Program Overview

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Water Management for Development (Distance Learning, Part-time) MSc, PGDip, PGCert

Overview

The Water Management for Development (Distance Learning, Part-time) MSc, PGDip, PGCert is a unique programme that combines engineering and technical skills with a focus on the environment, institutions, and societies. This programme is designed to equip students with the skills to tackle the critical global challenge of ensuring everyone has access to clean water and sanitation.

Qualification(s) available

• MSc
• PGDip
• PGCert

Fees

• Dependent on start date.
• See below for specific fee information.

Scholarships available

Scholarships are available to help with funding your study.

Entry requirements

• A 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) in any discipline.
• Equivalent professional qualification may be accepted in lieu of degree.

Full-time

• Not available

Part-time

• 3-5 years

Location

• Online

Start date

• October 2025 or October 2026

Department

• Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering

Programme details

The programme is designed to equip students with the skills to tackle the critical global challenge of ensuring everyone has access to clean water and sanitation. Students will learn about cutting-edge technologies and practical solutions for delivering clean water and sanitation services in developing countries. The programme will also cover the design and delivery of fair policies, gain a global perspective, and flexible learning.

What you'll study

The following modules are part of the programme:

• Water and the Natural Environment (DL) (15 credits)
• Management of Rural Water Services (DL) (15 credits)
• Management and Operation of Water Utilities (DL) (15 credits)
• Research Methods (DL) (15 credits)
• Urban and Rural Sanitation Management (DL) (15 credits)
• Management of Water and Environmental Sanitation Infrastructure (DL) (15 credits)
• Global Challenges and Opportunities in WASH (15 credits)
• Research Dissertation (DL) (60 credits)

Optional modules

• Disaster Risk Management (DL) (15 credits)
• Humanitarian Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion (DL) (15 credits)

How you'll be assessed

As you study, you will be required to undertake assignments. There are normally two or three assessments to undertake for each module. The weighting of marks differs for each assessment.

How you'll study

• Independent study
• Practical sessions
• Online tutorials
• Virtual learning
• Access to online material

Entry requirements for international students

The entry requirements for international students vary by country. Please see the list below for the equivalent qualifications:

