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Engineering Department

Sustainable Water Management and Engineering M.Eng.

The Master's program focuses on imparting key competences in management and engineering, flanked by sustainability and digitalization. Based on the latest research in these specialist topics, students train their systematic thinking and communication skills.

 

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Climate change and a growing world population are only two of many reasons why the requirements for a sustainable and resilient water management are getting ever more complex. New challenges and  qualification requirements arise for engineers who today have to be managers as well.

The new Master’s program Sustainable Water Management and Engineering (M.Eng.) is designed to meet these challenges and to qualify a new generation of engineers.

The program focuses on imparting key competences in management and engineering, flanked by sustainability and digitalization. Based on the latest research in these specialist topics, students train their systematic thinking and communication skills.

With this Master’s program, you will be able to

  •  identify and analyze current and future challenges in water management,
  • develop appropriate solutions and
  • implement and evaluate them in interdisciplinary teams.

In addition, you benefit from

  • a unique Master‘s degree at the interface of technology and management
  • a perfect interdisciplinary toolbox of knowledge and skills of engineering and business know-how
  • development of your intercultural competence
  • excellent career perspectives

As a graduate, you have excellent career opportunities for leading positions in the water sector, both in Germany and abroad, e.g.

  • Management tasks in research and construction in the field of water and waste water management
  • Leading positions in industry, public authorities, and medium-sized companies
  • Development or research engineer for nature conservation and environmental protection
  • Planning and consulting work in specialized engineering offices
  • Activity as an expert and appraiser

You are ready to work as

  • Product / Project Manager
  • Planning Engineer
  • Sustainability Manager
  • Technical Advisor / Consultant
  • Researcher

Semester 1 and 2: Practice-oriented theory

Mandatory modules

  • Applied Sustainability
  • Risk Management in the Water Sector
  • Water, Climate and Society
  • Advanced Water Treatment
  • Urban Wastewater Cycle
  • Integrated Water Resources Management
  • Water Quality and Water Cycle
  • Smart Water
  • Sustainability-Oriented Innovation and Project Management
  • New Technologies in the Water Sector

Elective (select one)

  • Language, e.g. German A2 and B1
  • Subject-specific elective module as offered in the module catalog (subject to change each year)

Semester 3: Internship

  • Practical work-experience
  • Master‘s thesis with a company

Internship
Our M.Eng. students spend the third semester doing a practical internship in industry (e.g. manufacturer of equipment for waste water treatment plants) or in engineering offices (e.g. planning of remote controlled sewers or urban rainwater management). The Master thesis is also written during the internship. Thus, you can immediately apply your knowledge and gain profound professional experience at the same time.

Teaching concept
The Master’s program is based on a hands-on, interdisciplinary concept. Current topics like sustainability, water risk management and water resource management are interconnected with classic technologies such as water treatment and water circulation. Above all, the three dimensions of sustainability are considered: the economic efficiency, social responsibility and ecological compatibility.

Theory and hands-on training are closely connected, e.g. in group projects at partner companies. Study excursions to pioneering water management facilities as well as discussions with experts from research and industry form an important part of the Master’s program.

Academic requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree or similar in engineering or natural sciences providing sufficient knowledge in environmental engineering, water technology and chemistry from an accredited university, at least 210 ECTS or equivalent (depending on home country); minimum grade 2,5 according to the German grading system
  • sufficient knowledge in environmental engineering, water technology and chemistry means at least 5 credits (or their equivalent) were achieved in each of these areas
  • Applicants with less than 210 credits (ECTS) will be accepted but have to gain the missing credits by either
    • doing an internship (at least 20 weeks) as long as no internship was done during the Bachelor’s degree.
    • Attending appropriate modules at Hof University (for applicants who already did an internship).
    • For both alternatives, please calculate an additional (fourth) semester.

Language requirements

  • You need to prove your proficiency in English. This can be done with either of the following:
    • TOEFL minimum 90
    • IELTS 6.5 or above
  • In addition: Basic language skills in German, proven by official test score documents - minimum level A1

All applications must be done via our online application portal Primuss.

  • The application period for winter intake is between April 15 and May 31.
  • The application period for summer intake is between November 05 and November 30.
  • An admission committee intensively scrutinizes all applications and decides about final admission. Admission letters will be issued in June for winter intake and December for summer semester intake.

If you acquired your university entrance certificate abroad, uni-assist must assess the certificate before you can send it to Hof University. We advise you to send your documents to uni-assist at least 4 weeks before our application deadline.

