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CIHEAM > MASTERS > Watermanagement.26

Sustainable water management and governance in natural and agricultural environments

  • 4th Edition: 2026/2028
  • Start date: October 2026
  • Zaragoza (Spain)
  • 976 716 000
  • iamz@iamz.ciheam.org
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

Water is a natural resource that requires careful management to ensure its availability and quality for future generations. In order to face the challenges of water management and governance in natural and agricultural environments, including efficient irrigation management and water allocation for agricultural production, professionals need to work in an integrated and interdisciplinary manner, involving hydrological, biophysical, agronomic, economic, institutional, regulatory, policy-making and planning efforts.

The main objective of this Master is to train future professionals responsible for decision-making in the field of water management and governance, and irrigation in agriculture, equipping them with the required blend of skills from an interdisciplinary and integrating vision.

The master's degree enables participants to:

  • make decisions and act in accordance with good water governance practices, aware of the importance of society's participation in decision-making;
  • know and analyse the legal and economic framework and regulations in force, weighing opportunities and constraints;
  • contribute to the sustainability, better use, and conservation of water resources and aquatic systems;
  • gain experience in the application of modelling, new information and communication technologies and digitisation to increase the efficiency of services and improve risk prediction and management;
  • support cooperation and development of the rural environment by promoting rational water management and irrigation in agriculture, with prospects for economic growth, social development and respect for the environment.
Academic guide

MODULES

Summary of the first year of the Master's programme

  • Water management and governance: the European Union water acquis
  • Water management and governance of the Government of Spain and regional governments
  • River basin organisations in Spain
  • Water Users Associations, their federations at basin, Spanish and European levels
  • Water management and governance in the Mediterranean
  • Infrastructure in the water cycle
  • Water management and water governance
  • Hydrology, climate and geomorphology
  • Water and ecosystems
  • Water, climate and global change
  • The Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems nexus
  • Integrated adaptive planning and management of water resources
  • Water as an economic resource
  • Economic assessment
  • Economic valuation
  • Economic and financial instruments
  • Ecosystems-based management
  • Concepts of water governance
  • Institutional dimension of water governance: international, national and river basin
  • International institutions for water governance
  • Allocation of uses and water resource planning
  • Theories of development, change and international cooperation
  • The international cooperation system
  • AECID: the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation for Development
  • Management development interventions
  • Remote sensing for water management
  • Geographic information systems for water management
  • Scenario building, models and decision support systems for water management
  • Digital transformation in water management
  • Concepts of risk
  • Prevention and management of risks associated with floods
  • Prevention and management of risks associated with droughts
  • Prevention and management of risks associated with pollution
  • River management and governance: ecological restoration
  • Wetland and lake management and governance: ecological restoration
  • Lakes: ecological features, management and ecological restoration
  • Groundwater management and governance: contamination and preservation
  • Water management in agrarian environments
  • Water management in forests and shrubs
  • Hydrological modelling
  • Efficient irrigation water use: general aspects
  • Efficient irrigation water use in orchards and greenhouses
  • Microeconomics and institutional aspects of irrigation water use
  • Management and governance of irrigation modernisation
  • Generation of non-conventional water resources in Mediterranean agriculture
  • Management and governance of non-conventional water resources for agriculture
  • Management and governance of salinity and diffuse pollution in agriculture
  • A supervisor will be assigned to each student to develop an individual project based on literature review, data analysis and/or computer modelling on the topics of the units above.

TOTAL – 600 contact hours, 900 hours of personal work, 60 ECTS

Summary of the second year of the Master's programme

  • Soft skills (6 ECTS)
  • Practicum (24 ECTS)

The second year of the Master consists of tutored initiation to research or to professional activity in collaboration with governmental institutions, universities, research centres, NGOs, associations and firms. CIHEAM Zaragoza will provide information about the activities of the centres where students will carry out their projects. Students will choose a topic of their interest. They may also propose a project upon agreement with the host centres.

PROGRAMME
BROCHURE
Lecturers

REASONS TO STUDY THIS PROGRAMME

Why choose this Master of Science?

Gain a high-level understanding of water governance across international, national, and river basin dimensions. You will study the European Union water acquis and the specific organizational structures of river basin authorities and water users associations.

