Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation - Master's Programme
Start
Autumn 2026
Duration
2 years
Level
Master's
Language
English
Place of study
Lund
Disasters and related losses are increasing worldwide. At the same time, climate change, urbanisation and social complexity are reshaping global risk landscapes. These challenges threaten sustainable development and require interdisciplinary solutions.
The master’s programme in Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation prepares you to work across sectors to build resilient and sustainable societies. It is supported by national and international authorities, NGOs, UN agencies and the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.
You will develop the skills needed to assess and manage risks, support resilience building, and respond to disasters in diverse contexts. You will also gain insights into the design and implementation of projects that strengthen society’s ability to prevent, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, recover, and learn from disaster events and climate-related risks.
This programme attracts students from across the globe and from a wide range of academic backgrounds – including engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, and environmental studies, among others. While work experience is not a requirement, many students bring professional or volunteer experience in relevant fields. It is offered by LTH, Lunds Tekniska Högskola (The Faculty of Engineering at Lund University).
The programme combines practical and theoretical learning, with a strong emphasis on group work, real-world cases, and interaction with experienced staff and experts in the field. Some courses feature guest lectures and workshops led by professionals from national and international organisations.
You will develop interdisciplinary competence across a range of themes, including resilience, capacity development, climate-smart risk reduction, and risk-based land use planning. Other key areas include risk assessment and communication, disaster preparedness and contingency planning, disaster response management, and human behaviour in risk contexts. Interdisciplinary concepts, methods and tools within disaster risk management and climate change adaptation are used in teaching for future application in work-life. Research methodology is also integrated to prepare you for academic or applied research.
Students can apply for an internship-based elective course, and conduct their Master’s thesis in collaboration with organisations such as the UN, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, governmental agencies on different administrative levels and local NGOs across the world. The programme enables you to apply core skills in different institutional and cultural contexts, preparing you to contribute both in field-based work and in research environments.
Graduates of this programme are equipped to work with a wide range of actors who aim to build resilient and sustainable societies. These include local and national authorities, NGOs, the UN, international organisations, think tanks, academia, the private sector including consultancies and companies.
The students will graduate with a broad understanding of the complex and evolving field – combining both proactive and reactive approaches, from an operational and strategic point of view. You will be well positioned to act as a bridge between climate/risk experts, project managers and policymakers, with the skills to design and implement strategies that reduce disaster risks and support sustainable development. The DRMCCA alumni work as different specialists, advisors, analysts, consultants, coordinators and project or programme managers in different sectors and settings in Sweden and internationally, to name a few.
The programme also provides a solid foundation for doctoral studies. It is supported by a strong network of organisations that emphasise the growing need for professionals skilled in resilience, risk assessment, risk communication, contingency planning and capacity development.
Prerequisites
A Bachelor’s degree with relevance to the applied education. English 6.
Selection criteria
The selection is based on academic qualifications and on a statement of purpose.
Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens
Citizens of countries outside:
- The European Union (EU)
- The European Economic Area (EEA) and
- Switzerland
are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.
Tuition fees, payments and exemptions
Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 370,000
First payment: SEK 92,500
Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.
No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland
There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
Lund University Global Scholarship Programme
The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.
Lund University Global Scholarship
African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship
Within the framework of the Lund University Global Scholarship programme, the University also offers the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship targeted at top academic students from selected African research universities.
Swedish Institute Scholarship: Global professionals
The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students from certain countries who are applying for select Master's programmes in Sweden.
Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website
Swedish Institute Scholarship: Pioneering Women in STEM Scholarship
The Swedish Institute offers scholarships for Master's studies in Sweden for women from selected countries in Africa and Asia who want to pursue degrees in STEM fields. Check the country and programme requirements on the Swedish Institute's website to see if you are eligible for the scholarship.
SI Scholarship Pioneering Women in STEM
Country-specific scholarships and funding options
Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University. Most agreements are intended for Master’s applicants, although certain opportunities may also be available to Bachelor’s students.
External scholarships
In addition to scholarships offered by Lund University or through its partner agreements, there are external opportunities. On the page below, you’ll find examples of organisations that may provide financial support for international students from specific countries.