• Afghanistan: Masters, 95%
• Albania: Diplomë e Nivelit të Pare (First Level (University) Diploma (from 2010)), 9.5
• Algeria: Licence (4 year) / Diplome d'Inginieur d'Etat / Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures, 16
• Argentina: Licenciatura/ Licenciado (4 year), 8.5
• Armenia: Bakalavri Kochum required but typically a Magistrosi Kochum, 90% or 3.9
• Australia: Honours degree (AQF level 8), First Class, 80%
• Austria: Degree / Diplomstudium / Fachhochschuldiplom (Diplom (FH)), A (or 1.5) mit Auszeichnungbestanden
• Azerbaijan: Bakalavr Diplomu/ Diplomu (Specialist Diploma), 4.5 or 90%
• Bahamas: Degree from University of the West Indies only, 1st (GPA 3.6)
• Bahrain: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Bangladesh: 4 Year Bachelor of Science in Engineering (IEB and BAETE accredited courses up to 2024), 1st (70%) / 3.5
• Barbados: University of the West Indies, Honours degree, 1st (GPA 3.6)
• Belarus: Specialist Diploma (5Yr), 9
• Belgium: Bachelor degree/Licenciaat/Licencie, 80% or 17
• Belize: Degree from University of the West Indies only, 1st (GPA 3.6)
• Benin: Maitrise, 18
• Bermuda: Degree from University of the West Indies only, 1st (GPA 3.6)
• Bolivia: Licenciado / Título de [subject area], 85/78
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: Diplom Visokog Obrazovanja / Diplomirani, 10
• Botswana: Master's degree, A or 80%
• Brazil: Brazil - 4 yr Bacharel or Licenciado/Licenciatura or Título Profissional, 8.5
• Brunei: Brunei, First
• Bulgaria: 5 yr Diploma za Zavarsheno Visshe Obrazovanie (Diploma of Completed Higher Education), 6
• Burundi: Masters or Diplôme d'Études Approfondies or Diplôme Ingénieur (professional title), 18
• Cambodia: Masters, 80% or B+ or 3.5
• Cameroon: Bachelor degree or Diplome d'Etudes Superiures de Commerce or Diplome d'Ingenieur or Diplôme d'Ingénieur de Conception or a Maitrise, 4 year Licence or Master 1 (M1), 1st / 3.6 or 15/Tres Bien
• Canada: GPA 4.0/Percentage, 3.7/85%
• Chile: Grado de Licenciado / Título de [subject area], 6
• China: Students are required to have a bachelor degree (4 years) for entry to a postgraduate programme. The University uses the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities to identify the required final mark.
• Colombia: Licenciado / Título de [subject area], 4.5
• Costa Rica: Licenciado, 9
• Croatia: Baccalaureus / Prvostupnik, 4.5
• Cuba: 4-year Titulo de Licenciado / Licenciatura, 5
• Cyprus: Cyprus, 8.5
• Czech Republic: Bakalár (after 2001) 6 yr integrated Magistr, 1
• Denmark: 5 year Candidatus/Candidata Magisterii or Bachelor degree (7 point scale), 12
• Dominican Republic: 4 year Licenciado or Título de [subject area], 3.8
• Ecuador: Título de Licenciado / Título de [subject area], 8.5 / 85%
• Egypt: Egypt, 3.5
• El Salvador: 5 year Licenciado, Título de Ingeniero/Arquitecto, 8.5, 85%
• Estonia: Bakalaureusekraad or Magister or Magistrikraad, 5 or 91% or A
• Ethiopia: Masters (up to 2025), A / GPA 4.0
• Finland: Kandidaattii/Kandidat or the Maisteri/Magister, 3 (out of 3) or 4.5 (out of 5)
• France: Licence (3 years)/ Maitrise/ Diplôme d'Ingénieur, 14
• Georgia: 4-year degree (% = new system), 5 (95%)
• Germany: German Bachelor/ Diplom, Magister Artium / Zeugnis über den Zweiten Abschnitt der Ärztlichen Prüfung, 1.5
• Ghana: Ghana, First
• Greece: Universities, 8.5
• Grenada: Degree from University of West Indies - classification, 1st, 70% (GPA 3.6)
• Guatemala: Liceniado / Titulo de (subject area) - 4 years, 90% (public university) / 95% (private university)
• Guyana: Master's, GPA 4
• Honduras: Título de Licenciado / Grado Académico de Licenciatura (4 year degree) - GPA out of 5, GPA 5 or 90%
• Hong Kong: 1st or 3.5/4, 2:1or 3/4, 2:2 or 2.5/4
• Hungary: Alapfokozt or Egyetemi Oklevel / Bachelor, 4.5
• Iceland: Baccalaurreatus degree or Kandidatsprof/Candidatus Mag, 8.5
• India: Institutions listed on the National Institutional Ranking Framework, 65% (First)
• Indonesia: Sarjana I (S1) from accredited Universities, 3.3
• Iran: Iran, 17
• Iraq: Iraq, 80%
• Ireland: Republic of Ireland, First (70%)
• Israel: 3 yr Bachelor Degree, 90%
• Italy: Diploma di Laurea, 109/110
• Ivory Coast: Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures, 16
• Jamaica: For degrees studied at The University of West Indies or degrees accredited by UCJ and CCCJ, 1st (GPA 3.6)
• Japan: Gakushi – GPA 4.0 scale, 85% or A or 3.5
