International Master in Sustainable Water Management and Governance in Natural and Agricultural Environments

Water is at the heart of every major challenge of our time: climate change, food security, ecosystem collapse, energy transitions. Behind every one of these crises, water is either part of the problem — or the key to the solution. The professionals who will navigate these challenges need more than technical knowledge. They need to think across disciplines, lead across institutions, and act across borders.

Offered by CIHEAM Zaragoza in collaboration with MITECO, AECID, the Tragsa Group, SEIASA, INIA-CSIC, and ICARDA, this internationally recognised programme trains the next generation of decision-makers in water governance, irrigation management, and environmental sustainability. Over two years and 120 ECTS, you will gain the interdisciplinary expertise — technical, institutional, economic, and digital — to tackle real-world water challenges at every scale, from local river basins to international cooperation frameworks.

Why this Master?

💧 Global governance perspective — Study the EU water acquis, international water institutions, and river basin management in depth.
💧 Hands-on digital skills — 8 ECTS dedicated to remote sensing, GIS, and digital transformation in water management.
💧 International cooperation expertise — Specialised training with AECID on development cooperation and project management.
💧 Advanced irrigation and efficiency — Master precision irrigation, smart monitoring, and water-use optimisation under scarcity and climate variability.
💧 The Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems Nexus — Develop the integrated vision needed to make decisions that work for people, agriculture, and nature.
💧 Circular economy and non-conventional resources — Lead the transition to sustainable water use in agriculture and beyond.

Who should apply?

Graduates in agricultural science, environmental engineering, biology, geography, geology, economics, law, ICT, and related fields. The programme is delivered in English (B2 level required) and welcomes applicants from all over the world.

Application deadlines:

📅 10 May 2026 — Candidates requiring a visa
📅 14 June 2026 — Priority deadline (non-visa candidates)
📅 13 September 2026 — Final deadline