FAQ
The frequently asked questions and answers listed are divided into questions about the MSc programmes, PhD programme, short courses and online courses.
MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development
What are the admission requirements?
Please find the admission requirements here.
What are the English language requirements?
The English language requirements can be found here
When is the yearly application deadline?
The application deadline is 1 July, but please note that applicants who seek financial assistance may have to apply much earlier – please see the fellowship page. The Delft-based MSc programmes start in late October or early November 2022. Application deadlines for joint master programmes vary, please see the programme pages.
What happens after I have applied for an MSc Programme?
Applicants first receive an automatic email confirmation. Up to four weeks later, applicants receive another email to inform whether they are admitted. Applications are assessed using the criteria for the profile and track the applicants listed as their preferred choices - therefore, although it is possible to change profiles and tracks after admission, it is still important to choose suitable options in the application. Students definite choice of profile will be agreed after confirmation of financial support and an online meeting with their IHE coach. Please note that not all profiles and track combinations are possible – please check the website. A tip: study the information on the track and profile content to ensure you pick what is best for you.
What are the requirements for the recommendation letters?
All applicants need two letters of recommendation. They should be written by persons who are qualified to evaluate applicant's potential for graduate study. Applicants who work could ask their current (or recent) employers. Senior academic members of staff working at the institution where you studied or performed academic work also are suitable letter authors.
The letters need to include the referees’ title, their relation to the applicant including how long they have worked together. The letters should refer to examples of applicant's work and explain why the referee feels the applicant is a fit for the specific programme.
Examples of valid referees or recommenders are:
- Managers or mentors in a superior position in the workplace
- Faculty, deans, or professors
- Academic advisors
- Immediate supervisors
- Research project managers
Letters older than a year, and letters from family members, close friends, or non-superior colleagues are not accepted.
When are the application and financial confirmation deadlines?
Deadlines for the Delft-based master programme in Water and Sustainable Development:
- Application deadline (sponsors may require earlier applications): 1 July 2022
- Financial confirmation deadline (the date by which students have to show how their studies will be financed): 1 August 2022
- Deadline for online meeting with coach: 1 September 2022
- Start academic year: Monday 31 October 2022
I was accepted to an IHE Delft MSc program earlier, but haven’t started. Is my admission valid?
No. You will have to apply again for admission to the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development.
What are the specific admission requirements for each track/profile?
You can find the entry requirements for each track/profile here.
What are the advised preparatory courses for each track/profile and where can I find these?
You can find the advised preparatory courses for each track/profile here. Students are strongly encouraged to take preparatory courses for their track/profile. The courses will be made available on IHE Delft’s Open Education Platform in April 2022.
What happens if I apply for a specific track/profile and IHE Delft evaluates that I do not have the required bachelor major?
In such cases, the admission officer will check if the applicants meet the criteria for another track/profile and ask them if they want to apply for that instead. Students admitted this way will receive an admission letter for the Master programme in Water and Sustainable Development, indicating that their provisional admission is based on the track/profile for which they meet the requirements. After the students have confirmed their funding for the programme, they will discuss their study wishes with a coach. Under certain conditions, for example successful completion of preparatory courses, students can switch back to their first choice. Applicants who don’t fulfil the criteria for any of the tracks/profiles will be informed that they cannot be admitted.
I am interested in a track/profile combination which is not offered by IHE Delft. What should I do?
Choose the track/profile combination which best corresponds to your wishes and use the form’s comment space and the motivation letter to explain further. Applications will be evaluated on the preference indicated in the application form. Once admitted, students can discuss their wishes with their IHE coach, who will explore options to accommodate these.
Will it still be possible to change my chosen track/profile after the meeting with the IHE Delft coach?
Yes. Changing the track/profile is possible until the end of the first module.
I cannot finance the cost of my study myself. What are the possibilities for scholarships?
Information on scholarships can be found here.
Can I submit documents in another language than English?
No, the documents need to be translated into English by a sworn translator.
Can I apply for multiple programmes at the same time?
Applicants can only submit one application for the Delft-based master programme in Water and Sustainable Development. However, they can in addition also apply for an Erasmus Mundus programme for which Erasmus Mundus scholarships are available.
What are the costs of an MSc Programme at IHE Delft?
More information on the cost can be found here.
Can I pay in instalments?
No. The full amount must have arrived at IHE Delft at least 2.5 months before the MSc Programme start.
Do I have to apply for the visa and resident permit myself?
No. Successful applicants will receive documentation for visa and resident permit applications to complete and return to IHE Delft. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens don’t need residence permits.
Is an MSc degree awarded by IHE Delft recognized by other universities?
The IHE Delft MSc degrees are accredited under the Dutch law and are 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. Normally no extra entrance examinations or course requirements are needed to apply for PhDs after the course.
MSc graduates receive a diploma and a diploma supplement that describes the programme and provides an overview of the graduate’s results.
The MSc Programme is accredited by the Netherlands-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO) according to a standard assessment protocol.
I am interested in the Research MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development. Where can I find more information?
In November 2023, IHE Delft will launch the Research Master with a duration of 21 months and 120 EC. Application is expected to open in the course of 2022. More information can be found here. If you are interested, please register for more information.
What is the difference between the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development (68 EC) and the Research MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development (120 EC)?
The one-year (68 EC) MSc in Water and Sustainable Development is for students who seek a science-based MSc degree that is anchored in, and prepares them for, professional practice. However, this degree also generally qualifies successful graduates to apply for PhDs.
The two-year (120EC) Research MSc in Water and Sustainable Development will equip and prepare students for a career in research, academia or to pursue a PhD.