Education

The Master of Water Resources Engineering addresses water-related issues in developed and developing countries, with a focus on problems in the latter. The MSc programme provides multi-disciplinary and high-quality higher education in the field of water resources engineering.

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.

The Master of Water Resources Engineering is an initial Master programme. You can follow this programme on a full-time or part-time basis.

Profile

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree from a four-stage programme in agricultural, civil or environmental engineering. Study results should reflect the equivalent of a 70% pass rating in Flanders. Students should have a proven proficiency in English. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries should have a TOEFL score of at least 550 on the written test and 213 on the computer-based test or equivalent results on similar language test.

Students from a 5-stage engineering or equivalent degree, including the prerequisites to the second stage courses, can be exempted from 60 ECTS. Applications are evaluated on an individual basis.

For specific admission requirements, click on the desired programme in the 'Choose your courses of study' section.

Objectives

The objective of the MSc programme is to train young engineers and academics in the management, exploitation, distribution, sustainable use and conservation of water for industrial, agricultural and human purposes. This objective results in specific aims, which are reflected in the groups of courses (1 to 6).
The thorough knowledge of aspects of mathematics, hydrology, irrigated agriculture, biology, information and communication technology, in-depth knowledge of GIS and remote sensing, and engineering hydraulics is primarily achieved during the first year by the three following groups of courses:
1.  Scientific basis for hydrology and modelling (30 ECTS)
Advanced mathematics in water engineering; Statistics for water engineering; Hydraulics; Surface water hydrology; Groundwater hydrology, Aquatic ecology; Irrigation agronomy; and Water quality assessment, monitoring and treatment
2.  ICT and data collection for water resources (12 ECTS)
GIS for Water Resources Engineering, Hydrological Data Processing, Remote Sensing in Water Resources Engineering, Measuring Techniques for Water Resources Engineering.
The in-depth knowledge in modelling of water resources, water management and system approaches to water management, as well as the development of the required attitude for a water resources engineer to contribute to multidisciplinary teams, are realized upon a successful completion of courses of group 3 and 4.
3.  Common advanced courses in water resources engineering (requiring first year or equivalent as prerequisite; compulsory 2 courses = 10 ECTS)
Systems approach to water management; Social, political, institutional, economic and environmental aspects of water engineering.
4.  Specialized knowledge and skills in water resources engineering and modelling (3 optional courses (5 ECTS each) to be taken = 15 ECTS)
Groundwater modelling; Soil water modelling; Irrigation design and management; River modelling; Urban hydrology and hydraulics; Surface water modelling; and Advanced aquatic ecology.
The ability to take leadership in the implementation of projects in water resources engineering; and skills in assuming social responsibility are targeted in group 5.
5.  Integrated project work (guided self-study 5 ECTS, one project has to be taken)
Integrated project: humid climate case study; Integrated project: semi-arid climate case study.
6. Thesis research (30 ECTS)
With the research oriented Thesis (group 6), the student has gained:
-  a critical attitude in which research findings in the field can be assessed through the understanding of the research processes underlying them and their relative value;
-  an attitude for participating in research and for communicating its results to an academic audience as well as to the broader public; and
-  the ability to ascribe independent meaning to new information

After graduation

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 employment with private companies, such as consultancy agencies and industrial firms. Others go on to careers in non-governmental organisations.

(Inter)national

This programme is organised jointly by Vrije Universiteit Brussel and KU Leuven.

Spotlight

The Interuniversity Programme in Water Resources Engineering has a long tradition of research and education in the field of water engineering. As a 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 is built upon a sound and comprehensive engineering approach to the management and exploitation of available water resources.

Contact

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

Grant Assistance for International Students
Flemish Interuniversity Council
VLIR-UOS
tel. + 32 2 289 05 50

General information
Study Advice Service
Naamsestraat 80 box 5415
3000 LEUVEN, Belgium
To contact us please complete the contact form on our website.

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