Duration
Full-time: Varies
Part-time: Varies
Next start date
2025 Semester One – 3 March
2025 Semester Two – 21 July
Available locations
City, Grafton, Newmarket
Points
120 or 180
Programme type
Postgraduate
Taught options available

Programme overview

Focusing on the major issues of disaster resilience and risk reduction, the MDisMgt equips you with the applicable skills to confidently solve complex problems in high pressure environments.

We implement a holistic approach to disaster management, and provide the knowledge needed to plan frameworks, create policies, and devise solutions. A compulsory component of this programme is a research project, where you will demonstrate the critical thinking and analytical skills needed to independently approach a real-world issue in a disaster setting.

This programme draws on expertise from across the University. Beyond the Faculty of Engineering’s world-class academic roster, you’ll be able to learn from experts from Science, Architecture and Planning, Development Studies and Environmental Law. Our students come from a broad range of disciplines. Though they vary in experience, they share a common goal to help communities prepare for, and recover from, natural disasters.

Programme structure

This flexible programme is offered as both a 120-point and 180-point degree. The 120-point programme is designed for students who have already completed the equivalent of a full-time year of postgraduate study.

The programme includes three core courses addressing key topics within the field, including disaster risk management, disaster management and resilience, project management and one 45-point research project (DISMGT 704 A/B) that stretches over two semesters – here, you will address a topic relevant to disaster management. 

Core courses:
DISMGT 701 Disaster Risk Management
DISMGT 703 Disaster Management and Resilience
DISMGT 704 A/B Research Project (180-point programme will enrol in last two semesters of study)
ENGGEN 742 Project Management (compulsory for 180-point programme only)

Students in 120-point programme choose:
ENGGEN 731 Agile and Lean Project Management
or
ENGGEN 742 Project Management (available on campus in Semester One and online in Semester Two)

A variety of electives to suit your schedule and interests are available from a range of disciplines, including Engineering, Population Health, Development Studies and Law. Please refer to the 'Electives' tab for the full selection.

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

2025 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Taught 120 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 5.0

    Bachelors (honours) degree

  • Study option
    Taught 180 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 5.0

    Bachelors degree

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Further programme requirements

Select your study option:

You must have completed a bachelors (honours) degree in any discipline. You will need a GPA of 5.0 in 60 points above Stage III.

In exceptional circumstances, these requirements may be waived by the Associate Dean Postgraduate Research, or nominee, if it is determined that you have a bachelors degree and relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience equivalent to one year of postgraduate study. 

You must have completed a bachelors degree in any discipline. You will need a GPA of 5.0 in 60 points above Stage II.

In exceptional circumstances, these requirements may be waived by the Associate Dean Postgraduate Research, or nominee, if it is determined that you have at least three years of relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience. 

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Taught 120 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0

    One year of postgraduate study

  • Study option
    Taught 180 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0

    An undergraduate degree

  • Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.5

    No bands less than 6.0

    See alternative English language requirements

Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent (GPE)

Further programme requirements

Select your study option:

You must have completed one year of postgraduate study, following an undergraduate degree, in any discipline. Your study must have been at a recognised university (or similar institution) and you will need a GPE of 5.0.

You must have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline at a recognised university (or similar institution) with a GPE of 5.0.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

How much does a Master of Disaster Management cost per year?

2025 fees

Domestic students
NZ$20,607.60*
International students
NZ$53,203*

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $9.24 per point, estimated at $1,108.80 for full-time study (120 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

See course fees for each faculty

Find out about financial support information

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Key dates

Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Application closing dates

Semester One 2025
8 December 2024
Semester Two 2025
4 July 2025

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

If you're pursuing a 120-point programme, you will be required to undertake two of the following courses alongside your compulsory courses in order to complete the MDisMgt.

For the 180-point programme, you will have to undertake six of the following courses alongside your compulsory courses to complete your programme.

Semester One
CIVIL 707 Construction Supply Chain Management
CIVIL 765 Infrastructure Asset Management
DEVELOP 709 Theories of International Development
LAWPUBL 736 Human Rights Litigation
POPLHLTH 715 Global Public Health
POPLHLTH 760 Principles of Public Health (also available in Semester Two)
SOCCLEAD 706 Innovation, Design, Evaluation

Semester Two
DEVELOP 701 Development Praxis
DEVELOP 710 Development Policies and Institutions
EARTHSCI 705 Geohazards
ENVENG 752 Sustainability and Life Cycle Assessment
POPLHLTH 752 Case Studies in Global Health
POPLHLTH 760 Principles of Public Health (also available in Semester One)
PROFCOUN 707 Specialist Counselling Skills and Approaches
SOCHLTH 732 Working with Grief and Loss

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

Recent disasters have generated a need to gain expert and specialist knowledge for many professionals, making this a highly relevant programme. Disaster management is an inherently people-focused discipline, and our graduates have found work within the humanitarian field, as well as within governmental agencies.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Disaster risk reduction specialist
  • Civil defence manager
  • Humanitarian field worker
  • Government policy adviser
  • Disaster resilience specialist
  • Emergency preparedness specialist
  • Hazards analyst​

Further study options

See all study options

Graduate story: Ma Katrina Raneses

Ma Katrina completed a Master of Disaster Management. She now works as a Transport Sector Analyst in the Phillipines.

Read more

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