Objectives and competences

Water is essential to life and plays a significant role in the balanced development of our society. An increasing number of actors are involved in water management, and water research is approached from many disciplinary perspectives.

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 master's degree is a 120-credit course that provides multidisciplinary, specialized training in the following subjects: Water Cycle, Uses of Water, Water Treatment and Non-Conventional Resources, and Management of Water Resources.

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

TypeMaster's degree
Faculty or schoolFaculty of Earth Sciences
Branch of knowledge
  • Earth sciences
  • Interdisciplinary
Mode of delivery
  • Face-to-face
Credits120
Number of places available25
Length of course2 academic years
Language(s) of instruction90 % Spanish - 10 % English
Approximate price per credit27.67 euros per credit (82 euros for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). Fees for the academic year 2023-2024
CoordinationENRIQUE GOMEZ RIVAS
JOAQUIM FARGUELL PÉREZ
E-mailmasters.ciencies.terra@ub.edu
Course detailsIndicators
Open pre-enrolmentYes
Open enrolmentNo
Lead to doctoral studiesYes
Admission for applicants not holding a degree qualificationNo
Bridging coursesNo
Specializations
  • Uses and Treatment of Water
  • Water Resources in the Water Cycle

Multimedia gallery

Please accept marketing cookies to watch this video.

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

General 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 requirements
In accordance with Article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, students 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

Calendar

First period: 22 January - 5 April 2024.

Second period: 6 April - 12 July 2024.

Third period: 13 July - 6 September 2024.

Notes:

  • Pre-enrolment fee: A pre-enrolment fee of 30,21 euros is charged. Students who apply to more than one master's degree must pay the fee for each pre-enrolment request. Pre-enrolment requests cannot be processed until this fee has been paid.Fees will only be refunded if the master's degree in question is suspended.
  • Reserved places: A maximum of 5% of the new places of the master's degree are reserved for students who meet the general and specific access requirements and accredit the recognition of a degree of disability equal to or greater than 33%.

Required documentation

Selection criteria

The Admissions Committee will assess the suitability of each applicant on the basis of the following criteria:

  • Previous studies.
  • CV (45%). Along with their application, applicants must submit a curriculum vitae detailing their professional experience. Credit will be given for the following aspects:
    1. Professional experience in areas related to the programme content (20%).
    2. Additional training related to the programme content (25%).
  • Statement of interest (15%). Applicants must attach a statement to their application in which they justify their interest in the master's degree. The statement of interest gives the Admissions Committee a more detailed view of each student's reasons for applying. In particular, the Committee will evaluate academic and professional goals.
  • Academic record (40%). The Committee will evaluate academic transcripts and certificates, giving preference to those candidates with the highest grade averages for their previous studies (40%).
  • Personal interview. The Committee may ask candidates to attend a personal interview to complete the evaluation of their suitability for the course.

Notification

Once the pre-enrolment period has closed and the necessary documentation has been processed, the Admissions Committee will evaluate each pre-enrolled applicant and, if necessary, contact them to arrange an interview.
The Committee will ensure that a good balance of students is admitted, in terms of age, country of origin, academic background and other training.
In all cases, the Committee's decisions will be justified in writing, a copy of which will be made available to applicants on request.
Applicants may appeal against the Committee's decisions, under the general conditions established by the University of Barcelona.
Successful applicants will receive a letter of acceptance. When they receive this letter, they should reserve their place by paying the enrolment fees established for the academic year.

Admission list

Successful applicants must pay a fee of '250 to reserve their place and will be notified by email when the place has been confirmed. The fee of '250 must be paid within seven calendar days of the date on which the payment form is activated. The amount will be discounted from the subsequent enrolment fee and is not returnable if students do not complete the enrolment process.
Successful applicants whose previous qualification was issued by a university outside Spain will be charged a fee of '218.15 to cover the cost of verifying that the degree is equivalent to a Spanish degree and grants access to official master's degree studies. This must be completed before they can complete the enrolment process.

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

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

Subject Type Language Credits
Specialization: Uses and Treatment of Water
Aquatic Ecosystems and Continental Waters in the Mediterranean Optional 1st semester 5
Biological Treatment Optional 1st semester 5
Communication and Dissemination in the Field of Water Compulsory 2nd semester 2.5
Decontamination of Continental Waters Optional 1st semester 2.5
Field School Optional 1st semester 5
Final Project Compulsory 2nd semester 25
Geographical Information Systems and Statistical Analysis Compulsory 2nd semester 5
Groundwater and Surface Water Pollution Optional 1st semester 5
Healthcare Aspects Optional 2nd semester 5
Hydrogeophysics and Design of Water Catchments Optional 1st semester 5
Institutional or Company Placement I Compulsory 2nd semester 5
Institutional or Company Placement II Compulsory 2nd semester 5
Methods for the Physical and Chemical Analysis of Water and Common Contaminants Compulsory 1st semester 5
Non-Conventional Resources Optional 1st semester 5
Physical-Chemical, Biological and Toxicological Water Analyses for the Study of Specific Problems Compulsory 1st semester 5
Project Management and Environmental Impact on the Water Vector Compulsory 1st semester 5
Public and Private Management of Water Compulsory 2nd semester 2.5
Socioeconomic Aspects and Taxation of Water Optional 1st semester 5
The Water Cycle and its Management Compulsory 1st semester 5
Variability, Climate Change and Flood Risk Optional 2nd semester 5
Water and Energy Optional 1st semester 2.5
Water Economics and Regulation Compulsory 1st semester 5
Water in Agriculture, Livestock Farming and Aquaculture Optional 2nd semester 5
Water Purification Treatments Optional 2nd semester 5
Water Quality for Different Uses Optional 1st semester 5
Specialization: Water Resources in the Water Cycle
Aquatic Ecosystems and Continental Waters in the Mediterranean Optional 1st semester 5
Biology and Geology for the Study of Water Systems Optional 1st semester 5
Climatology and Atmospheric Water Optional 1st semester 5
Communication and Dissemination in the Field of Water Compulsory 2nd semester 2.5
Decontamination of Continental Waters Optional 1st semester 2.5
Field School Optional 1st semester 5
Final Project Compulsory 2nd semester 25
Geographical Information Systems and Statistical Analysis Compulsory 2nd semester 5
Groundwater and Surface Water Pollution Optional 1st semester 5
Hydrogeology Optional 2nd semester 5
Hydrogeophysics and Design of Water Catchments Optional 1st semester 5
Institutional or Company Placement I Compulsory 2nd semester 5
Institutional or Company Placement II Compulsory 2nd semester 5
Marine Waters Optional 2nd semester 5
Methods for the Physical and Chemical Analysis of Water and Common Contaminants Compulsory 1st semester 5
Physical-Chemical, Biological and Toxicological Water Analyses for the Study of Specific Problems Compulsory 1st semester 5
Project Management and Environmental Impact on the Water Vector Compulsory 1st semester 5
Public and Private Management of Water Compulsory 2nd semester 2.5
Socioeconomic Aspects and Taxation of Water Optional 1st semester 5
Surface Hydrology Optional 2nd semester 5
The Water Cycle and its Management Compulsory 1st semester 5
Variability, Climate Change and Flood Risk Optional 2nd semester 5
Water and Energy Optional 1st semester 2.5
Water Economics and Regulation Compulsory 1st semester 5
Water in Agriculture, Livestock Farming and Aquaculture Optional 2nd semester 5

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

Access to the labour market

Data from the university system in Catalonia.

Contact us