The MSc programme is offered jointly by Wageningen University, University of Twente and University of Groningen with education being provided at the WaterCampus, in Leeuwarden. In the field of water (process) technology, breakthrough technological developments are required. Not only to enable the export ambitions of the water sector but also to solve global threats and challenges in society.
A combined technological approach, based on the state-of-the-art in science and technology, may offer a solution to several developments, within business and society, with a worldwide impact on the demand for and use of water. The Master Water Technology is a two year study programme and encompasses 120 credits. The programme starts annually in September. On this page you find information about the courses and the programme outline.
The programme knows a common structure for all students. In year one, the programme has a single learning pathway, followed by an individual part in year two. As opposed to the other programmes of the Wageningen University, the master Water Technology has four teaching periods including all learning activities and interim examinations. In the first year, students have seven courses with a focus on water engineering and technology and four courses in scientific disciplines which are relevant to water technology.Have a look at the calender of the academic year 2022/2023 and the outline of the programme. Or a detailed description below
In the second year students complete their MSc thesis and a MSc internship. These two major components prepare students for a career in scientific research or for a career in a more professional environment.
The programme starts with the course Water Technologies in Global Context (5EC) in which students explore global water challenges in an international context. The course considers these challenges within the broader framework of growing scarcity of materials, energy and its associated pollution, also in relation to the type of country; low-income, emerging-income and high-income countries.
Subsequently, the programme continues with four courses (20EC), which reflect on the multidisciplinary character of the current developments within the domain of water technology, and in which students specialize in scientific knowledge of various relevant disciplines. The focus is on scientific knowledge of natural and physical theories and on research applications in the overlap areas of two or more disciplines. These courses include a compulsory course on Colloid Chemistry, Transport Phenomena, Physical Chemistry.
The programme continues with four courses (20EC) in water engineering; Chemical Reactor Design, BioReactor Design, Biological Waste Water Treatment & recovery technology and Multi-component mass transfer in membrane processes. The central topic is the integration of water treatment & recovery concepts and design issues when performing reactors. Students apply acquired knowledge and understanding of the previous courses to start the design of new technologies and they learn to produce the best solution for a certain problem. Topics relate to conversions and reactor selection, reactor design and membrane science.
The first year is completed by two compulsory courses. The course Computational Methods in Water Technology has its focus on process dynamics and reactor networks (5EC) and in the course Business Case Design project (10EC) students work in teams on the development of a business case. In this part, called sustainable technology, students learn how to integrate the results from the engineering part in the context of society and business and encounter the complexity in practice.
The research part of the master’s programme prepares students to do research independently and to combine all acquired skills. It gives them the opportunity to become experts in the field of a topic that fits their personal interests and preferred future career in the area of water technology. Crucial to the thesis is that students show that they are able to critically analyse, discuss and summarise the topic concerned. For the thesis, students can participate in on-going research project at Wetsus. As a water technology student, you will be at the heart of the multidisciplinary Wetsus laboratory and its excellent facilities and infrastructure. Our students are guided by scientific staff still active in research. A successful completed thesis is seen as a proof of the fact that the student achieved the learning outcomes of the joint degree. The thesis is an individual research project and is a mix of a learning activity and a test of competence of the student. Considering the character of the research projects in water technology, it is possible to do a thesis that involves more chair groups.
Thesis examples:
Internship Examples
The fee for EU students is determined by the Dutch law, and for non-EU students by the University boards and is based on two full academic years (24 months). The tuition fee will change annually. Here is an indication.
