Sustainable Water Management and Engineering (MEng) Hof University of Applied Sciences

Climate change and global population growth are placing increasing pressure on water resources worldwide, making sustainable and resilient water management more important — and more complex — than ever. Today’s engineers must combine technical expertise with management skills to tackle these global challenges.

The Master’s programme in Sustainable Water Management and Engineering (MEng) prepares graduates to meet these demands. It equips students with cutting-edge engineering knowledge incl. the effective use of GenAI, management competencies, and a strong focus on sustainability and digitalisation. Based on the latest research, the programme fosters systems thinking, practical problem-solving skills, and effective communication.

Teaching concept

The programme follows a hands-on, interdisciplinary approach, combining current topics such as sustainability, water risk and resource management with core engineering disciplines like water treatment and sewage systems. The three dimensions of sustainability — economic, social and environmental — are embedded throughout, alongside digitalisation and the practical use of AI in engineering.

Specifically to prepare students for entering the German job market, this programme examines the role and application of GenAI in German water utilities and develops potential solutions. This enables graduates of this Master’s programme to distinguish themselves from job applicants who are increasingly being displaced by AI systems.

Your benefits

After graduation, you will be able to do the following:

• identify and analyse current and future challenges in water management
• analyse complex situations and develop adequate solutions by using GenAI in an effective way
• implement and evaluate them in interdisciplinary teams.

In addition, you benefit from the following:

• a unique Master's degree at the interface of technology and management
• a perfect interdisciplinary toolbox of knowledge and skills of engineering and business know-how
• development of your intercultural competence
• excellent career perspectives.

Career perspectives

After graduation, you will have excellent career opportunities for leading positions in the water sector, both in Germany and abroad, e.g.

• management tasks in research and construction in the field of water management
• leading positions in industry, public authorities, and medium-sized companies
• development or research engineer for nature conservation and environmental protection
• planning and consulting work in specialised engineering offices
• activity as an expert and appraiser.

The first and second semester of this Master's programme contain 10 mandatory modules plus one elective (in total 60 ECTS):

Mandatory modules

• Sustainability Management
• Risk Management in the Water Sector
• Water and Society
• International Water Resources Management
• Advanced Water Treatment
• Waste Water Discharge and Sewer Network with Structures
• Water Quality and Water Cycle
• Smart Water
• R&D or Industrial Project
• New Technologies in the Water Sector

Electives*

• Advanced Project Case Studies (use of GenAI)
• Agile, Traditional and Hybrid Methods in International Project Management
• Intercultural Communication
• International Human Resource Management
• Energy Efficiency in Water Management Systems
• German language A2 and German language B1

*  Examples for elective modules; this list is subject to change.

Master's thesis and internship

The third semester is dedicated to an internship in a company or at the university's Institute for Water and Energy Management and a practical Master's thesis (30 ECTS). The thesis should be written during the internship and should cover a current topic of the company. The topic selection should be discussed and decided in advance with the supervising professor.

Our MEng students spend the third semester doing a practical internship in industry (e.g. manufacturer of equipment for waste water treatment plants) or in engineering offices (e.g. planning of remote controlled sewers or urban rainwater management). The Master's thesis is also written during the internship. Thus, you can immediately apply your knowledge and gain profound professional experience at the same time.

For admission in this Master's programme, you need to fulfil the following admission criteria:

• First degree from a recognised university with at least 210 credits according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) or an equivalent degree in engineering or natural sciences providing sufficient knowledge in environmental engineering, water technology and chemistry
• Sufficient knowledge in environmental engineering, water technology and chemistry means at least five credits (or their equivalent) were achieved in each of these areas

Applicants with less than 210 credits have to gain the missing credits. For this, there are three options:

• You have gained relevant practical experience after your Bachelor's degree (minimum six months). This can be recognised as the missing 30 credits.
• You can do an internship (at least six months) during the studies at Hof. In this case, please calculate a fourth (extra) semester. 
• For applicants who already did an internship during their Bachelor's course, we offer appropriate modules at Hof University that you can attend. In this case, please calculate a fourth (extra) semester.

