MSc Organisational Resilience

Why study this subject?

There is a real focus now within businesses to ensure they have resilience disciplines embedded into the workplace, managed by knowledgeable, qualified practitioners; however, the job market is competitive. A masters in this area will really help boost your chances of employability (in some instances, it may even be a prerequisite).

The MSc Organisational Resilience is designed to provide those already with experience in resilience roles, such as risk managers, security, crisis or business continuity managers, an opportunity to advance to senior positions. The course is also particularly suited to those looking for their next move following service in the emergency services or military.

There is great flexibility in studying this course with our students coming from not just the UK, but all around the world.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

This is a well-established, popular course within the University, and in the UK we are the only higher education provider to offer this masters degree to students.

Throughout the distance-learning course, you will learn from skilled lecturers within the School of Aviation and Security who have a high level of working knowledge based on industry experience. Our tutors will give you the practical, managerial and intellectual skills that will help you to plan for and respond to resilience challenges.

We offer students a supportive and flexible environment in which to develop and be able to apply this with confidence in their workplace. Whilst the course primarily consists of distanced-based learning, we do occasionally bring all students together and conduct some teaching at our High Wycombe campus where applicable. When away from campus, our Virtual Learning Environment meaning that students who are often deployed to remote areas have a comprehensive student experience, combined with a flexible approach to tutoring sessions.  

The University has strong links within the resilience sector and is a holder of the Silver Military Covenant Award. We recognise the value serving personnel (both regular and reservists), veterans, and military families contribute to our business and country. If you are a member of the Armed Forces, you may be able eligible to received funding for this programme under the UK Ministry of Defence Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) scheme – our ELCAS number is 1682.

As a BNU student, you will automatically become a member of Bucks Students’ Union giving you access to a wide range of services that we offer for free. Upon graduation, you will become a member of the University’s alumni community giving you access to a wide range of benefits throughout your lifetime.

What will I study?

Organisations are vulnerable and exposed to threats from malicious or accidental events on a constant basis. In order to be able to manage the impacts of any risks upon an organisation and its assets, there are multiple levels of planning which should be considered.

Throughout the programme, you will apply current theories, concepts and practices to organisational resilience. We focus on learning that is anchored in reality, rather than the sterility of pure theory. We explore real problems and identify innovative solutions that can be applied effectively in a competitive and dynamic work environment.

Areas of study that are covered in the course include:

• threat risk and impact perspectives
• security management
• business continuity management and perspectives
• civil protection, crisis and emergency management

How will I be taught and assessed?

We've designed this course to make our expertise accessible even to those who are unable to attend on-site. Our students are globally dispersed, sometimes with limited access to the internet, so we adapt the course to suit each individual.

Throughout the course, we provide a high level of support both face-to-face and electronically using our Virtual Learning Environment. Our online learning platform helps you make the most of your time studying and allows you to focus on the issues relevant to your company (as well as minimising your time away from work).

The programme begins with an induction day, followed by a four-week pre-study phase aimed at building the critical writing and evaluation skills needed to complete the course. We then move into the course modules, with each one taught in two phases:

1. The first half starts with a two-day, face-to-face workshop (which is also live-streamed and recorded for our overseas students) where an initial assignment is released for students to complete.
2. The second half of the module then goes into more advanced, in-depth aspects of the curriculum. This is explored again through a two-day, face-to-face workshop (live streamed and recorded) after which a second assignment is issued for students to complete.

The workshops are made up of lectures, seminars and small group work – where relevant, we may have visits from industry professionals to enhance students’ learning further. Outside of the workshops, students are expected to undertake self-directed study which is essential for distance learning elements of this programme.

The assignments range from academic essays and reports to executive briefings. We have previously received positive feedback from our students on the approach we take to assignments being very pertinent to the workplace and helps in addressing real-world issues.