Career prospects
On this page you will find information about possible career prospects for both academic and non-academic careers. The Water Science and Management Master’s programme trains you to function as a professional in the field of water management and related sustainable development.
Academic careers
Graduates may follow up their Master’s degree by pursuing a PhD in the Netherlands or abroad and ultimately pursuing a career in research. The programme is closely related to several research groups on water-related issues in the Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development and the Department of Physical Geography. This makes it possible for students to be ahead of the latest scientific developments in the field. Thanks to close connections with key players in the field, research projects on various topics are funded by external parties.
Non-academic careers
Water Science and Management graduates have a number of technical skills, which enable them to acquire junior positions at the start of their career. Based on their broad knowledge of contemporary water management, they are expected to move on relatively quickly to more senior strategic planning, policy, and management positions, dealing with issues involving specialists from different backgrounds and/or societal stakeholders. Some graduates may also develop themselves further into more specialised technical roles while on the job. The professional field consists of a wide variety of organisations such as:
- Consultancy firms
- Water boards
- Governmental organisations
- Utility companies
- Water research institutes
- NGOs
- International development organisations
Carreer impressions
To get an idea of what a career after studying Water Science Management can look like, you can watch the videos below.
Career development
Academic and professional knowledge and skills
Your skills will be complementary to more traditionally educated water specialists with a natural sciences focus, thus allowing you to fill the demand in the professional field for more all-round water managers. As a Water Science and Management graduate you will have gained insight into the full breadth of contemporary water management, and notably in the relations between different scientific and professional perspectives. Moreover you will have the ability to work with specialists from different backgrounds on complex, integrated water management projects and planning.
Water Science and Management graduates are characterised by their:
- understanding of natural and technical processes related to water quantity and water quality;
- knowledge of relevant aspects of integrated water resources management;
- insight into the approaches of more specialised technical water managers;
- technical competences in a limited number of quantitative water management
- skills (e.g. modelling);
- insight into the approaches of social scientists (e.g. policy makers, legal advisors);
- knowledge of relevant legislation, policy frameworks, and institutions for water policy and management in the Netherlands, in Europe, and globally;
- insight into contemporary trends in water management and the ability to integrate this knowledge in policy documents for water management, physical planning, and sustainable development; and
- ability to work with specialists from different backgrounds on complex, integrated water management projects and planning.
Career services
UU Career Services
UU Career Services offers training related to career orientation and job application skills; examples include writing an application letter and CV and conducting a job interview. You can find more information about career support on UU Career Services for Dutch students or UU Career Services for international students.
UU Careers Day
Once a year Utrecht University organises a Careers Day. The Careers Day offers the opportunity to sign up for workshops and trainings, and to meet recruiters at the careers fair. It’s also possible to join a job application training or have your resume checked.