Master of Science (MSc) in Water and Environment

About the programme

The MSc programme in Water and Environment takes place in China. It enables you to work professionally with sustainable management of freshwater resources in the context of environmental quality and climate change. Furthermore, the programme gives you insights into the language, culture, and society of China. Please note that students at this programme must (as the general rule) be in China for the entire duration of their studies.

Admission and application

To apply for admission to this master's degree programme, you must have completed a qualifying bachelor’s degree or a similar Danish or international degree programme which is assessed to be relevant. Apply for admission via the application portal.

Below, you can read more about admission requirements and which documents to upload in the application portal. 

Academic admission requirements

Here you'll find the different academic requirements depending on which qualifying degree you hold.

You meet all academic requirements if you hold one of these Bachelor's degrees from Danish universities listed below. Learn about when and how to apply. Note, however, that you still need to document that you meet the programme's language requirements.

From University of Copenhagen

  • Natural Resources, specialisation in Environmental Science
  • Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Biotechnology
  • Chemistry
  • Geology-Geoscience

From Aarhus University

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Geoscience
  • Bachelor in Civil Engineering (Biotechnology, or Chemistry Technology)

From Aalborg University 

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Biotechnology
  • Bachelor in Civil Engineering (Chemistry Technology, or Environmental Technology)

From Danish Technical University

  • Bachelor in Civil Engineering (Biotechnology, Chemistry and Technology, or Environmental Technology)

From University of Southern Denmark

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • BSc in Civil Engineering (Chemistry, and Biotechnology)

Check which master’s programmes at UCPH your bachelor programme is pre-approved for admission - only available in Danish >>

If you have a Bachelor’s degree other than those listed above, you must submit additional documentation along with your application so we can evaluate whether or not you meet the admission requirements. Learn about when and how to apply.

To be admitted to the MSc programme in Water and Environment, you must have:

  • A successfully completed Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) or higher in a natural science field such as Agricultural Science, Biology, Environmental Sciences, Engineering or Natural Resources. The Bachelor’s degree must as a minimum include basic courses in mathematics, chemistry, biology and statistics.
  • High-level English language proficiency.

Qualifying degree and other courses/projects

When we assess whether you meet the admission requirements for the Master's degree program, Danish legislation only allows us to assess your Bachelor's degree. Consequently, you cannot study supplementary courses between Bachelor's and Master's degree programs to meet the admission requirements.

If you have passed courses/projects before you complete the qualifying Bachelor's degree, these can be included in the assessment, even though they are not part of the Bachelor's degree program.

  • It applies to courses/projects you have taken as single subjects and courses/projects you have taken as part of another study program.
  • A maximum of 30 ECTS credits of these courses/projects may be included.

Language Requirements

Unless you hold a Bachelor's degree from a Danish University, you are required to document proficiency in English according to your background.

See language requirements

Application deadline

Study start in September

1 March at 23:59

Application deadline for all applicants.
Open for applications from 16 January. You will receive a reply by 10 June.

How to apply

Choose the category below that fits you and read more about how to apply for admission. You will also find information about application deadlines and documentation on the websites.

Please note: According to national legislation in China, Chinese citizens cannot apply for admission to Water and Environment through a Danish university. Instead, Chinese Citizens must apply for admission through University of Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Citizen in Denmark, EU EEA og Switzerland

Bachelor’s degree from Denmark

International bachelor’s degree

Citizen in a country outside EU, EEA or Switzerland

Bachelor’s degree from Denmark

International bachelor’s degree

Admission statistics Water and Environment 2023
Admitted 19
Admission distribution (legal right/other) 0% / 100%
Applicants 9 (from DK)
Legal gender distribution (cpr. - m/f) 58% / 42%
Nationality (dk/international) 5% / 95%
Available spots No

Programme structure

Water and Environment is a two-year MSc programme consisting of four 15 ECTS course modules, and a 60 ECTS MSc thesis. Please note that as a student at this programme, you must (as the general rule) be in China for the entire duration of your studies.

During the programme you focus on five main areas:

  • Hydrology, Freshwater Ecology and Biogeochemistry
  • Pollutants and Pollution Control
  • Statistics, Modelling and Global Change
  • Integrated Water Management and Legislation
  • The thesis project with both a Danish and a Chinese supervisor

The courses during the first year provide you with knowledge and competencies in basic disciplines, but you will also follow solution-oriented courses such as water pollution control, soil and groundwater remediation, water management and computer modelling of future scenarios regarding water resources and quality.

The courses also prepare you for the independent thesis work (60 ECTS) in the second year of the programme.

Teaching and Language

The teaching is organised in small, exclusive classes (maximum 30 students) in alternation with practical exercises, project assignments, and excursions. These activities ensure a high level of learning and let you apply research and investigative methods in practice as well as theory.

