Integrated Water Resources Management

Within the MSc IWRM students get acquainted with water management related topics such as flood risk, hydrology, river engineering, sanitation and public health, watershed management, water supply and demand, water system analysis, and others. The Master's thesis is completed in the framework of a water-related research project of the ITT or with a partner institution.

Educational organisation

The Master's programme starts in the winter semester of each academic year. It consists of modules, which are usually block-structured. During the first three semesters, students attend lectures and seminars; the fourth semester is devoted to the writing of the Master's thesis, normally in conjunction with a period abroad. The standard period of study includes the examination and research semester. Lectures take place Mondays to Thursdays from 2pm to 7pm.

The programme is structured into the following parts:

• First semester: basic modules (Geography, Economics, Project Management, International Cooperation and Information Sciences), project work
• Second and third semesters: specification modules from the area "Integrated Water Management"; in addition, elective modules from the areas "Renewable Energy Management", "Environmental and Land Use Management", "Urban and Regional Management" as well as "Methods and Tools" can be chosen.
• Fourth semester: field research abroad (up to three months) and writing of the Master's thesis

Study abroad unit(s)

The ITT supports studies abroad by recognising the modules of other universities. Particularly good opportunities to study abroad are offered at our partner universities in Spain, Brazil, Chile, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Mexico, Nepal, and Vietnam.
The institute also aims to enable all students to travel to a country in the tropics or subtropics for their Master's thesis, for a period of three to six months.

Forms of assessment

Forms of assessment vary from written or oral exams to presentations and group work. The programme makes up about 20 credit hours (30 ECTS credit points) per semester.

Course objectives

The overall objective of the Master's course is to educate experts in the field of Integrated Water Resource Management. Experts are in high demand for leading positions in the water sector and are able to manage complex projects for international institutions and companies.
The Master's course provides engineers, architects and natural scientists with additional subject-related know-how dealing with appropriate technologies in the tropics and the subtropics as well as with fundamental skills in resources management. Students set their focus (elective module) within the timetable as best fits their goals.
The aim of the Master's course is to impart knowledge concerning complex economic and technological aspects, taking into consideration ecological circumstances. In addition to technical knowledge, students are also introduced to the principles of economics and are trained in the application of technologies and management strategies. Students will become acquainted with and will learn how to use decision instruments which contribute to sustainable ecological and economic development.

Language requirements

• Certified proficiency in English - TOEFL 550 points, iBT TOEFL 79 points, computer TOEFL 213 points, IELTS Band 6.0, Cambridge ESOL (FCE)
• The English proficiency test should not be older than five years.
• Foreign applicants applying for a DAAD scholarship: basic German language skills recommended

Academic requirements

For admission to the Master's programme "Integrated Water Resources Management" (MSc), applicants are required to have successfully completed studies in the field of engineering or natural science (at least a Bachelor's or comparable degree). The following branches of study are eligible: engineering sciences, natural sciences, architecture, agriculture sciences, life sciences, earth sciences, informatics.

The following application documents are required:

• Letter of motivation
• Curriculum vitae (in tabular form)
• Formulated project/research idea on what you would be interested in working on in the Master's thesis (two pages in English)
• Certified copies of academic certificates:

1. Certified copy of school leaving certificate
2. All university end-of-year exam certificates (with individual grades)
3. University diploma or degree certificate indicating the final grade(s)

• Proof of English proficiency (see language requirements)

Foreign applicants not applying for a scholarship:
The application deadline for self-paying candidates is 31 March 2017 for the winter semester 2017 at uni-assist (http://www.uni-assist.de/).

German applicants:
At the Student Services Office of TH Köln: 31 May

Application for a DAAD scholarship:
Additionally, with two letters of recommendation from your university at ITT - TH Köln (University of Applied Sciences): 30 September (one year before the intended start of the programme)

For more information, contact:
TH Köln
Institute for Technology and Resources Management in the Tropics and Subtropics (ITT)
Frau Ricarda Bruder Pedroso
Betzdorfer Straße 2
50679 Köln
Germany

Enrolment fees

The fee of about 250 EUR per semester includes a semester ticket covering public transport in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Costs of living

The costs of living for your stay largely depend on your personal needs. When planning your stay, you should calculate monthly costs of approximately 700-800 EUR.

Job opportunities

Taking on a part-time job while studying has lots of benefits. Students can make some extra money, gain valuable professional experience, and might take a first step up on the career ladder.
Whether and how long you are allowed to work during semester breaks is determined by your immigration office. The provisions applying to your specific case will be stated in your residence permit. To find out about these provisions, we recommend you make an inquiry at the immigration office during your first visit. International students from countries that are not member states of the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland are normally permitted to work 120 full or 240 half days per year if they are in possession of a valid residence permit for Germany.
TH Köln can assist you in finding a job that suits your profile and interests. Our Career Service and our Nebenjobservice (Part-Time Job Service) offer comprehensive counselling and specific information events on all aspects related to part-time jobs.
Please be aware that the level of your German language skills will strongly affect your chances of finding a part-time job, as German is the language of communication in Germany.

Funding opportunities within the university

TH Köln as well as other institutions offer different scholarships for international students such as the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship. Recipients receive approx. 300 EUR per month.
https://www.th-koeln.de/en/international_office/deutschland-stipendium-scholarship---information-for-students_9164.php

Arrival support

ITT provides assistance for international students to get started in Cologne. Scholarship holders are usually picked up at the airport and taken to their new accommodation. ITT organises German language classes, with limited places for international students. During the first semester, additional tutorials are offered.

Services and support for international students

TH Köln - University of Applied Sciences - follows the National Code of Conduct on Foreign Students at German Universities established by the German Rectors' Conference (HRK).
The International Office provides advice and support for international students on all aspects related to studying at TH Köln. The International Office accompanies your stay at our university with a variety of programmes and events and invites you to become a part of our international community (e.g., mentoring programmes for new first semester students, TH Köln Buddy programme KARIBU, or Language Partnership programme).
Every semester, the International Office organises a semester programme including exciting cultural events to connect German and international students as well as activities to jointly discover different aspects of Cologne (e.g., a guided tour of Cologne, trips to museums and theatres, or a semester trip to the German capital Berlin).

Accommodation

Boasting a population of slightly more than one million, Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest metropolis - a highly attractive one on top of that. The increasing influx of people can make the search for adequate accommodation quite difficult. Dozens of apartment hunters often compete for a single apartment. That is why the International Office strongly recommends that you start looking for a place to live as soon as possible.
The fierce competition on the housing market has resulted in above-market rents - particularly in proximity of the city centre. We therefore encourage you to be flexible: try to look for apartments outside the centre, as you will encounter less competition and lower rents.
Student dormitories
Cologne's most convenient and economical housing option is often a student dormitory. Kölner Studierendenwerk operates 86 student dorms offering roughly 4,700 rooms. Please be aware that TH Köln does not allocate the rooms in these dorms. In order to be allocated a room, please apply online on the website of Kölner Studentenwerk by clicking on "online-application". See: http://www.kstw.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=315&Itemid=11&lang=en.
The seemingly large number of dorm rooms is misleading; as the dormitories are open to the roughly 80,000 students enrolled at all Cologne universities, they are in extremely high demand. Make sure to apply for a dorm room at Kölner Studierendenwerk as early as possible.