Professional Practice: Leadership in Emergency Services (LES) (Part-time) (MA)
The Professional Practice: Leadership in Emergency Services (LES) (Distance Learning, Part-Time) is a specialised master’s programme designed for professionals working in emergency services, disaster response, crisis management, and public safety.
This fully online, work-based degree is tailored to help firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and emergency planners develop strategic leadership skills while continuing their vital work.
Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical application, students will explore crisis response, risk management, inter-agency collaboration, and resilience planning. This degree enables learners to apply contemporary leadership strategies directly to their roles, improving decision-making and operational efficiency in high-pressure environments.
The programme is highly flexible, allowing students to choose modules relevant to their specific emergency services sector. A key advantage is the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway, which acknowledges previous training and operational experience, allowing students to gain credits and accelerate their studies.
Students will engage in research-led teaching, case studies, and leadership development projects, collaborating with emergency services organisations to tackle real-world challenges. Graduates will leave with advanced leadership skills, critical thinking abilities, and crisis management expertise, equipping them to lead emergency response teams, develop policy initiatives, and improve crisis preparedness strategies.
If you’re looking for a flexible, sector-specific master’s degree that enhances leadership in emergency response and public safety, the MA Leadership in Emergency Services at ÃÜÌÒ´«Ã½ is the ideal choice
Course details
- Part-time
- English
- Welsh
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
This programme develops strategic leadership, crisis management, and risk assessment skills for emergency service professionals. You’ll engage with:
- Leadership and decision-making in emergency contexts.
- Multi-agency collaboration and resilience planning.
- Crisis communication and risk management strategies.
- Ethical and professional considerations in emergency services leadership.
The programme structure is designed to support emergency services professionals through flexible study.
Core Modules:
- Leadership in Crisis and Resilience (30 credits)
- Risk Management in Emergency Services (30 credits)
- Strategic Decision-Making in Emergencies (30 credits)
- Work-Based Research in Emergency Services (20 credits)
Optional Modules (examples):
- Inter-Agency Collaboration in Emergency Response (30 credits)
- Managing Operational and Tactical Leadership (30 credits)
- Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Planning (30 credits)
- Leadership in Fire and Rescue Services (30 credits)
- Emergency Services Policy and Governance (30 credits)
Students must complete a total of 180 credits to graduate with an MA.
Optional
(20 credits)
(15 credits)
(20 + (40-160 credit claim))
Optional
(30 credits)
(20 credits)
(30 credits)
(15 credits)
(20 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(20 credits)
Optional
Year 2
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Year 3
Further information
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Minimum of 5 years’ level-appropriate work-based or voluntary experience.
Alternative entry routes-
Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCert). This is the first part of the full Master’s degree.
Once you have successfully completed your PGCert studies, you will be eligible to progress for the remainder of the Master’s degree.
These are ideal routes if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree.
Admissions Advice and Support  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements.
As a potential student the Admissions Team will arrange a meeting to discuss the options open to you. This normally takes place online at a time convenient to you.
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa.
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship.
For full information read our visa application and guides.
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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- Work-based projects
- Written assignments
- Research-based reports
- Reflective portfolios
- Presentations
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed. 
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. 
Opportunities to Learn Welsh &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills.   &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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There are no additional required costs for the course. There is the option to undertake an Insights Psychometric assessment.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries section on our website.
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Graduates pursue roles in:
- Senior leadership in police, fire, and emergency medical services
- Crisis and disaster management
- Public safety policy and governance
- Risk management and operational planning
- Consultancy in emergency response strategies
- ÃÜÌÒ´«Ã½ ranks highly for student satisfaction and employability.
- Strong links with industry professionals and organisations