Master of Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development

On successful completion of the program students will have:

• Applied a range of analytical and problem solving skills to deal with issues in the practice of disaster risk reduction and management, accommodating the precepts of the UN sustainable development goals.
• Analysed legislative, policy and procedural influences upon disaster risk reduction actions in the context of public, private and not-for-profit sector organisations, accommodating the precepts of the UN sustainable development goals.
• Developed resilient organisational strategies in the context of disaster risk reduction and management, accommodating the precepts of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

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.

Recommended study pattern

This program comprises 160 units, 80 units of which are core courses and 80 units of which are directed courses. None of the core courses have prerequisites so can therefore be taken in any order without detriment to progress.

Pathway 1:

Students entering the MDRSD with

1. a three year bachelor degree and a minimum of one year of relevant work experience

must complete 120 units: 80 units of core courses and 40 units of directed courses.

Pathway 2:

Students entering the MDRSD with

• 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

must complete 80 units of core courses.

Pathway 3:

Students entering the MDRSD with

• 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, or
• a four year honours bachelor degree plus the UON Graduate Certificate in Disaster Risk Reduction, or
• a three year bachelor degree plus the UON Graduate Certificate in Disaster Risk Reduction

must complete 80 units: 40 units of core courses and 40 units of directed courses.

Pathway 4:

Students entering the MDRSD program with

• 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

must complete 160 units: 80 units of core courses and 80 units of directed courses.

Pathway 5:

Students who hold an advanced diploma or associate degree (and no relevant work experience) are eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Disaster Risk Reduction. Upon completion of the Graduate Certificate, students will be eligible for admission to the MDRSD. Upon admission to the masters program, students will be required to complete a further 120 units comprised of 40 units of core courses and 80 units of directed courses.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $29,675

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

The University of Newcastle is dedicated to outstanding education and research. Their degrees are shaped around global learning, work placements and entrepreneurial opportunities. The university is known as a champion of innovative approaches, striving for a dynamic teaching culture that delivers world-class outcomes. Welcoming students from diverse backgrounds, they focus on equity and developing the next generation of socially-oriented leaders.

Learn more about Newcastle University.

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QS Ranking 2025:

17

Times Higher Education Ranking 2025:

18

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.

If you wish to apply for credit for studies completed at another institution, or if you are changing programs within the University and wish to transfer your credit to the new program, visit the University's credit website for more information on applying for credit.