Understand Risk. Prepare Systems. Protect Communities.
Modern societies face complex risks — from natural hazards to technological accidents. Effective civil protection requires professionals capable of analysing threats, planning responses, and coordinating actions before, during, and after emergencies.
This Bachelor’s degree in Civil Protection and Risk Management provides scientific, technical, and operational training to assess hazards, design mitigation strategies, and manage crisis situations across different levels of governance.
What You’ll Study
Risk Assessment
- Natural hazards analysis
- Technological risk assessment
- Threats to people, infrastructure, and property
- Risk modelling and evaluation
Prevention & Mitigation
- Design of risk reduction strategies
- Safety planning for critical infrastructure
- Territorial and land-use risk management
Emergency Planning
- Civil protection systems and structures
- Emergency planning methodologies
- Operational coordination and decision-making
Crisis & Disaster Management
- Response to major accidents and catastrophes
- Crisis communication and coordination
- Recovery processes: social, economic, and institutional
Learning Approach
Applied training
Integration of theoretical knowledge with operational planning and scenario analysis.
Multi-level perspective
Risk management from international frameworks to local implementation.
Societal focus
Preparation of institutions, organisations, and citizens for crisis situations.
Why This Program?
- Operational orientation – Focus on real emergency management frameworks
- Interdisciplinary scope – Integration of risk science, planning, governance, and security
- Institutional relevance – Applicable to public administration, civil protection systems, and private sector risk management
- Strategic context – Developed within the academic environment of the Universidade dos Açores
Career Paths
- Civil protection and emergency management agencies
- Security and safety organisations
- Insurance and risk assessment companies
- Spatial planning and territorial management
- Environment and natural resource management
- Consulting and advisory services in risk management
- Teaching, scientific research, and technological development
- Security equipment and services industry
- Journalism and risk communication
- Tourism sector (risk and safety management)
From Risk Analysis to Resilient Societies
- Assess natural and technological hazards
- Design prevention and mitigation strategies
- Support institutions and communities in crisis situations
- Contribute to recovery after major disasters
Civil Protection and Risk Management connects science, planning, and action to safeguard society.
Objectives
This study programme aims to promote the Knowledge Society in order to enhance the capacity of organizations, public and private entities and citizens, at international, national, regional, municipal and local levels, covering:
a) the assessment of natural and technological hazards that represent a threat for the security of people, property and infrastructure and the definition of mitigation measures of general and specific character;
b) the implementation, development and/or consolidation of structures, procedures and civil protection mechanisms likely to contribute to the prevention of risks inherent in the event of major accidents or catastrophes.
c) the adoption of collective and individual behaviours appropriate to answer imminent crisis or emergency situations;
d) the requirements of cultural recovery processes, social, economic and financial subsequent to the occurrence of serious or catastrophic events.
The course is directed towards the acquisition of knowledge and expertise in the fields of civil protection, the assessment of natural and technological hazards, emergency planning and crisis management, with interest to a wide range of professional activities, including: civil protection, security agencies, planning and spatial planning, environment and natural resources, education, scientific research and technological development, industry and trade security products, journalism, insurance companies, consulting and advisory services, and tourism.
Access Requirements
Those interested can apply for the course through one of the following national competitions organized by DGES: National Competition for Access and Admission to Public Higher Education; and Special Regimes. Application may also be possible through the following special competitions, organized by the University of the Azores: Special Competitions for Access and Admission to the University of the Azores (Over 23 Years, Holders of Technological Specialization Diploma, Holders of Higher Professional Technician Diploma, Holders of Other Higher Education Courses, Holders of dual certification courses in secondary education and specialized artistic courses); Regimes of Re-entry and Change of Institution / Course; Special competition for access and admission of international students to the University of the Azores. In all cases, the application is dependent on the candidates' compliance with the conditions required for this purpose. For more information on national competitions and the conditions of access and admission, consult the DGES page at www.dges.gov.pt, and for information on special competitions, consult the regulations available on our website.
Prerequisite required for access: Group D - Vision Ability
Career Opportunities
Civil protection and security agencies;
Insurance companies;
Planning and land management;
Environment and natural resources;
Consulting and advisory services;
Teaching, research and technological development;
Security products industry and trade;
Journalism and tourism.
Learning Outcomes
a) Provide skills for the assessment, prevention and response to accidents or disasters arising from natural and technological risks that threaten people, goods and infrastructure.
b) Train to support organizations, entities and citizens at risk.
c) Enable for the definition of general and specific risk mitigation measures.
d) Train for the adoption and implementation of appropriate measures to respond to crisis situations.
Study Regime
Full- or part-time attendance, presence required in daytime schedule
1st Year
| Discipline | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | 1st Semester | 6 |
| Computing and Programming | 1st Semester | 6 |
| Disasters and Catastrophes | 1st Semester | 2 |
| Geology | 1st Semester | 5 |
| Land Use Planning | 1st Semester | 5 |
| Mathematics | 1st Semester | 6 |
| Geographic Information Systems | 2nd Semester | 3 |
| Geological Mapping | 2nd Semester | 5 |
| Geomorphology | 2nd Semester | 5 |
| Physics | 2nd Semester | 6 |
| Probabilities and Statistics | 2nd Semester | 6 |
| Water Resources | 2nd Semester | 5 |
2nd Year
| Discipline | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Floods and Flooding | 1st Semester | 6 |
| Meteorology and Climatology | 1st Semester | 6 |
| Seismology | 1st Semester | 6 |
| Slope Dynamics | 1st Semester | 6 |
| Volcanology | 1st Semester | 6 |
| Coastal Dynamics | 2nd Semester | 6 |
| Environmental Health | 2nd Semester | 6 |
| Environmental Impact Assessment | 2nd Semester | 6 |
| Fire Protection and Firefighting | 2nd Semester | 6 |
| Pollution | 2nd Semester | 6 |
3rd Year
| Discipline | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Planning and Exercises | 1st Semester | 5 |
| Journalism: print, broadcast and cyberjournalism | 1st Semester | 6 |
| P1 - Risk Mapping | 1st Semester | 5 |
| Pragmatics of Communication | 1st Semester | 6 |
| S2 - Natural and Technological Risks | 1st Semester | 3 |
| Vulnerabilities and critical Infrastructures | 1st Semester | 5 |
| Crisis Management and Response Mechanisms | 2nd Semester | 5 |
| Decision Support Systems | 2nd Semester | 5 |
| Monitoring and Warning Systems | 2nd Semester | 6 |
| PII - Emergency Planning | 2nd Semester | 5 |
| Perception and Social Management of Risk | 2nd Semester | 6 |
| S3 - Structures, Agents and Civil Protection Mechanisms | 2nd Semester | 3 |
Information
- DGES Code
- 8524
- ECTS Credits
- 180 ECTS
- Duration
- 3 semesters