Water Resources and Environmental Management
(Master of Science)

A river through a green landscape. © Instituts für Hydrologie und Wasserwirtschaft
© Instituts für Hydrologie und Wasserwirtschaft

Profile

Course type
Postgraduate studies (Master)
Standard Course Duration
4 semesters
Course Start
Winter semester
Language of Instruction
English
Language Requirements

English C1
Find out more

Admission
Unrestricted admission
International

Stay abroad possible, but not obligatory.

Short Description

Water Resources and Environmental Management is a research-oriented international Master of Science programme delivered in English. Students acquire interdisciplinary specialist knowledge and key transferable skills in sustainable water resources management. By the time they have completed the programme, graduates are capable of taking on positions of responsibility, e.g. in research, for water authorities or senior environmental administrative bodies. Sustainable development in all areas of water resources management and sanitary engineering is extremely important for present and future generations. After all, the quality and availability of water are increasingly under threat from societal and environmental change. Problems such as water scarcity, flooding and environmental pollution are increasing throughout the world, resulting in a great demand for experts.

Engineers in the field of water resources and environmental management are qualified to seek responses to these global problems. Since the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geodetic Science has a strong background in water-related sciences, it offers the ideal frame for this Master’s degree programme. Professors at the faculty have excellent international ties and undertake a range of other measures to enable the faculty to cooperate closely with partners abroad. In this English-language Master’s programme, students are integrated in research teams, many of which are involved in international research projects.

Course Content

  • Coastal engineering
  • Ecology
  • Environmental economics and computer science
  • Flow and transport processes
  • Hydraulic engineering
  • Hydrology and water resources management
  • Hydromechanics
  • Industrial water management
  • Sanitary engineering
  • Solid waste management
  • Water supply
Course Structure

In the first semester, students acquire a fundamental knowledge of water resources management, hydrology, natural sciences and hydromechanics. In the second and third semesters, student pursue one of two specialisations: Water Resources Management or Sanitary Engineering. Specialist courses are supplemented by courses intended to help students develop the soft skills required to produce scientific work with success. In addition, German language courses are offered. In the fourth semester, students complete a Master’s thesis under the supervision of a member of the teaching staff. The option of completing a voluntary field research period in the student’s home country or another (developing) country completes the programme.

Semester Basics Soft skills / projects Major A: Water Resources Management Major B: Sanitary Engineering Supplements
1
  • Natural Sciences
  • Environmental Hydraulics
  • Hydrology & Water Res. Mgt. I
  • Environmental Data Analysis
  • Research Planning & Scientific Comm.
   
  • Soil Mech. for Hydraulic Struct.
  • Remote Sensing
2  
  • Res. Project & Colloquium
  • Hydrology & Wat. Res. Mgt. II
  • Ecology & Water Resources
  • Sanitary Engineering
  • Solid Waste Management
  • Flow & Transport Processes
  • Wetland Ecology and Management
  • Water& Soils
  • Water Vegetation
3  
  • Theories & Meth. of Research (elective)
  • Hydrological Modelling
  • Special Topics Wat. Res. Mgt.
  • Indust. Wat. Mgt. & Wat. Supply
  • Special Topics Sanitary Eng.
  • Modelling in Sanitary Eng.
  • Environmental Economics
  • Environ. & Coastal Mgt.
  • Hydropower Engineering
  • Remote Sensing or Soil Mech. (as 1st sem.)
4 Master Thesis
Recommended Abilities

Students should have acquired a basic knowledge of water resources and environmental management at the undergraduate stage and may already have gained initial work experience in these areas. Applicants from non-English speaking countries must produce evidence of sufficient knowledge of the English language. This can take the form of one of the following language tests: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or CAE (Certificate in Advanced English).

Career Opportunities

Graduates work in various areas of engineering and environmental sciences. They are prepared for assuming executive positions at universities, research institutions, as well as national and international organisations. Graduates may also find employment with engineering consultants involved in the planning and maintenance of water resources facilities and with administrative agencies for water resources management. Globally increasing water resources problems mean that graduates will have a wide range of job opportunities, both now and in the future.

Admission requirements and application

Admission Requirements

For master''s degree programmes with unrestricted admission, all applicants who fulfil the admission requirements will be admitted a university place. The exact admission requirements can be found in the admission regulations: 

Application Deadlines

First-year students from Germany and the EU

  • December 1st of the previous year - January 15th of the year for the winter semester

First-year students from non-EU countries

  • December 1st of the previous year - January 15th of the year for the winter semester

Students Resuming their studies and transfer students (application in a higher semester)

  • June 1st – July 15th of the year for the winter semester
  • December 1st of the previous year - January 15th of the year for the summer semester
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Zentrale Studienberatung
Address
Welfengarten 1
30167 Hannover
Building
Zentrale Studienberatung
Address
Welfengarten 1
30167 Hannover
Building