I feel privileged and lucky to have joined UNU-FLORES as a visiting researcher under the program because it has helped me broaden my understanding of the Resource Nexus concept.
About the program
Overview and Background
The Joint Master's program (M.Sc — equivalent to M.Tech) on "Water Security and Global Change" is truly international, welcoming applications from candidates of all nationalities and exposing them to learning environments in both the Global South and the Global North on the critical and pressing issue of water security.
This new Master's program combines the expertise of all partner institutions to deliver an integrated and holistic approach, addressing the needs of regional, national, and international stakeholders. Existing modules serve as the foundation for the program, which adopts a modular structure featuring a mobility window for study abroad and options for specialization.
Courses are taught by experts from the participating institutions. Internships and Master's theses are carried out in close collaboration with selected companies, governmental agencies, and NGOs. Based on a jointly developed and implemented curriculum, the program is offered collaboratively by three degree-awarding universities — RWTH Aachen, IIT Madras, and TU Dresden — along with two associated partners, UNU-Flores and AIT Bangkok.
Program at a glance
- Joint degree awarded by three partner universities
- Single cohort mobility across IIT Madras, TU Dresden, and RWTH Aachen
- 120 ECTS credits over four semesters
- Industry and NGO collaboration for internships and thesis
Curriculum
What Does This Programme Offer?
- Understanding Water Systems — Gain a deep understanding of the hydrological cycle and how water interacts with the environment, society, and ecosystems.
- Global Change Impacts — Explore the effects of climate change on water resources and ecosystems, including changes in temperature, precipitation, and sea level rise.
- Water Policy and Governance — Learn about policies, regulations, and governance structures that govern water resources from local to international scales.
- Water Quality and Pollution — Study sources of water pollution, its impacts on human health, and strategies for monitoring and improving water quality.
- Water Resource Management — Develop skills in managing and optimizing water resources, including sustainable use and integrated water resource management.
- Risk Assessment and Resilience — Assess and mitigate water-related risks such as floods, droughts, and water scarcity while building resilience.
- Interdisciplinary Approaches — Learn how to collaborate across disciplines, integrating knowledge from environmental science, engineering, policy, economics, and social sciences to address water security challenges.
- Research and Analysis — Develop research skills and analytical abilities to investigate complex water-related problems and propose evidence-based solutions.
- Ethical and Social Considerations — Consider the ethical, social, and equity aspects of water security, recognizing that access to clean water is a fundamental human right.
- Communication and Leadership — Improve communication and leadership skills, essential for working in interdisciplinary teams and advocating for water security policies and practices.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- Explain, discuss, and use fundamental scientific knowledge about water security, water resource management, safe water supply, water treatment, and climate adaptation measures.
- Design and conduct scientific water engineering experiments, process the collected data, and analyze and interpret the processed results.
- Develop and use mathematical models to simulate, process, and interpret water resource management data and solve related problems.
- Perform a literature study to identify a knowledge gap, formulate a research question, and build on existing knowledge to solve stakeholders' problems.
- Improve methodologies for water security and climate adaptation that drive technological innovations for the responsible and sustainable use of Earth's water resources.
- Observe, characterize, and explain — Earth system processes related to application areas of water security and global change.
- Challenge existing knowledge — Show a constructive critical attitude, propose novel and creative solutions, and exercise independent judgment.
- Use written and oral communication skills — Effectively exchange information and ideas with scientists and engineers, the public, and other stakeholders in the field of water management and global change.
- Initiate, design, plan, and monitor — A project to meet the requirements set by the stakeholder.
- Work effectively — In teams of diverse expertise, skills, characters, and cultures.
- Acquire new knowledge and skills — To continue operating effectively.
- Uphold and evaluate ethical standards — For scientific integrity and evaluate societal and economic trade-offs, and relevant ethical issues when developing technological innovations.
Experience
Program Insights
Structure
Study Program
IIT Madras is offering 6 courses (4 Mandatory and 2 Elective), and TU Dresden and RWTH Aachen are offering 6 courses each (3 Mandatory and 3 Elective courses). The final semester is dedicated to the execution of a Master's Thesis with advisors from the partner universities.
Schedule
Program Timeline
The Joint Master Program has a scope of earning 120 ECTS-Points / 213 IITM credits in total. It consists of three semesters of course work with 90 ECTS-Points / 159 IITM credits in total and a fourth semester of thesis of 30 ECTS / 54 IITM credits. Each semester consists of 30 ECTS-Points / 54 IITM credits of course work with courses of 5 or 7.5 ECTS-Points.
Thirty ECTS (51~54 IITM credits) per semester may change according to the agreed schedule (see above Program Timeline Table). Course work consists of mandatory and elective courses. Courses are offered equally by all 3 partner universities that sum up to 30 ECTS-Points / 53 IITM credits provided by each partner university. The programme enables to define up to 30 ECTS-Points / 53 IITM credits elective courses.
Courses
Courses by Partner University
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Mandatory Courses 4 courses
RWTH Aachen University
Mandatory Courses 3 courses
Elective Courses 12 courses
- International Project Management
- Technological Modernization & Globalization
- Environment, Local Economies & Resource Conflict
- Geographic Information Systems in Water Management I
- Hydrodynamic Simulation
- Seminar on Hydraulic Engineering
- Numerical Modelling in Water Resources Management
- Geographic Information Systems in Water Management II
- Flood Risk Management
- Sediment Transport & Morphodynamics
- Industrial Wastewater Treatment
- Sanitary Engineering in Developing Countries
Technical University Dresden
Requirements
Eligibility Criteria
Admission to the program may be granted to applicants who have obtained a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification that fulfills the following conditions:
Admissions
How to Apply Closed 2026–27
01
Online Application
Complete the online application form. An application fee of INR 1,500 for Indian nationals and €15 for foreign nationals is applicable.
02
Preliminary Screening
Await results of the initial review. Shortlisted candidates will be notified by email.
03
Secondary Screening
Shortlisted applicants enter a secondary process that may include online tests and interviews by the Selection Committee.
04
Enrolment Offer
Selected students receive a formal invitation to enrol in the Joint Master's Program.
Fees
Fee Structure for the Program
| Semester | Institute | IIT Madras (INR) | TU Dresden (€) | RWTH Aachen (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | IIT Madras | 65,402 | 106.7 | 12.83 |
| II | TU Dresden | 38,000 | 304.5 | 12.83 |
| III | RWTH Aachen | 15,402 | 9.2 | 304.47 |
| IV.A | IIT Madras | 38,000 | 106.7 | 12.83 |
| IV.B | TU Dresden | 13,000 | 304.5 | 12.83 |
| IV.C | RWTH Aachen | 13,000 | 9.2 | 304.47 |
Notes:
- In the fourth semester, students may enroll at any partner institution for the Master's thesis; fees vary accordingly.
- Students are individually responsible for acquiring visas for India and Germany.
- Medical insurance is inclusive with IITM fees; students must acquire insurance for their stay in Germany.
- Accommodation, living, and traveling costs are not included in the fees. Scholarship opportunities are available.
Voices
Students' Testimony
The support and guidance from the professors and fellow researchers at TU Dresden strengthened the quality of my research and broadened my perspective.
The IIT Madras campus impressed me with its beautiful natural setting and the unique experience of studying in such a lively environment.
Collaborating with highly experienced professors and fellow researchers proved instrumental in elevating the quality of my PhD thesis.