Water Management

First semester

Your journey into water management starts with understanding water, landscapes and the environment. During several excursions in the South-West Delta of the Netherlands, you learn by exploring real water landscapes.

• You practise observing, measuring and investigating both above and below the water surface.
• You study topics such as water quality, currents, tides and soil, and learn how all these elements are connected.

Together with your group, you complete the semester with a report in which you map an area of 2.5 by 2.5 kilometres. You combine fieldwork with literature and map research to build a complete picture of the area.

Second semester

In the second semester, you move beyond observing what you see and start investigating why changes happen. How does oxygen depletion develop in water? Why do some water areas become more saline? And how do climate and human activity influence a landscape? You explore which factors cause changes in water systems and landscapes, and what this means for the function of an area and for the people who live or work there.

Field trip

You visit the Hollandse IJssel, one of the lowest-lying areas in the Netherlands. Here, you investigate the causes of different water challenges, such as flooding, land subsidence and freshwater availability.

In your second year, you discover how countries deal differently with water and climate challenges. You explore how environment, culture and human behaviour influence water management choices and learn how to apply your knowledge in an international context.

First semester

In the first semester, you travel to the source of the Rhine during a multi-day field trip. From there, you follow the river from its source to its mouth and discover how different countries use and manage water in their own way. You see how water is used in mountain areas, by industry and in floodplains, and investigate the differences between regions through measurements and fieldwork.

Second semester

In the second semester, you work on a project with one of HZ's research groups in the field of water or climate adaptation. The research groups combine regional challenges with international research and collaborations. You choose a specialisation that matches your interests, for example:

• Aquaculture
• Water Technology
• Building with Nature
• Resilient Deltas

In the third year of the programme, you carry out an internship, in the Netherlands or abroad. During your internship, you acquaint yourself with working as a water manager in a company or organization, and you act professionally according to your role and responsibilities.

Furthermore, you complete a five-month minor. Through this minor, you enhance the depth or breadth of your knowledge and skills. You can carry out your minor at one of the water-related research groups at HZ, at another HZ study programme, or at another university, in the Netherlands or abroad.

Research and Coastal Challenge

During the first half of the year, you carry out research within one of HZ’s water-related research groups. You also take part in the HZ Coastal Challenge. Together with students from the programmes Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering, you work on a complex coastal protection challenge. By combining your different areas of expertise, you learn how to develop solutions together.

Graduation

During your final semester, you complete your graduation internship. You work independently on a professional assignment while staying connected with your lecturers and fellow students. Through online classes and group sessions, you exchange knowledge and experiences and support each other on the way to graduation.

The HZ Honours Programme is an extra programme alongside your bachelor’s degree. Together with students from different study programmes, you work on a social challenge of your choice. Whether the issue is local or international, the programme helps you develop your talents, broaden your knowledge and contribute to a better future.

To qualify for admission to the Water Management programme you need:

• A qualification equivalent to a Dutch secondary education diploma, which gives you access to higher education.
• A good knowledge of one or more of the following subjects is preferable: biology, chemistry, mathematics or economics.

Read more about the admission and language requirements.

To be admitted to this programme, you need a diploma equivalent to a Dutch secondary education diploma (HAVO, VWO, or MBO level 4).

If your diploma is listed on the recognised foreign diplomas list , you are admissible provided you meet the additional requirements. If your diploma is not listed, you are still welcome to apply, we will assess your qualification individually. To ensure a fair evaluation, we work with Nuffic, the Dutch organisation responsible for assessing international diplomas.

If you do not have the required secondary school diploma and are 21 years or older, you may still be eligible for admission. HZ offers the possibility to take an alternative entrance exam.