UNESCO-IHE offers 18-month Master of Science (MSc) programmes that start every year in October.
The first year of the programme consists of taught modules. This is followed by six-month research period resulting in a thesis.
Each module is taught over a three-week period, is structured around a central theme and has a certain number of credit points. UNESCO-IHE uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), in which each credit point is equivalent to 28 study load hours. The UNESCO-IHE Master of Science programme consists of 106 credit points in total.
When the participant has successfully completed the taught modules, he or she will enter an individual research programme for a six-month period, under the guidance of a supervisor. The study is completed with the MSc thesis and a public presentation of its results, which are judged by an examination committee.
The study deals with a practical or theoretical problem and is possibly carried out in collaboration with a water sector organisation in the Netherlands or the participant's employer. Field data collection, laboratory or computer analysis work will in many cases form part of the study.
Status of Degrees
UNESCO-IHE degrees are awarded to participants who have successfully completed an MSc programme. The degrees are recognised as postgraduate degrees by all universities in the Netherlands. The academic level and duration of the MSc
programmes awarded by the Institute are comparable with those of Masters Programmes given at universities in the UK, the USA and Australia. UNESCO-IHE MSc degrees are accredited degrees under the Dutch law.
Quality Control Mechanisms
The quality of the Institute's educational products and processes is controlled at three levels. First, at the institutional level the Academic Board is responsible
for the development of UNESCO-IHE's education, policies, guidelines, structures and regulations. Furthermore, at the programme level the Programme Committees have overall responsibility for scientific rigour and administrative efficiency, and they annually report to the Academic Board. Finally, at the course level Programme Coordinators are responsible for the day-to-day course organisation and for
supervising the contributions of all lecturers. Each (guest) lecturer is responsible for the content and implementation of his or her own course.
During the academic year participants are asked to fill in questionnaires asking their opinions about the quality of the programme they are following. Based on this feedback and taking into consideration the recent developments in scientific fields, Programme Committees may adapt courses to ensure that they continue to meet programme objectives as well as participants’ needs.
Fellowships
UNESCO-IHE encourages you to apply for one of the different fellowships yearly available.
http://www.unesco-ihe.org/education/fellowships.htm