• Jordan: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Kazakhstan: GPA 5.0/percentage scale, 4.5 or 90%
• Kenya: Kenya, First / 70% / A
• Kosovo: Kosovo, 10
• Kuwait: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.6
• Latvia: Latvia, 9
• Lebanon: American, 90% (3.5)
• Liberia: Master's, 4.0 or 90%
• Libya: BSc Engineering, Architecture, Medicine, 85 (3.6)
• Lithuania: Lithuania, 9
• Luxembourg: Luxembourg, 18 (excellent)
• Macau: Macau, 1st or GPA 3.7
• Macedonia: Magistar Дипломиран / Баццалауреус / Баццалауреа (Bachelor degree), 10
• Malawi: Master's only, MSc 75%
• Malaysia: Classification, First Class
• Malta: Malta, 1st (80%)
• Mauritius: Mauritius, 1st or 70%
• Mexico: Licenciatura / Licenciado/ Título de [subject area], 8.5
• Moldova: Diploma de Licenţă (Diploma of Licentiate), 9
• Mongolia: Диплом Специалиста (Specialist Diploma), 90% or 3.5
• Montenegro: Diploma of Completed Undergraduate Studies or Diploma of Professional Undergraduate Studies, 10 (or 5.0)
• Morocco: Diplôme d'Ingénieur d'État, Diplôme d'Écoles Nationales de Commerce et de Gestion, Licence / Licence d'Études Fondamentales / Licence Professionnelle, 16
• Mozambique: Mestrado/ Grau de Mastre, 16
• Myanmar (Burma): 2 year Master's degree, 5 or 85%
• Namibia: 4-year Bachelor Honours (post 2008) or Masters, 80% or A
• Nepal: 4 -year professional degree or Masters (after 3-year Bachelor degree), 80% or 3.7 GPA
• Netherlands: Netherlands, 8
• New Zealand: 4 Year Honours degree (480 credits) - Level 8, First (7.0)
• Nicaragua: Licenciado (4 year), 90%
• Nigeria: 7 point Scale, 6
• Norway: Norway, A / 1.8
• Oman: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Pakistan: 4 Year degree only (the higher of the 2 options), A- or GPA 3.7
• Palestine: Bachelor (4-years), (85%) 3.5
• Panama: 4 Year Licenciado / Título de [subject area], 91 (A)
• Papua New Guinea: Bachelor (Honours) Degree, 1st
• Paraguay: 4 Year Título de Licenciado / Título de [subject area], 4.5 (85%)
• Peru: 4 Year Título de Licenciado / Título de [subject area], 14
• Philippines: Degree from prestigious state universities or Centres of Excellence (COE), Summa Cum Laude 4.0 / 96% / 1.0
• Poland: Bachelor Degree (post 2003) Magister (pre- 2003), 5
• Portugal: Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializados (DESE) or Licenciado, 18
• Qatar: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Romania: Diplom de Licenta/ Diploma de Inginer, 9
• Russia: Bakalavr/Specialist Diploma/Magistr, 4.5
• Rwanda: 4 -year bachelor (Hons) degree (480 credits), 1st, 16/20 (80%)
• Saudi Arabia: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Senegal: Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees, 16/20 or Tres Bien
• Serbia: Diplomirani/ Bachelor's degree, 9
• Sierra Leone: Honours degree or masters, 1st (70%)
• Singapore: Bachelor (Hons), First
• Slovakia: Bakalár (from 2005) Magister / Inzinier, 1.5 or B
• Slovenia: University Diplom, 9
• South Africa: Bachelor (Honours) or B Tech after 4 yrs study, 1st or 75%
• South Korea: GPA out of 4.5, 3.8 / B+
• Spain: Licenciado / Título de Ingeniero / Título de Arquitecto, 8.5
• Sri Lanka: 4 year Professional degree or Bachelor Special or Honours degree, 90%, GPA 3.70
• Sudan: 4 year degree, 1st, 70%, B+
• Sweden: Kandidatexamen or Magisterexamen, Overall grade of VG with a minimum of 120 credits at VG
• Switzerland: Bachelor Degree, Diplom or Lizentiat (10/6/5), 10 / 5.5 / 1
• Syria: State universities 4 years of study, 80%
• Taiwan: Category 1 (4 year degree), 80%
• Tajikistan: Диплом специалиста - Specialist Diploma, 5
• Tanzania: Tanzania, 1st
• Thailand: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Trinidad and Tobago: For degrees studied at The University of West Indies or degrees accredited by ACTT, 1st or GPA 3.6
• Tunisia: Licence, Maîtrise, Diplôme National d'Ingénieu, 16 (tres bien)
• Turkey: Lisans Diplomasi or a Műhendis Diplomasi, 3.5
• Turkmenistan: 4 Yr Bakalavr, Specialist Diploma or Magistr, 5
• Uganda: Uganda, 1st or 4.4
• Ukraine: Dyplom Magistra or a Bachelors degree (11 / 5), 4.5
• United Arab Emirates: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• United States of America: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Uruguay: Licenciado (4 year), 9
• Uzbekistan: Majistr Diplomi / Diplomi (Specialist Diploma), 90% or GPA 4.5
• Venezuela: Licenciado/Professional title. (4 year), 18/20 or 8/9
• Vietnam: 10-point scale, 8.0
• Zambia: Master's, A or 4.0 or 80%
• Zimbabwe: 3/4 year degree, 1st or 75%

