Studies & Degrees in Hydraulic Engineering
Hydraulic Engineering Study Programs
Hydraulic engineering is a sub-discipline of civil engineering. It applies the principles of fluid mechanics to the collection, storage, control, transport, regulation, measurement and use of water. In practice that means dams and reservoirs, canals and irrigation schemes, river works and flood defences, ports and coastal structures, water supply networks, and sewer and drainage systems.
Students first learn the common base of civil engineering: mathematics, physics, mechanics and construction. On top of that come fluid mechanics, hydrology, open-channel and pipe flow, sediment transport, and the design of hydraulic structures. Much of the work is done with numerical models and in hydraulics laboratories, where scale models of rivers, spillways or harbours are tested.
Qualifications and levels
Hydraulic engineering is rarely a first degree in its own right. The usual route is a degree in civil engineering, followed by a specialisation in water at master's level.
- Bachelor's or professional degree in civil engineering. At the Universidad de Concepción in Chile, Ingeniería Civil lasts 10 semesters and covers geotechnics, structures, construction, hydraulics, sanitary engineering, roads and transport. It leads to the professional title of Ingeniero/a Civil, and the university states that the programme is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
- Master's degree in civil engineering with a water specialisation. The master's programme in Civil Engineering Science at TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) takes 4 semesters and 120 ECTS credits and is taught in German. Students choose two of six specialisations, one of which is Water & Resources, and write a 30-ECTS master's thesis. The faculty has an Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management. At TU Delft in the Netherlands, the MSc Civil Engineering takes 24 months and 120 ECTS credits and is taught in English. Two of its six tracks are Hydraulic Engineering and Hydraulic & Offshore Structures.
- Specialised master's degree. In Spain, official degrees are bachelor's degrees (grado) of 240 ECTS credits and master's degrees of 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. The Universitat Politècnica de València offers the Máster Universitario en Ingeniería Hidráulica y Medio Ambiente, an official master's degree of 90 ECTS credits that lasts a year and a half and trains specialists in water resources management.
- Postgraduate and short courses for professionals. IHE Delft Institute for Water Education offers two master's programmes in Water and Sustainable Development in Delft, as well as online and on-campus short courses for mid-career professionals.
Where to study it
Because the subject sits inside civil engineering, it is taught at technical universities and engineering faculties in most countries. Programmes with "hydraulic engineering" in the name are less common. This directory lists schools for the subject in Egypt (Mansoura University), Austria (TU Wien), Chile (Universidad de Concepción) and Venezuela (Universidad Central de Venezuela).
The language of instruction depends on the country and the level. The TU Wien master's programme is taught in German. The master's degree in Valencia is taught in Spanish and asks for CEFR level B2 in Spanish. TU Delft teaches its civil engineering master's programme in English, and IHE Delft states that all its programmes and courses are taught in English.
Admission to a master's programme normally requires a first degree in civil engineering or a related field. TU Wien, for example, admits graduates of an accredited bachelor's or diploma programme in a relevant subject and assesses each applicant's prior education individually.
Careers
Hydraulic engineers work for engineering consultancies, construction companies, water utilities, river basin and port authorities, irrigation agencies, hydropower companies and research laboratories. Typical tasks are the design of dams, pipelines and drainage systems, flood risk studies, coastal protection, and the operation and maintenance of water infrastructure.
Official statistics do not count hydraulic engineers separately; they are part of civil engineering. In the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of civil engineers will grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. It notes that water systems must be maintained to reduce the loss of drinking water. According to the same source, entry-level civil engineers do not need a licence, but engineers who provide services directly to the public usually do. Rules for signing off projects differ by country, so students who plan to work abroad should check whether their degree gives access to the profession there.
Frequently asked questions
Is hydraulic engineering a separate degree?
Usually not. Most students take a degree in civil engineering and specialise in hydraulics or water resources in the final years or in a master's programme. Some universities offer a dedicated master's degree, such as the 90-ECTS master's degree in hydraulic engineering and environment in Valencia.
How long does it take to become a hydraulic engineer?
It depends on the country. The civil engineering degree at the Universidad de Concepción lasts 10 semesters. In Europe a master's programme of 90 to 120 ECTS credits normally follows a bachelor's degree; the programmes at TU Wien and TU Delft both take two years.
Can hydraulic engineering be studied in English?
Yes. The MSc Civil Engineering at TU Delft, with its Hydraulic Engineering track, is taught in English, and so are all programmes at IHE Delft. Other programmes are taught in the local language, for example German at TU Wien and Spanish in Valencia.
What does a master's degree in hydraulic engineering cost in Spain?
At the Universitat Politècnica de València the price per credit for the 2026-27 academic year is €35.34 for Spanish, EU and resident students and €70.68 for other international students, for a programme of 90 ECTS credits.