International Disaster Management and Civil Protection
Building bridges between operational teams and decision-makers
The continuing education program International Disaster Management and Civil Protection (EUMA) equips you with scientific foundations and application-oriented skills for working with risks and disasters in international contexts. You engage with the full disaster management cycle, apply theory in practical exercises and analyse current case studies from Europe and around the world.
All courses are taught in English and combine attendance blocks at partner universities in several EU countries with online units. This structure supports specialist depth, interdisciplinary perspectives and strong international networking.
EUMA is offered in two variants. The Master’s program (120 ECTS) includes a Master’s thesis, aims for an academic Master of Science degree and therefore, strengthens your academic profile. The Academic Expert program (60 ECTS) focuses on practical professional competences in international disaster and risk management. Both variants address professionals aiming to expand their responsibilities in the European and global crisis, risk and civil protection environment.
Master's program*
Short Facts
TBD (expected in January 2026)
Continuing education program*
Short Facts
TBD (expected in January 2026)
* subject to approval by the Senate of the University of Vienna
International Focus & Partner Universities
The program has an international structure and includes courses at several European partner universities. You participate in attendance blocks at the University of Vienna, University of Twente (Enschede), Sant´ Anna Scuola Universitaria Superiore Pisa, University of Bonn and Dublin City University. This gives you insights into different institutional models, national structures and examples of good practice in disaster and risk management. Joint teaching formats, excursions and simulation-based exercises strengthen your international network and support exchange with experts from different countries and disciplines.
Occupational Fields and Career
After completing the program, you will be able to assess risks systematically, develop prevention and preparedness measures, support response and recovery processes and cooperate effectively with international actors. You apply disaster risk management concepts, hazard analysis, vulnerability assessment, resilience planning and risk reduction strategies in your professional environment.
You also build the ability to act as a “bridge builder” between operational or technical teams and decision-makers, ensuring that complex information, field-level insights and strategic requirements are aligned. This includes leadership under stress, working in dynamic crisis environments and supporting coordinated decisions across institutions.
Typical fields of application include international and intergovernmental organisations such as UNOCHA, UNDRR, IFRC, WHO and institutions of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Additional environments include ministries, regional disaster management authorities, municipal crisis teams, uniformed services, humanitarian organisations, health institutions, scientific organisations, consulting firms in risk and crisis management, and private-sector organisations responsible for critical infrastructure or business continuity.
The program broadens your professional opportunities as a disaster risk manager, civil protection officer, emergency planner, humanitarian program manager, resilience or business continuity manager, risk analyst or specialised consultant for authorities, organisations and international networks.