If you have any questions concerning the application process, please contactadmission(at)hof-university.de.

Perfect connections for your future

Hof University is part of several water-related networks like the Cluster of Environmental Technologies Bavaria and the Competence Network Water and Energy. This is a unique opportunity for our students to establish business contacts with potential employees at an early stage, e.g. for internships and research topics for the Master‘s thesis. In addition, we also have an own research Institute for Sustainable Water Systems on campus.

Institute for Sustainable Water Systems

Sustainable Water Management and Engineering

Degree awarded
M.Eng.
Department
Engineering
Duration
3 semesters
Start
Winter and summer semester
Application period

Winter semester:

EU: May 1 - July 15

Non-EU: April 15 - May 31

 

Summer semester:

EU: November 15 - January 15

Non-EU: November 5 - November 30

Tuition fees
none
Language of instruction
English
Campus
Hof

Sustainable Water Management and Engineering (M.Eng.) - Video

Campus Hof

The campus is the management and administrative center of the university. Here you will find the university library, high-tech laboratories and university sports facilities.

More about Campus Hof

What our students say

David on campus of Hof University
Harikrishnan from India
Robert from Germany on campus of Hof University
Hima from India on campus of Hof University

Thi Hanh from Vietnam

"Water is highly valued in an era of water scarcity and climate change. Exploring this topic has always fascinated me and led me to search for an international program that would allow me to delve deeper into the environmental challenges related to water. 

During my studies at Hof University, I noticed that the class size, which is not too large, and the different teaching approaches encourage students to engage openly with the lecturers, not only to acquire knowledge, but also to get a sense of cross-cultural working experiences. This is a buffering step that professors take to prepare students to effectively enter the global workforce. 

In addition to external internship opportunities in the industrial sector, students can participate in research groups led by professors through student papers, internships, and master's theses. This is a great opportunity for those like me who are interested in research. At the moment, I am writing my master's thesis and working as a research associate in the Resource Efficient Food Production research group. I get a lot of pleasure from my work in aquaculture and water sanitation. My motto is "Every day at the university is a joy and an opportunity to learn something new"."

David from Germany

"The Master's program in Sustainable Water Management and Engineering not only teaches technical approaches to managing and protecting water resources in the future but also provides a holistic perspective on the entire topic. For me, the focus on sustainability and the emphasis on how practical change processes can be designed, what barriers can be encountered in practice, and how these can be overcome were very helpful and enriching.

Hof University offered a space where not everything was predetermined, but where you could also come up with your own creative solutions and not just apply the same scheme everywhere. I liked the city of Hof better than I had expected: there is nature nearby, everything around the university is easily accessible, the distances are not too long, and the rents are still comparatively cheap."

Harikrishnan from India

"My passion for sustainability led me to pursue a Master's degree in Sustainable Water Management and Engineering at Hof University. I found this program to be well structured, with professors who are always available to help, support and guide us, serving not only as experts in their own fields, but also as dedicated mentors who nurture a wide range of competencies in us.

What sets this program apart is its emphasis on practical learning - from hands-on projects to opportunities for student work within the university, which helped me finance my stay in Hof and gain invaluable professional experience. The consistent support from the faculty greatly aided my own research endeavors and ultimately led me to secure a position within the university's research team.

Although the program is taught in English, proficiency in German opens up more opportunities, which I learned along the way. Fortunately, Hof University is efficiently optimized to provide excellent support for international students, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable integration process. I would highly recommend the Master in Sustainable Water Management and Engineering at Hof University to anyone with a passion for sustainability or water management."

Robert from Germany

„In this study program, the global problems of our water supply in the near future are highlighted. In addition, the latest technologies that the market already offers, and ongoing research are given to the students so that they can react adequately to any situation in their later professional life (e.g. digitalization, water cycle, water management, smart city concepts...).“

Hima from India

„The curriculum and the structure of the course are completely beyond my expectation, incorporating many leading-edge technologies that will definitely have an influence in the future water sector. Student life in Hof is exciting with new methods of teaching, international friends and the study atmosphere at the University which is way different than in my home country India. The support and orientation services offered by the International Office were really helpful as an international student and eased the effort in finding out accommodation, and getting to know the academic culture in Germany.“

Contact

 Kathrin Schötz
Kathrin Schötz +49 9281 409 - 3222

Student Affairs - Admission

 Aneta Okon
Aneta Okon +49 9281 409 - 3250

Student Affairs - Program Manager

You are interested in applying but still have questions?

Please contact our Welcome Center.