EU students:
Year 1 (2023-2024) €2,314
Year 2 (2024-2025) €2,530
Non-EU students:
Year 1 (2023-2024) €13,900
Year 2 (2024-2025) €17,000
We also offer its own scholarships. Learn more here
Programme: Water Technology
Degree: MSc in Water Technology (joint degree)
Cooperating institutes: Wageningen University, University of Twente and University of Groningen
Programme orientation and type: Academic Master
Field(s) of study: Natural and physical sciences, water engineering and technology
Duration: 24 months (120 ECTS)
Programme Variant: full-time
CROHO code: 65005
Language of instruction: English
Teaching methods: Lectures, Tutorials, Practical training, Groupwork, Excursions, Individual Paper and Independent Study
Start: September
Location Programme: Leeuwarden
Student support and guidance
Apart from the support and guidance students receive from lecturers, a special programme team to support the students is located in Leeuwarden. The team consists of a programme director, a study advisor and a secretary. The team coordinates a broad spectrum of activities to improve the study performance and progress of each individual student. Study counseling is based both on an informal, open-door policy and on structured contacts. The programme coordination has an open-door policy, using a high degree of personal contacts. Contact is bidirectional: the team contact students and vice versa.
Students Service Centre
All universities have their own Students Service Centre, including student administration, an international office, a Dean’s office and Student Health Services. The programme team in Leeuwarden maintains contact with these units on a regularly basis.
Study advice
The study advisor, located in Leeuwarden, supports the students who are planning their study career and stimulates an appropriate study progress. The planning includes the choice of the optional courses and extra-curricular activities like being member of the Programme Committee or supporting a lecturer as a student-assistant.
During the first year, a number of general meetings will be held. These meetings deal with plenary evaluation of courses, procedures within the programme (study contract, internship agreement and thesis protocol) and how to find a thesis and internship topic and place. In addition to these plenary meeting, students meet their study advisor twice a year to discuss their study progress, study related problems and ideas.
The study advisor also supports students who meet problems in their study or personal life.
‘The Master is on a high level so it’s challenging and I like that a lot. I also really like the personal approach!’
Iñigo de Eguren Cordoba, Wetsus Academy graduate (2019)
Students should be able to read articles and books, understand lectures, take part in discussions, write exams, present their work and perform written work in English. Minimum level for MSc studies:
– IELTS overall grade 6.0 (with a minimum sub-score of 6.0 for speaking)
– TOEFL internet-based 80 (with a minimum sub-score of 20 for speaking)
The following qualifications are acceptable as evidence of proficiency in English for entry to the MSc programmes for EU nationals and for non-EU/EFTA nationals.
The joint degree Water Technology is a collaborative endeavour of Wetsus, Wageningen University (WU), University of Twente (UT) and University of Groningen (RUG) with education being provided in Leeuwarden. In anticipation of new national legislative frameworks, it is proposed to deliver the MSc Water Technology as a joint degree programme. In a cooperation agreement the Executive Boards of the universities have agreed on the joint responsibilities, the decision structure and the executive organization of the joint degree Water Technology.
The joint degree Water Technology is connected to three faculties, cooperating and developing research and education in Water Technology on the edge of their disciplines. These faculties are responsible for the development of the curriculum and the educational accomplishment. Representatives of the involved faculties together advise the Executive Boards of the universities to reach univocal decisions. Univocal decisions have been reached on the Student Charter, Education and Examination Regulation, implementation of the educational frames and an Examining Board. Two advising members; the scientific director of Wetsus and the professorial director of the University Campus Fryslân give (binding) recommendations regarding the joint degree, research developments and facilities and the scientific environment of the programme in Leeuwarden. The Programme Committee of the joint degree is also represented by the involved faculties. An External Advisory Committee advises the Programme Committee on the relationship between content and quality of the study programme and the requirements of the professional field.
The programme director is responsible for the daily affairs of the joint degree and supervises the programme team. The programme team is located at the Wetsus Academy in the city of Leeuwarden. Besides the programme director the team will consist of a study advisor and a secretary. The programme director will be the contact between the universities and the programme team.
The master Water Technology is a joint programme under the responsibility of the Wageningen, Twente and Groningen University. We ask students to apply at the Wageningen University for this programme. Wageningen University registers all students at the other two universities after completion of the registration process in Wageningen. Start your application and visit the Wageningen webpage for further instructions.