English language requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

Fees and funding

• Fees for the academic year:
  • UK fee: £12,500 Full-time degree per annum
  • International fee: £25,500 Full-time degree per annum
• Fees for the academic year:
  • UK fee: £12,900 Full-time degree per annum
  • International fee: £26,300 Full-time degree per annum
• Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.

Scholarships and bursaries

There are scholarships and bursaries available to help with funding your study.

• 10% off tuition fees: Loughborough University Alumni Bursary
• Up to 20% off tuition fees: Excellence Scholarship

Your development

Our Water Management for Development (Distance Learning) MSc will develop your skills in data collection, analysis, planning and problem-solving. You will develop confidence and learn key areas, including:

• Develop multidisciplinary knowledge and skills to coordinate, plan, manage and monitor water and environmental sanitation services, with a focus on low and middle-income countries.
• Be equipped with knowledge of the range of appropriate water and environmental sanitation technologies.
• Be encouraged to take a critical approach to the global principles and local practice of sustainable water and environmental management for the public good.
• Be equipped with appropriate expertise and skills for relevant work in the management of water and environmental sanitation for low- and middle-income countries.
• Be encouraged to undertake critical analysis through an in-depth study of a specialist topic.

Your future career

Explore the breadth of career opportunities available with a Water Management for Development Master’s degree. Loughborough’s Water Management programme is designed to equip you with the specialised knowledge and skills needed to excel in the field. The programme focuses on understanding the important aspects of sustainable public health infrastructure and services. Enjoy a multitude of key benefits, including:

• High earning potential: Engineers enjoy top starting salaries, and Chartered Engineers (CEng) earn even more.
• Excellent job prospects: Strong industry connections lead to great employment rates. Previous students embarked on careers with NGOs, Oxfam, WaterAid, UNICEF and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and in government including high ministerial office.
• Career including internship support: The university’s award-winning Careers Network offers workshops, advice, and talks to help you succeed.
• Pursue extensive research opportunities: Continue your studies by pursuing PhD research in water and sanitation.
• WEDC graduates join a respected global community which includes over 1,000 global alumni.

Related master's degrees

• Civil Engineering MSc
• Water Engineering for Development (Distance Learning, Part-time) MSc, PGDip, PGCert
• Sustainable Water and Climate Resilience MSc
• Informatics and Disaster Risk Management MSc

Professional recognition

Our programme is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) and the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), a prestigious body representing leading engineering institutions on behalf of the UK Engineering Council. This accreditation signifies that our programme meets the high standards required for becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng). This means you'll be equipped with the skills and knowledge to pursue a career as a Chartered Engineer in the water and environmental management field.