Water Resources Engineering and Management (WAREM) University of Stuttgart

The continuously increasing water needs of a growing world population are having a progressively adverse impact upon the Earth and its natural water resources. Sustainable water resources development within environmental and social limitations requires both qualified engineers and scientists as well as global scientific and professional cooperation. WAREM's internationally recognised Master of Science programme was specifically developed to satisfy these demands, taking into account international concerns regarding climatic, demographic and politically influential constraints and changes.

The courses offered allow students to acquire interdisciplinary knowledge in the following main topics:

• Groundwater Resources Management and Geohydrology
• Hydraulic Engineering and River Basin Management
• Sanitary Engineering and Water Quality Management
• Stochastic Simulation and Safety Research for Hydrosystems

Furthermore, the programme profits from the university's excellent research facilities in the water sector, such as the Research Facility for Subsurface Remediation (VEGAS) – the only one of its kind in Germany – or the Hydraulic Laboratory (VA) with a floor of 1,600 m² that allows the construction of physical model experiments on topics related to hydraulic engineering and water resources management. The Teaching and Research Sewage Treatment Plant (LFKW) in Büsnau is affiliated with the Institute for Sanitary Engineering, Water Quality and Solid Waste Management (ISWA).

The programme offers engaging excursions to hydropower plants, pumping stations, river management sites and other relevant water resources sites in Germany and the neighbouring countries. These excursions also include opportunities to hike and sightsee in nearby cultural centres.

WAREM maintains close cooperation with a number of national and international companies and research institutes worldwide.

Water Resources Engineering and Management (WAREM) is a two-year Master of Science programme beginning in the winter semester of each year. The programme consists of three in-class semesters and a semester designated for research and thesis work.

The curriculum contains 120 ECTS, therefore 30 ECTS per semester. Students have to complete mandatory modules, mandatory key qualification subjects or German language courses up to level A 2.1 CEFR , selectable mandatory modules, and six elective modules. Students must obtain at least 72 ECTS before starting the Master's thesis (30 ECTS). Please see our Curriculum for more information: https://www.warem.uni-stuttgart.de/program/WAREM-Studienverlauf2025oct.pdf

The modules consist of lectures, tutorials and seminars, combined with practical work and excursions. Thus, students get a thorough overview and can easily find their field of interest and choose a specialisation.

• University Chalmers, Göteborg, Sweden

A Master’s double degree programme can be offered for those who are interested.

No compulsory internship is integrated into the study programme. However, students can arrange an internship independently if they are interested in doing so. This activity is supported by the programme coordinators.

The admission requirements are:

• A qualifying Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Natural Sciences
• A Bachelor's degree, preferably in a water-related subject, or
• A degree of at least 180 ECTS points (from a university, a university of applied sciences, or a university of cooperative education with degrees equivalent to those of a university) with completed courses in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering or equivalent

Applicants from China, Mongolia, India and Vietnam must submit a certificate issued by the "Akademische Prüfstelle (APS)", which has been established at the German Embassy in cooperation with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

The following documents have to be uploaded:

• Officially authenticated copy of school leaving certificate (high school certificate or equivalent)
• Officially authenticated copy of the university transcript
• Officially authenticated copy of university diploma
• Grading system of the university
• English proficiency examination
• Personal statement
• APS (China, Mongolia, Vietnam, India)
• Optional: Reference letter(s)

The WAREM admission committee reviews each applicant's admission.

Decisions will ultimately be based on the students' grade point average (CGPA), their educational and professional background in water-related subjects, and the required English language skills. The application process is managed online.

Approx. 200 EUR per semester

Living expenses amount to about 1,050 EUR per month. Non-EU students will have to demonstrate that they have sufficient finances to cover living expenses for 12 months. EU citizens may apply for state-guaranteed loans during the time of enrolment. 

For more information, see the links on our website.

Please be aware that it may be very challenging to finance your whole studies by working at the same time. Non-EU citizens are allowed by law to work for a maximum of 120 days per year. Only students who are employed by the university in one of the institutes or departments ("Studentische/Wissenschaftliche Hilfskräfte") are exempted from this regulation, but other restrictions may apply.

For more detailed information, please consult the following:
International Students: Financing Your Studies and Working During Your Studies

Both the campus in Stuttgart-Vaihingen and the campus in the centre of Stuttgart have on-site halls of residence. Dorm rooms (ranging from 320 EUR to 650 EUR per month) are furnished. Some are equipped with a sink, and all have access to a kitchen and sanitary facilities, telephone and Internet. From the campus in Stuttgart-Vaihingen, the city of Stuttgart can be reached by suburban railway within ten minutes.

Intelligent systems to benefit society

The University of Stuttgart is one of the leading technically oriented universities in Germany with global significance. It sees itself as a centre of university-based, non-university, and industrial research. Furthermore, it takes on a role as a guarantor of research-based teaching, focused on quality and holism. The university promotes the transfer of knowledge and technologies to society in all its areas of expertise and competence. The "Stuttgarter Weg" (Stuttgart Way) means an interdisciplinary integration of engineering, natural sciences, humanities, management, economics and social sciences based on the fundamentals of cutting-edge research at a disciplinary level. Our vision is “intelligent systems to benefit society”.

Excellent research and teaching

The University of Stuttgart implements innovative concepts in research and teaching in order to provide knowledge and strategies for a meaningful and sustainable development. It focuses on basic research that is both knowledge-oriented and application-related. To facilitate this research, the university is actively part of regional, national and international research networks.

The university is committed to the principle of unity between research and teaching. Students acquire knowledge, expertise and the power of judgement, in accordance with the guidelines of scientific research and awareness. The university fosters fascination for the sciences, supporting its students and junior researchers at all stages of their careers. It promotes independent thinking and provides an environment for responsible action. In doing so, it educates individuals into becoming exceptional experts who think in an integrative and global manner and act responsibly in the sciences, economics and society.

A powerful region

Founded in 1829, at the beginning of the Industrial Age, the University of Stuttgart continues to prepare the way for innovation within an economically and scientifically powerful region and contributes to the economic success and prosperity of our society. This process combines the requirements of a social and cultural change, which allows for an early and extensive input of social interests in research and design as well as teaching and further education.

Open-mindedness

The University of Stuttgart stands for open-mindedness, individuality and community spirit. It brings together students who are eager to learn, highly motivated employees, outstanding teachers, and excellent researchers, as well as visionary thinkers and inventors. By means of its culture of integration, the university creates and conveys knowledge for shaping the future of our society.

The University of Stuttgart is nestled in one of Europe’s most vibrant industrial regions. This fosters many forms of interdisciplinary collaboration — for instance, in numerous Collaborative Research Centres (also known as CRC or sometimes CRC/TRR) and in application-oriented research assignments. The University of Stuttgart sets up a close relationship and a successful transfer of knowledge and technology between its research institutions and business enterprises in the region and beyond. This very practical orientation benefits research and teaching. At the same time, economic players profit from rapid access to new scientific knowledge and contact to experts in their specialised fields. There are numerous possibilities of collaboration for businesses. Furthermore, the university also maintains a close relationship with non-university research institutions such as the Max Planck Society, the Fraunhofer Society, the German Aerospace Centre, and the German Literature Archive Marbach. Thus, the optimal prerequisites for cutting-edge research at the highest level are all to be found in Stuttgart.