This programme is equivalent to a Masters-level dissertation, and follows on naturally from the Level 6 Diploma programme.
Having completed the L6, you should feel completely comfortable doing academic reading and research, and creating a high-level academic piece of work that is syncretic, integrative and comprehensive.
Hopefully, through the course of the L6 study, there were ideas that you came across that inspired you with the possibility of even deeper research, and the development of an even more well-developed final piece of work. That should set the foundation for the L7 programme.
The Level 7 Diploma Programme
The L7 programme has three modules.
As in the L6 programme, the papers for Module 1 and 2 should be around 4,000-6,000 words.
Once you decide to join the programme, you will be given access to the ISRM Library, which has over 230 academic papers on all aspects of strategic risk management.
As always, this reading list is only a starting point – you are expected to do your own exploration of the literature, and then identify writers and schools of thought with whom you feel an affinity.
Module 1: Research Methodology
As an intrinsic part of any Masters-level programme, there is a requirement to demonstrate a familiarity with the basic research methodologies, to be able to explain the strengths and weaknesses of each, and then to justify to the external reader why you have chosen the approach you have, and why that is the most appropriate methodology to use in your own chosen piece of research.
As part of this module, you will be provided with access to specific work on methodology, and you can then explore further literature on your own.
As such, your module paper is likely to have two distinct parts - the first an overview of academic research in general and the second part will be specific to your own chosen methodology.