Acquire the specific knowledge and attitudes required for engaging in international cooperation development projects. The program includes dedicated training on theories of change, the international cooperation system, and management of development interventions in collaboration with AECID.

Gain intensive experience in the application of modeling, new information and communication technologies, and digitization. This includes 8 ECTS of specialized training in remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and decision support systems.

Develop specialised expertise in modern irrigation planning, management, and optimisation. You will acquire a comprehensive understanding of irrigation performance, water-use efficiency, and the integration of technological solutions, including precision irrigation, smart monitoring systems, and data-driven decision-making. The programme emphasises sustainable irrigation strategies adapted to water scarcity, climate variability, and agricultural resilience.

Develop an interdisciplinary perspective to face the challenges of water management in natural and agricultural environments. You will master the “Nexus” approach, ensuring that water planning considers the interconnected needs of energy, food security, and ecosystems.

Become an expert in the governance and ecological restoration of aquatic systems. The curriculum covers river, wetland, and lake management, as well as the preservation and contamination control of groundwater resources.

Prepare to manage and predict critical risks, including floods, droughts, and pollution. You will learn to apply prevention and management strategies to increase the efficiency of services and improve community resilience.

Lead the transition toward sustainable irrigation and the use of non-conventional water resources. You will learn the management and governance of salinity, diffuse pollution, and the modernisation of irrigation structures for sustainable food production.

master coordination

Maite Aguinaco

Academic coordinator

CIHEAM Zaragoza

Enrique Playán

Scientific coordinator

EEAD-CSIC

TESTIMONIALS

“It has been a very important life experience. I am sure that it is going to help me a great deal in my professional future. I have had the opportunity to do an internship at the Mediterranean Water Institute on water management in my country. It is an experience that I know I will never forget.“
Alisja Herri (Albania)
2022/2024 edition
“CIHEAM Zaragoza is a unique and outstanding institute of advanced studies; the quality of teaching is unrivalled, as it brings together experts from various national and international universities, ensuring that students have access to the best academics in each area of study. This undoubtedly enriched my experience and broadened my academic horizons.”
Mohamed Hamitouche (Algeria)
2020/2022 edition
“This year was incredible. It is a great opportunity for my professional career because I want to do a PhD and study the relationship between water and forests and climate change, a topic that interests me greatly as a forestry engineer.”
Halima Najihi (Morocco)
2022/2024 edition

Admission

This Master of Science programme is designed for graduates holding a degree in agricultural science, agricultural engineering, forestry engineering, environmental engineering, environmental science, as well as other engineering disciplines, biology, geography, geology, chemistry, or biochemistry. Applications are also welcome from candidates with academic backgrounds in social sciences, economics, law, and information and communication technologies (ICT).

The programme is delivered in English. Applicants should accredit a minimum B2 level of English.

Registration fees are approximately 1820* euro for each academic year of the Master. This amount covers:

  • Cost of credits enrolled
  • Administration fee

(*) This fee will be updated according to the new official rates of the Government of Aragon for the corresponding academic year.

Candidates must apply online at the following address: www.admission.iamz.ciheam.org

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FAQS

The first year of the Master will be held from October 2026 to June 2027. The second year will begin in September 2027 for a duration of 10 months

Application deadlines are as follows:

Candidates requiring visa*: 10 May 2026.

Candidates not requiring visa:

1st deadline: 14 June 2026. Candidatures presented by this deadline will have preference

2nd deadline: 13 September 2026

(*) Non-European candidates should be aware of visa application deadlines.

Candidates from CIHEAM member countries (Albania, Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia and Türkiye) and neighbouring countries (Jordan, Mauritania, and Palestine), as well as candidates from Latin America, may apply for scholarships. They will be awarded according to academic merit. Priority will be given to applicants from low- and medium-income countries.

Postgraduate Specialisation Diploma awarded by CIHEAM (60 ECTS)

Master of Science awarded by CIHEAM (120 ECTS)

It is compulsory for students attending the master to have medical insurance valid for Spain. Proof of insurance cover must be given at the beginning of the master. Those who so wish may participate in a collective insurance policy taken out by the Organisation, upon payment of the stipulated sum.

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