FAQ
The frequently asked questions and answers listed are divided into questions about the MSc programmes, MSc in Sanitation, MSc scholarships, the PhD programme, short courses and online courses.
MSc Programmes
Has anything changed in light of the Coronavirus situation?
For more information visit Coronavirus - Information for prospective students
What are the admission requirements?
The admission requirements are:
- A Bachelor degree in a field related to the programme you would like to join.
- Preferably, applicants should have about two to three years of practical or research experience since graduation. All applications are, however, considered on their individual merits.
- The English language requirements for all of IHE Delft's educational programmes.
What are the English language requirements?
The English language requirements can be found here
When is the yearly application deadline?
The application deadline for the Delft-based MSc programmes starting on the third Thursday of October is 1 August of the same year. The application deadline for the other programmes may vary, please see the respective programme or specialization pages. Please keep in mind that in case you wish to apply for financial assistance, the application deadline for a fellowship is usually much earlier.
What happens after I have applied for an MSc Programme?
On arrival of the application you will receive a confirmation of receipt by email. The application process can take up to four weeks. You will be informed about the outcome by email.
What are the requirements for the recommendation letters?
Recommendation letters must be printed on official letterhead paper and need to be signed and dated.
We do not accept recommendation letters which are older than 1 year nor which have copied and pasted signatures and/or letterheads.
If you are employed, one of the recommendation letters should be from your current employer and not older than 3 months.
What are the requirements for the motivation letter?
In maximum 500 words (1 page) clearly explain why you are applying for admission to the choosen programme. We are not looking for an overview of your academic background and/or work experience! Make sure that your motivation is unique and impresses the reader.
When is the deadline for confirmation of financial support?
The deadline for confirmation of financial support for the Delft-based MSc programmes starting on the third Thursday of October, is 15 August of the same year.
What if I am not able to find funding for the academic year I am admitted to?
If you have not secured funding for the academic year that you are admitted to you cannot join IHE Delft for that year. If you are interested in applying for the next academic year, you will have to apply again for admission to the Master Programme with your user account (https://www.un-ihe.org/user/login). Our Student Information System does not allow transferring admissions from one year to the next.
Do documents that I submit during my application need to be translated to English?
If the documents are in any language other than English, we -in addition- need an official English translation by a sworn translator.
Can I apply for multiple programmes at the same time?
Multiple MSc applications (for the same academic year) are not allowed, unless there is a period of at least 3 months between the starting dates of the programmes of interest. If a student applies for an Erasmus Mundus programme for which Erasmus Mundus scholarships are available, he/she can also apply for another programme. If the other programme is also an Erasmus Mundus programme, the applicant can submit up to 3 applications.
What are the costs for an MSc Programme at IHE Delft?
More information on programme fees can be found here.
How do I pay the invoice I have received?
You can pay your invoice by transferring the mentioned amount directly to our bank account.
Name of the bank:ING Bank N.V.
Address of Bank:Phoenixstraat 28, 2611 AL, Delft, The Netherlands
Account name:Stichting IHE Delft
Bank account number:65.57.014
SWIFT-code beneficiary bank:INGBNL2A
IBAN:NL33INGB0006557014
Make sure you indicate the invoice number and keep in mind that remittance should be free of bank charges to the receiver.
Within what time frame should the invoice be paid?
The paid before date or time frame is mentioned on the invoice. Usually it is within 14 days.
Can I pay in installments?
No. In order to participate in the MSc Programme, it is necessary that we have received the full amount in our bank account at least 2.5 months before the MSc Programme will start.
Do I have to apply for the visa and resident permit myself?
No. Once your admission to one of our programmes has been finalized we will send you documentation for the visa and resident permit application. The documentation has to be completed and returned to IHE Delft. You need to have a residence permit if you are a citizen of a non-EU/EEA country or Switzerland and you would like to stay in the Netherlands for a period of more than three months.
A residence permit will generally be issued for the duration of your study programme, provided that you obtain 50% of your study credits every year. As mentioned above, if you want to keep your permit, you need to get at least 50% of your study credits each year. However, you may have a reason to be unable to get that 50%. Whether that is an illness, homesickness or any other reason, please do not hesitate to contact your student counsellor. Together with your counsellor you can find out whether your reasons are valid enough to be excluded from the 50% credits rule. Please do not be afraid to ask for help because if you do not and you will end the year with less than 50%, you will be sent home.
Is your MSc degree recognized by other universities?
The IHE Delft MSc degrees are accredited under the Dutch law and are as such legally registered at the Central Register for Higher Education Programmes (CROHO) in The Netherlands. The Ministry of Education is co-signatory on all the diplomas presented by the Institute, thus endorsing the academic standard of the degrees as comparable to those of the Dutch universities.
The MSc degree is recognised as a graduate level credit by all Dutch universities and many universities abroad. The MSc degree gives automatic access to the PhD programmes of those universities. Normally no extra entrance examinations or course requirements are needed.
Candidates who fulfilled the requirements for obtaining the MSc degree are given a diploma as well as a diploma supplement describing the programme and an overview of the results obtained.
What are certified copies?
Authenticated or certified copies are copies with an official stamp to verify that the copies are true copies of original documents. This official stamp may be from one of the following: a solicitor/notary, the educational institution from where you gained the diplomas or the local council/local authority/local government office.
Where can I find help with completing my online application?
If you have any problems or need assistance with completing the application, we kindly request you to read our FAQ for applicants first.
If you have run into a problem that is not described in our FAQ, contact us by sending an email to:
Make sure to explain the problem in details and add print screen(s) of the error message.
Are the programmes accredited?
Yes, they are accredited with the Netherlands-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO) according to a standard assessment protocol.
To what internal policies do the MSc Programmes adhere?
The criteria to which the Institute's MSc Programmes comply are described in the Policy Note MSc Programmes offered in Delft.
Does the Institute have mechanisms in place to acertain that the quality of its programmes is safeguarded?
Yes, the main vehicle to ensure quality is the external accreditation by the NVAO. The internal protocol used for evaluating programmes and components thereof is described in the 'Policy Note Evaluation'.
MSc Scholarships
Which fellowships are available to me?
More information on fellowships can be found at Nuffic's grantfinder. The various possibilities mentioned on our website are just a few options for financial assistance. IHE Delft is open to any kind of fellowship as long as it covers the total costs of the programme. Please keep in mind that each fellowship has its own application requirements, rules and regulations. Finding funding is solely the responsibility of the applicant.
Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP)
The Orange Knowledge Programme aims to advance the development of the capacity, knowledge and quality of both individuals and institutions in higher and vocational education. One component of the programme is the availability of individual scholarships for professionals. More info: www.un-ihe.org/orange-knowledge-programme