Risk Management

All individuals and organizations face risk. Effectively managing risks – including natural disasters, cyber-attacks, pollution incidents and supply chain disruptions – is essential to surviving and thriving. Risk management is the study of how to identify, evaluate, and respond to risk to ensure the achievement of strategic goals. The Risk Management concentration provides students with a strong foundation in the process and practices of risk management. Students develop an understanding of risk, the risk management process, strategies for preventing and reducing losses, and options for financing losses, including insurance, contracts, and hedging.

Close interaction between Risk Management students, faculty, and alumni is a hallmark of the program and one of the primary reasons students choose to study risk management. The placement of risk management graduates has been excellent, and career opportunities in risk management exist across all industries.

The Risk Management concentration offers students flexibility to focus on disciplines that complement risk management, such as finance, data analytics, and operations management. By developing your knowledge and skills in the area of risk you are interested in, you can position yourself for career opportunities that align with your goals.

Career opportunities

As a graduate of the Bachelor of Commerce degree with a concentration in Risk Management, you'll be prepared for global career opportunities in different industry sectors, including insurance, consulting, energy, banking, and transportation. Risk Management graduates regularly obtain job placements as brokers, underwriters, risk analysts, claim specialists, risk managers, or cyber risk consultants.

A degree in commerce can also be used as a stepping-stone to graduate studies or another professional degree, such as law.

Program highlights

• The University of Calgary is designated a Global Centre of Insurance Excellence (GCIE) by the International Insurance Society.
• Study abroad opportunities: Cultural and academic experiences at destinations around the world, including a Group Study Program where students travel to Bermuda and London to learn about International Insurance Markets.
• Networking opportunities: Connecting directly with strong industry and alumni support through activities and events locally, nationally and internationally.   
• Mentorship opportunities: A formal or informal relationship where you connect with, and learn from, an established professional.
• Collaborative team work: Interact with your peers while learning to collaborate on projects.
• Co-operative work placement options: Students who enroll in the Co-op program gain valuable full-time paid work experience that alternates with academic studies.

Courses in this program

Introduction to Risk Management, Introduction to Business Analytics, Introduction to Business Skills, Principles of Macroeconomics, ​Principles of Microeconomics

Detailed course information

• First Year Degree Guide - Business
• Degree concentrations and courses (Course Calendar)
• Degree concentrations (additional information)