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Shelter and Settlements in Disasters
This course is a part of
The course covers different shelter and settlements challenges in accordance with local needs and builds on local resources as part of building-back-better strategies.
Current humanitarian shelter and settlements standards, principles and approaches are the basis of this course. The common phases of the emergency cycle are embraced: emergency shelter, transition shelter, early recovery and reconstruction.
During the course, you will be equipped to effectively respond to humanitarian shelter and settlements crises. We focus on linking emergency shelter and shelter in recovery in both natural disasters and conflicts. You will be taught common humanitarian assistance methods, guidelines and standards based on a rights-based approach as led by the international humanitarian organisations.
Course content
The course is designed to provide you with new learning on strategies, methods and guidelines promoting sustainability in the shelter response from relief to recovery and reconstruction.
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You will be prepared to address shelter and settlements challenges in accordance with local needs and build on local resources. It is an important feature of the course to integrate risk and vulnerability reduction strategies in recovery programming.
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You will learn to consider local building technologies and materials as part of "building-back-better" strategies.
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The course embraces the common phases of the emergency cycle, emergency shelter, transition shelter, early recovery, and reconstruction.
Course structure
The course consists of 4 weeks of part-time online learning followed by 2 weeks of full-time studies at University of Copenhagen, Denmark and one week of part-time online work to finish a written assignment.
Course Directors on Shelter and Settlements in Disasters
Course information about Shelter and Settlements in Disasters
Dates and examination
Course dates
20 April - 15 May 2026 (online)
18 - 29 May 2026 (on campus)
Examination
Please find the exam dates in the exam plan.
You can find further information about the course and the exam in the course curriculum.
See an overview of all courses on Master of Disaster Management.
Learning outcomes
During this course, you will acquire knowledge, tools and analytical skills to address shelter in disasters from relief to recovery.
On completion of the course, you will be able to:
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Have adequate knowledge of the humanitarian response system, the role and functioning of the shelter cluster and the various shelter and settlements typologies, tools, standards and approaches
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Have acquired strategic and practical knowledge of shelter and settlements policies, methods, tools and procedures in the humanitarian response system and will be prepared to practice these in a sustainable manner from relief to recovery.
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Identify key shelter and settlements challenges and opportunities, apply relevant shelter assessment methods and prepare sustainable shelter and settlements strategies relevant to specific intervention phases.
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Demonstrate a strategic and practical knowledge of shelter and settlements policies, methods, tools and procedures in the humanitarian response system and practice these in a sustainable manner from relief to recovery.
See all learning outcomes in the course curriculum.
Admission criteria
You must meet the following criteria to be admitted to this course:
- Hold a relevant bachelor degree or equivalent
- Have a minimum 2 years of relevant job experience
- Be proficient in English
Find detailed information in the admission criteria on Master of Disaster Management.
Priority is given to enrolled students
This course is offered as an elective course in the Master of Disaster Management programme. Priority is given to students already enrolled. Once the enrolled students have been admitted to the course, the remaining seats are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tuition fees
EU/EEA citizens
Master student: 13,500 DKK
Single course student: 15,000 DKK
Non-EU/EEA citizens
Master student: 19,250 DKK
Single course student: 20,000 DK
Terms and conditions
Place
University of Copenhagen
City Campus
Øster Farimagsgade 5
1353 Copenhagen
Denmark