Objectives and competences
The university master's degree in Science and Integrated Management of Water provides multidisciplinary, specialized training in the different areas involved in the study of water. The course gives graduates the knowledge and experience to become experts in the technical, social, economic, legal and other aspects of comprehensive water management.
The course offers a dual pathway encompassing professional specialization and an introduction to research. The syllabus therefore places a particular emphasis on practical training. Practical activities include visits to public or private companies working in different areas of water management, field trips to the sites of current research projects or government studies, and laboratory experiments to develop skills that will enable graduates to join university research teams or corporate research and development departments in the future. In addition, students will carry out numerous laboratory activities to gain the skills required to perform chemical, microbiological and parasitological analyses of water, and to interpret the results.
This university master's degree is primarily intended for holders of bachelor's degrees or pre-EHEA degrees and diplomas who wish to gain comprehensive, cross-disciplinary training in the field of water.
Basic information
| Type | Master's degree |
|---|---|
| Faculty or school | Faculty of Earth Sciences |
| Branch of knowledge |
|
| Mode of delivery |
|
| Credits | 120 |
| Number of places available | 25 |
| Length of course | 2 academic years |
| Language(s) of instruction | 90 % Spanish - 10 % English |
| Approximate price per credit | 19.37 euros per credit (82 euros for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). Fees for the academic year 2025-2026 |
| Coordination | ALEXANDRE SENDROS BREA-IGLESIAS JOAQUIM FARGUELL PÉREZ |
| masters.ciencies.terra@ub.edu | |
| Course details | Indicators |
| Open pre-enrolment | No |
| Open enrolment | No |
| Lead to doctoral studies | Yes |
| Admission for applicants not holding a degree qualification | No |
| Bridging courses | No |
| Specializations |
|
Informative sessions
- 27 may 2025 at 15:30
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Opeen days
Objectives and competences
Objectives
The course aims to provide specialized cross-disciplinary training in the different areas related to water and water resources, giving students a level of professional competence and the specific knowledge to evaluate and manage water resources in the water cycle and the different uses and treatments of water. The course also provides specific training in aspects of water management for which social demand has grown, and in which the University of Barcelona can offer unique training thanks to its extensive experience and its key role in the social, industrial and administrative fabric of Catalonia.
The course also provides a platform for international mobility for students and teaching staff through the configuration of a double degree agreement by which students can obtain to obtain both the UB qualification and the Master in Water taught by the University of Montpellier, the National Institute of Agronomic Studies of Montpellier and the Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences and Technology at Paul Valéry University of Montpellier. Students and staff are also encouraged to apply to European and international exchange programmes with a view to completing placements at universities or research centres and in official organizations or companies. The course aims to contribute to the overall competence of future professionals, enabling them to acquire experience and to improve their foreign language skills. It also provides a platform through which the teaching staff can exchange experiences and methodological know-how applicable to their teaching and research.
The degree seeks to produce highly employable graduates: students complete an institutional or company placement as a compulsory part of the syllabus, where they are able to put the knowledge they have acquired into real-world practice and gain first-hand experience of professional life in their chosen field.
Competences
- Capacity to analyse and interpret data.
- Ability to use advanced analytical tools.
- Capacity to take an active role in research and innovation projects in the field of water.
Specific competences
- Understanding of and capacity to identify the fundamental aspects in the various branches of science involved in the water cycle, and understanding of the relevant legal, economic and social considerations.
- Ability to locate and correctly interpret regulations on the different areas of water use and management.
- Ability to evaluate the costs associated with water supply financing and taxation.
- Understanding of the importance of water across all areas of the environment and in interactions with natural elements.
- Capacity to evaluate reports on conventional and non-conventional water resources.
- Ability to develop and evaluate projects in which water plays a significant role.
- Ability to identify the collateral problems and potential risks involved in the alteration and modification of water, the generation of solid waste, and waste disposal.
Access and admission
Applicant profile and access requirements
Recommended applicant profile
This university master's degree is intended primarily for graduates, diploma holders or engineers who wish to undertake comprehensive, cross-disciplinary and integrated training in the field of water.Prospective students should have a background in science or professional or voluntary experience in the field of water and related areas.
In exceptional cases, the Admissions Committee may consider granting direct access to applicants with an academic background in a non-science subject, provided they have sufficient professional experience related to the course content.
Access requirements and conditions
General requirementsStudents wishing to be admitted to a university master's degree must hold one of the following qualifications:
- Official Spanish university degree.
- A degree issued by a higher education institution within the European Higher Education Area framework that authorizes the holder to access university master's degree courses in the country of issue.
- A qualification issued by an institution outside the framework of the European Higher Education Area. In this case, applicants must request homologation of the degree to its equivalent official Spanish university qualification or obtain express approval from the University of Barcelona, which will conduct a study of equivalence to ensure that the degree is of a comparable level to an official Spanish university qualification and that it grants access to university master's degree study in the country of issue. Admission shall not, in any case, imply that prior qualifications have been recognized as equivalent to a Spanish master's degree and does not confer recognition for any purposes other than that of admission to the master's degree course.
Specific requirements
English and French may be used to teach part of some optional subjects (if so, this will be stated in the corresponding course plans). Students are not required to hold official certification of their proficiency in these languages, but those who intend to take the double degree must complete an intensive French or English course to ensure that they have a sufficient level of proficiency.
Pre-enrolment
Enrolment
As a general rule, at the UB you will be required to enrol online. Remember that you can lose your place if you do not enrol on the day you have been assigned
- Documents required for enrolment
- Procedure to formalize enrolment
- Grants and financial aid (in Catalan)
- Economic information (in Catalan)
Schedules
Course curriculum
Subjects and course plans
Distribution of credits
| Type | ECTS |
|---|---|
| Compulsory | 35 |
| Optional | 50 |
| Compulsory placements | 10 |
| Compulsory final project | 25 |
| TOTAL | 120 |
List of subjects
Previous years
Placements
Placements in a company or another type of organization are an integral part of university studies, providing first-hand experience of working methodologies in students' chosen professional fields. They offer invaluable practical experience for the transition into work after graduation.
Placements are supervised by tutors and subject to assessment. They are therefore included in the academic record. There is also an option to complete non-curricular placements of up to 750 hours, which can be extended to 900 hours. For both curricular and non-curricular placements, an educational cooperation agreement is signed between the UB and the company, institution or other organization at which the placement will be carried out.
Institutional information
Career opportunities
What can you work on ?
- Directors, managers and unit managers in the field of water resources and treatment
- Technical specialists in water resources and treatment
- Consultants and advisors on aspects related to water resources and treatment
- Specialists in public administrations
- Researchers at universities and research centers