All teaching is in English. You are not required to speak Chinese at the university. However, all international students studying in China must attend language and culture classes alongside their studies.

On completion of the MSc programme you will be awarded the title Master of Science (MSc) in Water and Environment.

Programme Overview

Compulsory courses: 60 ECTS
Master's thesis: 60 ECTS

Year 1

1st semester2nd semester
Hydrology, Freshwater Ecology and Biogeochemistry (15 ECTS)Statistics, Modelling and Global Change (15 ECTS)
Pollutants and Pollution Control (15 ECTS)Integrated Water Management and Legislation (15 ECTS)

Year 2

3rd semester4th semester
Thesis (60 ECTS)

Please note: The programme curriculum is for the current academic year. A revised curriculum for the coming academic year will follow.

Video: Study Water and Environment

Meet SDC graduate Tanja Krogh Sørensen and find out what she has learned from taking her double Master's degree in Water and Environment in China. Please note: The video is in Danish with English subtitles.

Video: Water and Environment – the First Field Trip

New knowledge and learning to cooperate! Join Jens-Peter and Zhang Jiejie, who arrived at SDC less than two weeks ago for their first mini field excursion, where they learn about water quality from Professor Erik Jeppesen.

Career opportunities

The two-year MSc programme in Water and Environment gives you the expertise to work with sustainable use and management of global freshwater resources.

This is crucial, as water resources are under increasing pressure from overuse and pollution, intensified by population growth and climate change. Thus, the demand for graduates with this profile is growing both in Denmark and internationally.

During the programme, you will get a deep understanding of the challenges and solutions to secure sufficient supplies of water suitable for drinking and agricultural production while ensuring the stability of ecosystems.

Competence Description

The programme will prepare you to work professionally with the challenges of:

  • reducing and preventing water pollution
  • promoting sustainable use of water
  • protecting the environment
  • improving the state of water ecosystems
  • reducing the effects of floods and drought.

Employment

With an MSc in Water and Environment you can work within research, administration, consultancy, and project management. Graduates find work in, for example:

  • engineering consultancy companies
  • manufacturing companies, including companies that manufacture environmental technology products
  • ministries and public administration institutions that set the political framework for the regulation of water and environment and carry out supervisory tasks
  • educational institutions
  • research institutions and companies
  • international organisations
  • food and pharmaceutical companies
  • professional agricultural organisations, including consultancy firms.

Here, you can contribute to reducing and preventing water pollution, promoting sustainable use of water, protecting the environment, improving the state of aquatic ecosystems, and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.

Video: Water and Environment MSc programme – A Career Example

Tanja Krogh Sørensen is a graduate in Water and Environment. She tells about her job as a laboratory technician testing water quality at Atlantic Sapphire, a salmon farming company. Please note: The video is in Danish with English subtitles.

Student life

The teaching at Sino-Danish Center takes place in the House of the Danish Industry Foundation, which is located on UCAS’ Yanqihu campus 60 km north-east of Beijing.

The Great Wall of China is within walking distance from campus and so is the beautiful Yanqi Lake. On and around campus you can find dormitories for students, canteens, supermarkets, restaurants, and a lot of sports facilities. Local busses can take you from campus to the nearby town, Huairou where you can find more supermarkets, restaurants, shopping malls and a cinema. Moreover, you can transfer to the express bus to Beijing from Huairou.

Sino-Danish Center’s Danish and Chinese staff members also have an office in the House of the Danish Industry Foundation.

Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research (SDC)

Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research (SDC) is a partnership between eight Danish universities, the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education, the Chinese university University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), and the Chinese research institute Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

The aim of SDC is to promote and strengthen collaboration between Danish and Chinese research and education environments for the benefit of both countries.

Where is SDC?

The home of SDC is the House of the Danish Industry Foundation, which is located on UCAS’ Yanqihu campus north of Beijing. On sight you will find both Danish and Chinese staff, researchers and students. SDC also has a Danish office located in Aarhus.

Need more information?

Visit the SDC website or on Facebook or Instagram

Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research
Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research

Programme contact

If you have any questions regarding the Water and Environment programme please contact Head of Educational Programme, Kristian Koefoed Brandt: kkb@plen.ku.dk or phone: +45 20875635

Address in Denmark

Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research
Dalgas Avenue 4, Building 3410, 5th floor
DK-8000 Aarhus C
Email: contact@sdc.university

Contact student guidance

Contact SCIENCE Student Service

Do you have questions about the programme structure, study or career opportunities, admission requirements or application procedure, please feel free to contact SCIENCE Student Services.

Contact SCIENCE Student Services

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