".

The following entry routes are available:

Please be aware that the modules for the part-time route are only available during working hours, from Monday to Friday. This course is not offered in the evenings or online. Instead, it is designed to spread your learning requirements over two years, which is ideal for those who are currently employed and can only attend campus for one day per week. If you are worried about managing your work and study commitments, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.