Water and Environmental Engineering, Master of Science (Technology)
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Description
Our multidisciplinary master’s programme provides a broad view of the field. Our teaching combines theory with practice, including hands-on modelling work, case studies and project work.
The three study paths of the programme are Water Resources Management and Environmental Hydraulics, Water and Wastewater Engineering, and Water and Development. Each theme has its own thematic and methodological focuses, and you can mix courses from different themes into your major studies.
Our programme equips you with skills, knowledge and professional identity. For detailed information, see the Competences and related intended learning outcomes of the programme (ILOs)
Language of instruction
The language of instruction is English. More information and guidelines on the languages of the degree and instruction available in the university's website here.
Tuition fees and scholarships
Aalto University’s tuition fee for master’s programmes taught in English is 15 000 euros per academic year. Tuition fees apply to citizens of countries other than those of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
Aalto University has a scholarship programme to support non-EU/EEA citizens who study in a fee-charging degree programme. The scholarship may cover 100% or 50% of the tuition fee.
More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.
Structure of studies
The WAT Master’s Programme consists of 120 credits (ECTS), including following parts:
- Major (60 credits), including 15 credits common courses and 45 credits advanced courses
- Elective studies (30 credits): you can choose practically any combination of courses that supports your studies and suits your interests, from Aalto as well as other universities in Finland and abroad
- Master’s Thesis (30 credits); a piece of applied research conducted independently by the student, further strengthening your expertise.
The structure of the programme is designed so that you are able to complete your common and advanced studies during the first year. This leaves your second year for elective courses and the master's thesis. It also makes it easy for you to go for student exchange during the second year. Alternatively, you can further build your expertise by taking more of our advanced courses as elective courses.
The Master’s Thesis (30 credits) is a piece of applied research conducted independently by the student. Its key goal is to solve a problem relevant to the field of study, based on existing scientific knowledge and in compliance with the principles of responsible conduct of research.
More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student guide.
Webinar | Water and Environmental Engineering
Want to hear more about the Master's Programme in Water and Environmental Engineering? In this webinar the programme representatives will introduce the programme and answer your questions regarding the studies in the programme.
Specialisations
The major studies are divided into three study paths: Water Resources Management and Environmental Hydraulics, Water and Wastewater Engineering and Water and Development.
All these themes have their own thematic and methodological focuses and you can mix courses from different themes into your major. However, we recommend you take multiple courses within at least one theme to ensure that you gain enough in-depth expertise.
Internationalisation
We encourage you to leave for study exchange to further strengthen your competence. We have also planned our programme so that this is possible within the 2 years intended to complete your Master’s degree.
Many of our own major courses have international focus, and one of them (SGT Studio course) even provides you a possibility to carry out an international student project in different parts of the world: recent SGT project locations have included e.g. Mexico, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Nepal. For more information, see https://sgt.aalto.fi
Our Water and Environmental Engineering Research Group is international, with our staff members including experts around the world. We collaborate with various international universities, and many of our research topics are global, and include e.g. research on linkages between water and development (see https://wdrg.aalto.fi). We also collaborate with Aalto Global Impact regarding our research: https://aaltoglobalimpact.org
Further study opportunities
The degree grants eligibility for doctoral studies.
Career opportunities
Water and environmental engineering provides you with diverse career opportunities. The employment situation in our field is good, and our graduates have good possibilities to advance in their career. After finishing their degree, our graduates typically work e.g. as planners, technical experts, and managers, with the employers including particularly the private sector and public sector organisations, but also civil society organisations as well as academia. It is also common to change your workplace if you want to; you do not have to work in one sector of society for the rest of your life!
For more information on our field’s career prospects, please visit Aalto Career Design Lab -webpage.
Research focus
The main research themes of the Water and Environmental Engineering Research Group are same than the themes of our Master’s Programme, namely Water Resources Management and Environmental Hydraulics, Water and Wastewater Engineering and Water and Development.
Find out more about Water and Environmental Research at Aalto University.
Co-operation with other parties
We collaborate closely with our stakeholders within our Master’s Programme, engaging with both public and private sector actors in our education. Visiting lectures and joint project work provide you with a view on and connections to our field’s working life.
We also collaborate with other Master’s Programme at Aalto University in our education.
Get to know us
Student Aino Ahvo works with the Baltic Sea pollution
Aino Ahvo considers that her master’s programme gives tools that can help to solve the Baltic Sea pollution problems.
