Master of Science in Water Resources Engineering

  Admission requirements | Study programme | Assets | Career prospects| Registration fee | More information | Application

Fact sheet

The Master's

Water Resources Engineering deals with the methods and techniques applied
in the study of:

• water needs for agriculture, industry, households, recreation, navigation, hydroelectric power generation;
• problems related to storm water drainage and flood damage mitigation;
• problems related to water quality in streams and aquifers, erosion, sedimentation, protection of ecosystems and other natural resources;
• integrated water management; and
• institutional, socio-economic, and policy issues related to water resources development and management.

Admission requirements

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Study programme

Master of Water Resources Engineering, 120 credit programme

The first year (60 credits), held at KU Leuven, is the same for all students. In the second year, held at the VUB, students design a more personal programme through their MSc thesis research (30 credits), the selection of an integrated project (5 credits) and 3 elective courses (5 credits each).

Master of Water Resources Engineering, 60 credit reduced programme

Applicants with a Master’s degree in agricultural, civil or environmental engineering or equivalent from an EEA university may apply for the reduced Master’s programme and be exempted from a maximum of 60 credits. Applicants should have obtained an equivalent of 60 or more relevant credits in their previous education, for instance, in mathematical, statistical and/or chemical techniques, data processing tools, knowledge in one or more aspects of water resources engineering and/or Master’s research. Applications are evaluated on an individual basis.

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Assets

The Interuniversity Programme in Water Resources Engineering has a long tradition of research and education in the field of water engineering. The cooperation between the three faculties of KU Leuven’s Science, Engineering and Technology Group and the Department of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering of the VUB, IUPWARE enables a sound and comprehensive engineering approach to the management and exploitation of available water resources.

Career prospects

Career prospects in the water sector are excellent. The water sector proves to be a stable employment environment with a continually rising need for highly educated professionals. Programme graduates will deal with the exploitation and management of water resources and, to a lesser extent, with education and research. Graduates are therefore prepared to fulfil both a professional and academic role. The programme’s academic-level education not only prepares water sector professionals but also future lecturers and researchers, creating a multiplier effect that spreads across many countries.

Government agencies, drinking water companies, and other companies play a decisive role in the management of present and future aquifers and river basins. They need well-trained water professionals. Many graduates find employement with private companies, such as consultancy agencies and industrial firms. Others go on to careers in non-governmental organisations.

The IUPWARE programme offered me a good opportunity to learn the field's different facets: ranging from irrigation and drainage, to surface and groundwater hydrology, to the use of hydrologic and hydraulic models, and applications of GIS and remote sensing. This forms a solid foundation if one wants to pursue more advanced studies or a career under a more specific topic in the field of water resources engineering. One of the strengths of the programme is its nice mix of theory and exercises, giving students a more complete insight into the topics. Some of the exercises were conducted in groups providing us a good training for the real-life scenario of working within a team. Aside from the technical aspects, IUPWARE also offers an excellent opportunity to meet a variety of people and learn different cultures as the population is very international. During my time, the class was composed of students coming from about 10 different countries.

Registration fee

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More information

Visit this programme's website

If you have other questions, contact:

Faculty of Bioscience Engineering
KU Leuven
tel. +32 16 32 17 44
International.MSc.Programmes@biw.kuleuven.be

Application