The two-year master program is based on a systems perspective and provides extended knowledge about water and soil systems and how these interact. This includes the spreading of dissolved substances and pollutants in various water systems and associated risks for society. Questions related to water resources are also covered: the management of water resources and conflicts as well as collaborations related to shared water resources on local, regional and global scales. The importance of water resources for both society and environment is emphasized through applications to practical water resources management challenges in society.

Students completing the programme are expected to be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of hydrological and hydrogeological processes, the main components of the water cycle, and vulnerability and resilience of water resources, use models, mathematical equations and information systems as important tools for dealing with water related problems (including environmental aspects and ecological economics), handle hydrologic data, including methods for time series analyses and management of spatial data using geographic information systems (GIS) and geostatistics, and be able to quantify and handle uncertainty, probability and risk.

Mahmoud Suliman is a second-year master's student (Master's programme in Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Water Resources) from Sudan who wants to make an impact. Watch the film and read the text below to get to know his story.

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Programme overview

The two-year Master’s Programme consists of 120 credits (Second Level/Cycle, 2 years, daytime, study tempo 100%): 

• 45 credits Mandatory advanced courses
• 15-45 credits Optional courses
• 30-60 credits Master thesis (mandatory)

Year 1

Autumn term 2021

• Water Resources Sustainability, 15 credits
• Hydrological Modelling, 15 credits

Spring term 2022

Period 1:
15 credits optional courses. Courses within the subject hydrolgy:

• Permafrost - Interactions with Ecosystems and Hydrology, 7.5 credits (period A)
• Advanced Hydrology 7.5 credits (period A)
• Advanced Hydrogeology, 7.5 credits (period B)

Period 2: 

• Water Management and Pollution, 15 credits

Summer term 2022

The optional course Ecohydrology, 7.5 credits is based on theory and field-based experimentation relevant for ecohydrology at the Navarino Environmental Observatory (NEO) in Greece.

Year 2

The number of optional courses taken will be dependent on the period of time devoted to the Master thesis 30, 45 or 60 credits, which may extend over one or two terms Degree Project in Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology 30/45/60 credits.

Independent project

The number of optional courses taken will be dependent on the period of time devoted to the Master thesis 30, 45 or 60 credits, which may extend over one or two terms.

The Master thesis consists of an individual thesis work, and you will learn to plan a larger project and conducting it using relevant methods. You will get training in collecting, process, critically examine and present your data. An important part of the course is also to put your work in perspective with respect to current scientific discussions and knowledge. You will present your work as a written scientific thesis and during an oral presentation.

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Career opportunities

This knowledge is crucial for working with water enterprises, protected water areas and pollutes areas both internationally and nationally, for instance at government agencies and corporations. Our alumni have found employment at for instance the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), NIRAS, Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU), Sweco, AECOM, ÅF, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket) and Berg AB as hydrogeologists, hydrologists or environmental consultants.