Overview
This Master’s programme trains students to become specialists in hydro-environmental extremes — extreme hydrological and meteorological events and their impacts on water and the broader environment. Graduates earn an academic degree that qualifies them to act as scientific and engineering consultants in this field, take on leadership roles in industry, business or public administration, or continue into independent doctoral research in related disciplines.
What you will learn
The curriculum combines physical and computational process understanding with risk analysis, management and decision-making skills. Through interdisciplinary teaching and elective modules drawn from civil and mechanical engineering and computer science, students learn to analyse extreme-event problems using modern analytical methods and advanced scientific computing. The course encourages innovative, sometimes non‑conventional approaches and the application of new technologies and verification methods to develop practical mitigation and adaptation strategies for climate‑related challenges.
Why this programme
Its cross-disciplinary design — a distinctive combination of civil/mechanical engineering and computer science modules in Germany — equips graduates to balance technical, socio‑economic and environmental considerations when designing solutions. Graduates are prepared for professional roles that require rigorous analysis of extreme events and for research careers aiming at novel, high‑accuracy solutions beyond traditional, discipline‑limited approaches.
Programme focus and intended applicants (concise)
Program structure and expected outcomes
This two-year (standard period: four semesters) Master’s curriculum requires a total of 120 credit points (CP) for graduation and normally begins in the winter semester. The programme is organised into four main components: a 6‑CP preparatory/adaptation block tailored to each student’s prior education, a compulsory area made up of six modules totalling 36 CP, a substantial compulsory‑elective component worth 48 CP, and a 30‑CP Master’s thesis. The mix of required and elective work gives students both a solid common foundation and flexibility to specialise within the field.
Throughout the programme students deepen their theoretical knowledge and practical skills related to hydro‑environmental extremes. The compulsory modules ensure a coherent core competency set, the large elective portion allows targeted study and applied project work, and the 30‑credit thesis develops independent research and problem‑solving abilities. By the end of the degree, graduates will be prepared to undertake advanced analyses, modelling and design related to hydro‑environmental risks and to conduct independent master‑level research.
Key points (requirements and structure)
This Master's program requires a completed Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a closely related engineering or geoscience discipline. Accepted fields include civil engineering (including dual degrees), mechanical engineering, computer science, environmental sciences, geology (including engineering geology and hydrogeology), geosciences, geography, and geophysics. The qualifying undergraduate program should be at least three years in duration.
Degrees awarded by the University of Siegen are explicitly accepted. Applicants with a Bachelor's from a state or state-recognised university in Germany (within the area of application of the German Basic Law) or from a recognised institution abroad may also be admitted, provided their degree is deemed comparable. The examination board reviews international and other degrees to decide on comparability; comparability is assumed when no substantial differences exist between the candidate’s qualification and the degrees listed above.
A minimum final grade of 2.7 (German grading scale) is required for the Bachelor's degree to qualify for admission. If your transcript uses a different grading system, submit your official transcripts and the grading scale so the examination board can assess equivalence.
Winter Semester (International)
30 April 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
30 April 2026
Graduates are qualified for roles as consulting engineers and technical specialists in water and environmental sectors, and for positions in planning, implementation and administration at public agencies or private companies. The programme also develops competencies sought by industry and business for project managers dealing with infrastructure resilience and risk management.
The master's also prepares students for further academic research and a possible doctorate, equipping them with the computational and interdisciplinary skills required for research careers in universities, research institutes and international organisations.