Skip to content

Studies & Degrees in Water Science

Water science studies water as a natural resource: where it is found, how it moves, what it contains and how people use, treat and protect it. Its core is hydrology, which the US Geological Survey defines as the science of the occurrence, distribution, movement and properties of the waters of the earth and their relationship with the environment. Around that core, programmes add water chemistry, microbiology, treatment technology, ecology, law and management.

Students learn to measure and model rivers, lakes and groundwater, to analyse water quality in the laboratory, and to understand how drinking water is produced and wastewater is cleaned. Most programmes combine lectures with laboratory courses and fieldwork, and many end with a research thesis or a project carried out with a water company or public agency.

Qualifications and levels

Water science is offered under different names and at different levels. Some universities teach it as a degree of its own; others as a specialisation inside environmental science, geology, chemistry or civil engineering.

  • Bachelor's level. At the University of Florida, Water Science is one of two specialisations of the Bachelor of Science in Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, a degree of 120 credits. The University of Maryland offers a Hydrology Minor for students of other majors, with courses such as Groundwater and Watershed and Wetland Hydrology.
  • Master's level. The Universität Duisburg-Essen runs an international Master of Science in Water Science that lasts four semesters including the thesis and is taught in English. It covers instrumental analysis, environmental microbiology, biotechnology, water process technology, wastewater treatment, hygiene and toxicology, and quality management. Utrecht University offers Water Management for Climate Adaptation, a two-year, full-time master's programme taught in English that leads to an MSc in Environmental Sciences.
  • Spain. Official university degrees follow a fixed structure: a bachelor's degree (grado) of 240 ECTS credits and master's degrees of 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. The Máster Universitario en Gestión Integral del Agua of the Universidad de Cádiz has 60 credits taken in one academic year, is taught on site and offers 30 places. According to the university, it was designed in response to the training needs created by the European Union's Water Framework Directive.

Admission

Master's programmes expect a first degree in a related field. Duisburg-Essen asks for a university bachelor's degree in natural sciences or engineering with chemical, analytical and biological content, and proof of English of at least TOEFL 100 (internet-based) or IELTS 6.5. Utrecht has a selective admission procedure and names Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Natural Sciences, Hydrology and Physical Geography among the relevant bachelor's subjects.

Where to study it

This directory lists 12 schools that teach water science. Four are in the United States, three in Spain and two in Germany; Canada, the Netherlands and Ecuador have one each. Examples are the University of Florida in Gainesville, the University of Maryland in College Park, the Universität Duisburg-Essen and the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar in Germany, Utrecht University in the Netherlands, McGill University in Montreal, and the Universidad de Cádiz, the Universidad de Almería and the Universidad de Salamanca in Spain.

The language of instruction depends on the country and the level. The master's programmes in Duisburg-Essen and Utrecht are taught in English. Programmes at Spanish universities, such as the master's degree in Cádiz, are normally taught in Spanish, so international students should check the language requirement of each programme before applying.

Careers

Graduates work on water supply, wastewater treatment, flood and drought management, groundwater protection and environmental monitoring. The US Geological Survey describes hydrologists as people who apply scientific knowledge and mathematical principles to solve water-related problems of quantity, quality and availability. The Universidad de Cádiz states that graduates of its master's degree can work in companies and institutions related to water management.

In the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that hydrologists typically need a bachelor's degree in geology, hydrology or a related field, and that some employers prefer a master's degree. It projects employment of hydrologists to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations, with about 400 openings a year. Federal and state government each employ about a quarter of hydrologists there, followed by consulting services.

Frequently asked questions

Is water science the same as hydrology?

Not exactly. Hydrology, the study of the occurrence, movement and properties of water, is the core of the subject. Water science programmes usually add chemistry, microbiology, treatment technology and management.

Can I study water science in English?

Yes. Besides programmes in English-speaking countries, the Master of Science in Water Science at the Universität Duisburg-Essen and the master's programme Water Management for Climate Adaptation at Utrecht University are taught in English.

How long does a master's degree in water science take?

One to two years, depending on the country. The master's degree in Cádiz has 60 credits in one academic year; the programmes in Duisburg-Essen and Utrecht take two years.

What background do I need for a master's degree?

Usually a bachelor's degree in natural sciences, environmental sciences, earth sciences or engineering. Duisburg-Essen also requires documented practical courses in chemical, analytical and microbiological topics.