Learning experience
Innovative and accessible
Lecturers are renowned experts from complementary water science disciplines, enabling you to explore water challenges from various perspectives. They inspire you by including in their courses cutting-edge findings from recent international research projects, such as RECHARGE (boosting infiltration), WETLANDERS (wetland restoration), and AQUAlive (urban aquatic ecosystems). The classes are very interactive: much attention is given to assignments where the student is put central, such as presentations and supervised group work. Lecturers are approachable and open to questions both during and outside classes. Furthermore, opportunities are provided for you to directly interact with water professionals through guest speakers and company visits. You will be well prepared for the future and have a clear view of current challenges, innovative solutions and career opportunities in the water sector.
International and diverse
Think Water offers you an attractive international and diverse learning environment. The programme is completely taught in English and internationally oriented. During classes, lecturers share examples of sustainable water management from all over the world. You can also expect fellow students with a very diverse background, both in terms of nationality and previously obtained master’s degrees, creating a vibrant and collaborative learning environment. The programme offers plenty of opportunities to work in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, in which you will learn to tackle water challenges, such as water scarcity, flood risk, and ecosystem restoration, together with fellow students.
As part of the University of Antwerp’s complementary education approach, some courses are organised jointly with other master programmes focussing on water, such as the Master of Science in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management (Oceans and Lakes) and the Erasmus Mundus Master in Applied Ecohydrology (MAEH). This shared learning environment strengthens interdisciplinary exchange, exposes students to diverse perspectives, and further enriches discussions on complex water-related challenges.
Applied and close to practice
If you choose to study Think Water, you can count on a solid academic foundation, but you will also immediately get started with real-life applications and projects. The emphasis is on applied skills that you acquire through laboratory work, computer exercises and case studies, which allow you to apply theory to practice. Close cooperation with the professional field (companies, research institutions and governments) is considered highly important and is strongly embedded in the programme through excursions, company visits and guest speakers (e.g. Médecins Sans Frontières, Join For Water, Aquafin).
An example of a real-life project you will work on is the Kruibeke-Basel-Rupelmonde flood control and nature restoration area next to the river Scheldt, which is part of the Sigmaplan. Practical's focus on water quality and monitoring—such as macroinvertebrate‑based water assessment—or on groundwater and soil assessment in collaboration with the UAntwerp spin-off company iFLUX. The showpiece of the programme is the course Case River 21, where guest speakers from the field, excursions, group work, and integration of knowledge and skills come together. By working with real data, real stakeholders and real challenges, you build practical experience that directly prepares you for your professional career in the water sector.