MSc Risk Management (online)
Page last updated 1 July 2025
This course is open for applications
Introduction
Our flexible online, part-time conversion course allows you to study anywhere in the world, while developing your expertise in broad areas of risk management. No matter your background, this course will prepare you for high-impact leadership roles in global risk management across diverse sectors.
Why study MSc Risk Management (online)?
In today's unpredictable world, risk management is crucial for organisational resilience and long-term success. With increased risks due to ongoing geopolitical tensions and climate change, there's a growing demand for technical risk management professionals who can predict, quantify and navigate uncertainties.
Our online MSc Risk Management equips you with the sought-after skillset to tackle complex global challenges and succeed in this evolving industry. This conversion course welcomes students from any background and supports their transition into this impactful, ethically grounded profession.
Why UWE Bristol?
Strong reputation
Our MSc Risk Management leverages the University's strengths in business and risk management, integrating real-world case studies and practical industry insights.
Industry experts helped shape the curriculum, ensuring it addresses real challenges and trends in today's risk landscape. This allows you to gain expertise in critical areas such as financial risk management, governance, and resilience strategies.
Strong industry links
Benefit from our partnerships with leading financial institutions, insurance companies, and risk management consultancies including Lloyds, the Institute of Risk Management (IRM) and the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). These connections ensure your learning remains current and relevant to the industry. You'll have opportunities to engage with industry professionals through guest lectures, live business scenarios and industry-driven case studies.
Flexible online learning
The course's online format and part-time structure offer maximum flexibility. You can study from anywhere in the world while balancing your studies with existing commitments.
Where can it take me?
Whether you're new to risk management or already have experience, our course will help foster your potential by entering the field or advancing your career. You'll graduate not only with technical knowledge, but also the critical thinking, ethical awareness, and strategic mindset needed for leadership in a complex world.
Our graduates take on leadership roles in risk management across private, government, and non-profit organisations in diverse sectors, from healthcare to insurance.
Personalised virtual tour
There's no need to visit us in person to explore our facilities and campuses. Take a personalised virtual tour and discover it all for yourself from wherever you are.
Take a virtual tourStructure
Content
Year one
You'll study:
Six of the following compulsory modules. (The order in which you take them will depend upon your intake month):
- Project Complexity and Risk Management
- Crisis Management and Resilience
- Enterprise Risk Management
- Strategic Leadership
- Corporate Governance and Sustainability
- Business Decision Making
- Financial Risk Management
- Operational Risk Management.
Year two
You'll study:
The remaining two modules you haven't taken in year one, plus:
- Applied Project in Risk Management.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.
Learning and Teaching
You'll study in your own time, allowing you to balance your studies with personal and professional commitments. The course is delivered online using a variety of flexible, on-demand materials such as pre-recorded videos, readings, activities, and lecturer-supported discussions.
The curriculum combines the latest academic research and industry insights, encouraging you to critically analyse and evaluate current risk management issues. You'll explore the impact of technological innovation in risk management and engage in applied projects, tackling international case studies and ethical challenges.
By applying theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios, you'll develop your critical thinking, strategic decision making, data science and problem-solving skills in the global industry context.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Study support
Our MSc Risk Management welcomes students from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds, including those who may be returning to study after some time away.
You'll receive comprehensive academic and pastoral support throughout your postgraduate studies. This ensures you can fully engage and excel on the course, regardless of your prior knowledge or professional aspirations.
You'll benefit from a dedicated academic support system tailored specifically to online learners, ensuring personalised guidance throughout your studies. This includes a proactive online tutor system, featuring personalised outreach and quick response via an academic ticketing platform.
Study time
The MSc Risk Management is designed to be completed over two years part-time. Students will typically spend around 15 hours per week engaging with their studies, which includes attending online sessions, completing assignments, and conducting independent research.
Assessment
We use a range of different forms of assessment throughout the course, including examinations, portfolios, presentations, reports, case study evaluations, and research projects. This helps you develop the range of skills needed in professional and other environments.
Assessments are designed to develop and demonstrate practical industry-ready skills, supported by timely formative feedback. Assessment of skills and competence also forms part of the overall assessment strategy.
Learn more about our assessments.
Eligibility test
Are you a suitable candidate?
Take our questionnaire to find out if you are eligible to study on one our online postgraduate degree courses.
Eligibility testFeatures
Professional accreditation
We're currently seeking accreditation from the Institute of Risk Management (IRM) and the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).
Placements
Find out more about our work experience and placements.
Careers
Careers / Further study
Our online MSc Risk Management will prepare you for a variety of rewarding career paths, allowing you to make a meaningful impact in this growing field.
The course will develop your critical thinking, data-driven problem solving, and communication skills, ensuring you're equipped for professional practice in whichever career path you choose.
As a graduate, you could pursue leadership roles in global risk management across diverse sectors such as healthcare, energy, finance and insurance. Prepare for high-impact leadership roles globally, equipped to manage emerging risks, drive innovation, and support sustainable futures.
Become a risk manager, financial analyst, or compliance officer, working in private firms, government agencies, or non-profit organisations. You may also choose to progress onto further study, including professional qualifications or doctoral study.
Learn more about our graduate destinations.
Fees
Distance learning; part time
Supplementary fee information
Students pay on a modular basis.
Domestic UK students may be eligible for UK postgraduate student loan assistance. Students in receipt of this funding need to remain on track to complete the course within two years otherwise payments will be interrupted or stopped.
Further information:
Entry
Entry requirements
You'll need:
- an honours degree (minimum 2:2) in any subject.
If you don't meet the above grade requirements but have at least 12 months relevant professional experience and/ or equivalent qualifications, we'll consider you on an individual basis.
International applicants
We welcome international students onto this course.
For country specific entry requirements, please find your country on the country information pages.
English Language Requirement
International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The University accepts a large number of UK and international qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you'll need, in our English Language section.
How to apply
Personal statement requirements
We want to ensure that the course will suit your needs, so we pay especially close attention to the personal statement which forms part of your application to the University. Please take particular care over this statement.
You should say in around 300-500 words:
- Why you're interested in a career in Risk Management, if possible, which aspects are of particular interest to you.
- What personal attributes and experience you have which make you suited to a career in Risk Management.
- An overview of your intended career path within Risk Management.
Wherever possible, your statement should draw on relevant personal experience. When describing the personal attributes and qualities which you believe equip you for this career path, try to give actual brief examples from your experience where you displayed them.
Read more about postgraduate applications.
For further information
- Email: onlineenquiries@uwe.ac.uk
- Telephone: Book a call