Maria Kosonen chose to study Water and Environmental Engineering as she was interested in environmental issues
During her studies Maria Kosonen has got international experiences from Australia and Kenya, and soon also from Spain.
Student Artem Makarov found his dream job in industrial water treatment
Artem Makarov, who is originally from Russia, is now finalizing his studies and working full-time simultaneously.
Water and Environmental Engineering
Water and Environmental Engineering research at Aalto University aims to find solutions to decrease resource scarcity and to support sustainability. Our research is divided into two strategic areas: global water issues and sustainable circular economy, which are further divided into four research entities.
Chat with Aalto students
Are you wondering what it is like to study at Aalto University? Or what student life is like at Aalto’s vibrant Otaniemi Campus or at the Mikkeli Unit? Come chat with our students about all things Aalto!
Admission requirements
Aalto University's student selection process is competitive and paper-based. Applications that pass the eligibility check (administrative evaluation) conducted by Aalto University Admissions Services proceed to the school's programme-specific academic evaluation.
The following are used as criteria for academic evaluation in 2023:
Academic performance
What is evaluated: Grades of the previous degree(s)
What we look for in an applicant: Grades need to be mainly very good or excellent. The applicant's success in his/her previous studies (those that give basis for applying to the programme) will be evaluated based on the cumulative grade point average (CGPA).
Method of demonstrating competence: Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s)
Relevance of previous studies
What is evaluated: The relevance of contents and scope of previous studies to Water and Environmental Engineering Master’s Programme
What we look for in an applicant: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in a relevant field, with the course contents suiting very well to Water and Environmental Engineering Master’s Programme. In addition to the studies giving basis to apply to the programme, other possible studies are also evaluated.
Method of demonstrating competence: Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s)
Recognition and quality of institution
What is evaluated: Recognition and quality of the applicant's previous institution
What we look for in an applicant: The applicant's previous institution (where the degree giving basis to apply was completed) will be evaluated based on the recognition and quality of the institution.
Method of demonstrating competence: International and national rankings of higher education institutions
Suitability
What is evaluated: Applicant’s further applicability to the study option as well as motivation and commitment for studies. Also work experience as well as other acquired knowledge and achievements (e.g. publications, non-formal education, competitions) are evaluated based on documents submitted (incl. Motivation letter and CV)
What we look for in an applicant: The applicant should be motivated to study the chosensubject and committed to full-time studies with a plan to complete the Master’s degree in two years. We are looking for applicants who are able to express clearly the reasons for applying to the study option and describe why they would be good candidates for the study option.
Method of demonstrating competence: Motivation letter
The water and environmental engineering field is diverse, and we therefore welcome students with diverse backgrounds to our programme. Being an engineering master’s programme, we expect our students to be skilled in mathematics and physics. However, an engineering background is not a precondition to apply.
Study option -specific documents requirements
The documents required from all applicants are listed on https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes. In addition, applicants to this programme are requested to provide the following study option-specific documents (if applicable):
The lack of these two document will adversely affect the evaluation of the application.
1) Motivation letter
- Max 1 page
- Should be written in English
A motivation letter is an important part of your application. It gives you an opportunity to present relevant pieces of information that cannot be provided elsewhere in the application.
Examples of questions to consider when writing the motivation letter:
- Why are you applying for the master’s programme in Water and Environmental Engineering WAT?
- What do you expect to gain from studies in WAT master’s programme?
- Why do you think you are the right person for WAT master’s programme?
- How will your previous education, work experience, knowledge and skills support your success in your master’s degree studies?
- Describe your professional goals. How do you think WAT master’s programme would support the development of your professional profile?
- In which sector would you like to work in the future? What kind of career are you planning?
- Why do you want to study at Aalto University and in Finland?
- In case you already have completed another master’s degree or if you have a study right to another master’s or doctoral programme, you are asked to explain why you are applying to complete another master's degree.
- You are also engouraged to include links to the websites that demonstrate your competence (e.g. LinkedIn, personal portfolio)
2) Curriculum vitae
- max 2 pages, written in English
- You are also engouraged to include links to the websites that demonstrate your competence (e.g. LinkedIn, personal portfolio)
These additional documents will add value to your application
- recommendation letters
- certificates from work experience
Programme director
Contact information
Päivi Kauppinen
Planning officer (content and studies of the programme)
Aalto University, Admission Services
For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admission Services at