Administrative fee of approx. 150 EUR per semester

The cost of living in the city of Hof is moderate compared to both other European countries and bigger cities in Germany. On average, living expenses for a student range between 800 and 1,000 EUR per month in total.

The following is an approximate cost calculation of expenditures per month:

• accommodation: 350 to 550 EUR
• mandatory health insurance: about 120 EUR
• food and personal expenditures: at least 350 EUR

The Career Service team at Hof University offers you a wide range of career preparation and orientation services, including workshops, company excursions, and job fairs. We will prepare you for the German labour market by providing you with specific information, counselling, and qualifications. Thus, you will be able to start your individual career as an intern and as a graduate.

The Housing Office supports international students in finding appropriate accommodation.

Rent for a single student room is approx. 350 to 550 EUR. Rent for a private one-room apartment for one tenant or for a couple is more than 550 EUR. We also have a limited number of double rooms for friends that cost about 250 to 320 EUR per person. Beside the rent, there are additional costs for water, energy, broadcast fee, and Internet.

For a full overview of the practical issues related to living in Hof and our support services for international students, please have a look at the website of our Welcome Service and Housing Office.

Studying at Hof University – your benefits at a glance

• Hands-on education that prepares you for a successful career
• Friendly, international study community
• Personal support from Welcome Service, International Office, and Career Service
• Help finding accommodation and a guided Orientation Week
• Career-building activities like intercultural training, field trips, and company visits

About Hof University

Founded in 1994, Hof University offers a modern campus with state-of-the-art facilities and a hands-on learning environment. As a practice-oriented university of applied sciences with integrated internships in all programmes, the employability of our graduates is the main focus of our teaching.

Our commitment to students is reflected in StudyCheck rankings: Hof University was Germany’s most popular university in 2023 and 2024 and continues to receive excellent teaching ratings. In 2026, StudyCheck awarded the “Top Hochschule” distinction, recognising Hof University as one of the most popular institutions in Germany with fewer than 5,000 students.

We offer over 50 Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in engineering, advanced computing and AI, business, and design. The Graduate School provides fully English-taught postgraduate programmes for professionals with at least one year of work experience.

Practice-oriented learning

All professors have a strong academic background as well as practical experience in industry. Teaching is application-focused, including real-world projects, company collaborations, and site visits. This approach ensures students gain practical skills and confidence to succeed in national and international careers.

Personal support & international environment

Hof University is known for its friendly study atmosphere. An excellent student-to-lecturer ratio enables close interaction between students and professors and an active exchange of ideas. Students benefit from personal support services such as orientation programmes, integration events, and housing assistance.

With over 130 partner universities worldwide and more than 30% international students on campus, Hof University offers a truly multicultural and welcoming environment where you can grow both academically and personally.

Applied research & entrepreneurship

Six research institutes focus on areas such as information systems, sustainable water and energy systems, materials science, and organisational research, always connecting research to practical and sustainable solutions.

Students with entrepreneurial ideas receive guidance and support at Einstein1, the on-campus incubator that helps turn innovative ideas into real-world ventures.

Our main campus is located in the city of Hof, a safe and cosy town located at the top of Bavaria and in the heart of Europe. Hof has a population of about 45,000 inhabitants and offers all the amenities of a university town: a cinema, theatre, an annual film festival and a variety of cafés, bars and clubs.

Our region has the second-highest density of industry across Europe, with many companies specialising in machinery, automotive components, ceramics, and textiles. Many of these are small and medium-sized “hidden champions” in their field, offering excellent opportunities for internships and entry-level jobs.

The city of Hof is surrounded by beautiful nature. It is located between the low mountain regions of the Fichtelgebirge and the Franconian Forest on the banks of the Saale River. You will find excellent possibilities for all outdoor sporting activities such as cycling, hiking, climbing, and skiing.

Big cities like Berlin, Prague, and Munich are also within easy reach by train or bus. This means you can study in a practice-oriented environment while also enjoying life outside the classroom.