Program Structure
The 68 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) points program consists of a taught and a thesis research part. The taught part has a modular structure, comprising 13 modules ranging from 1 to 6 weeks duration, including lectures, laboratory tutorials, field trips, case studies, group work, design exercises and discussions. Especially for this program, IHE Delft has constructed a state-of-the-art faecal sludge laboratory, which is a member of the Global Partnership of Laboratories for Faecal Sludge Analysis. The individual thesis research (29 ECTS) follows on after completion of the taught program, although, in order to avoid a cold start and to guarantee sufficient time, students will be allocated a research topic and will start preparing for their individual research early on in the program. The fieldwork part of the research will preferably take place in a developing country, hosted by one of IHE Delfts academic partners and supervised locally by the partner institution's staff. The thesis defense will take place at IHE Delft and students will be awarded an accredited MSc degree by IHE Delft.
To enable students to pass the entry exam, a set of preparatory self-study online courses are available for those who may need to increase their knowledge in one or more subjects as a prerequisite for the program. The program development included consultation with, and the contribution from, more than 100 leading sanitation experts, and is based on a student-orientated, problem-solving approach, applying active learning methods. Since its establishment 60 years ago, IHE Delft has been providing training and education to water sector professionals, in cooperation with renowned experts from our global network. The new MSc Program in Sanitation is no exception to this practice. Along with its own staff, IHE Delft has secured the commitment of a selection of the world's leading water professionals and academics, who have agreed to share their wealth of experience with the participants of this program, either by teaching in Delft, or supervising applied research work in the field.
