Education

Do you want to change the world?

The United Nations University (UNU) Hub Master’s track at Lund University combines studies in master’s programmes with training activities for students to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in collaboration with staff from the UNU Institute for Water Environment & Health (UNU-INWEH) and Lund University. The purpose of the UNU Hub Master’s track is to prepare students for careers in international development, by providing theoretical knowledge and research training on solutions to global water issues and expanded professional networks. To initiate the UNU Hub at Lund University, the first master’s track is developed within the master’s programme in Water Resources Engineering.

In the UNU Hub Master’s track in Water Resources Engineering, students will take a selected set of courses in their ongoing programme, a tailor-made project course, and finally a master’s thesis connected to ongoing research projects at UNU-INWEH. The master’s thesis will be conducted in collaboration with researchers from UNU-INWEH and Lund University and will allow students to develop their theoretical understanding and research skills in an international research context, while supporting the implementation of the SDGs.

The students who successfully complete the UNU Hub Master’s track will receive a fellowship certificate from UNU in addition to the degree they receive from Lund University.

Course components

Overview

To complete the UNU Hub Master’s track in Water Resources Engineering, students will take the following courses:

• Semester 1: Integrated Water Resources Management (VVRF01, 7.5 credits)
• Semester 2: Water, Climate, and Society (VVRN20, 7.5 credits)
• Semester 3: Applied Water Research and Communication in the UN Context (VVRN16, 15 credits)
  • Students collaborate on tasks connected to ongoing research on water components of the SDGs at UNU-INWEH and Lund University, to build skills in research, communication, and collaboration
• Semester 4: Thesis course (VVRM01, 30 credits)
  • Students work on thesis topics to advance research in ongoing projects at UNU-INWEH on water components for implementation of the SDGs
  • Supervision from researchers at UNU-INWEH and Lund University

Project course

Students accepted to the Master’s track will take the course “Applied Water Research and Communication in the UN Context” (15 credits) in the 3rd semester. The aim of the course is to: 

• Introduce the UN system in relation to water resources
• Provide research and communication training in ongoing water research projects at UNU-INWEH and LU
• Prepare students for thesis work

The course runs over the full 3rd semester at 50%, between the start of September and end of December. It is led by teachers from the Division of Water Resource Engineering and is jointly taught by staff from Lund University and UNU-INWEH, and consists of the following three phases: 

Phase 1 – Introduction to UN system and water resources (September)

• Lectures on the UN system in relation to water, global water challenges and UN’s role, case studies, and future perspectives - by UN and LU staff
• Assignment on current water issues and role of international organizations

Phase 2 – Applied research and communication training (October-November)

• Training sessions on research methods and communication – by staff from LU and UNU-INWEH online courses
• Group work on research tasks related to ongoing water research projects at UNU-INWEH and LU – with supervision
• Communication of results through report writing – e.g. incident report or policy brief

Phase 3 – Presentation & outreach (December)

• Organization of an outreach event to communicate results to invited stakeholders – e.g. seminar or workshop
• The outreach event will be organized together with other activities at the UNU Hub at Lund University, where representatives from the UN and UNU Hub affiliates are invited

Application

Students enrolled in the following programmes are eligible to apply for the UNU Hub Master’s track in Water Resources Engineering:

• Master’s program in Water Resources Engineering (from 2024 and onwards), or
• Civil or Environmental Engineering programs (V and W-programs) with specialization Water Resources Engineering

Each application round will open at the end of May each year, at which time students will need to have 45 credits from the master’s program or specialization in Water Resources Engineering.

The application round to join the 2025 cohort of the UNU Hub Master’s track is open between May 27th, 2025 to June 18th, 2025. Applications are submitted to erik [dot] nilsson [at] tvrl [dot] lth [dot] se and should include the following:

• Motivational letter (max 1 page), with emphasis on:
  • Professional background and interest in the master’s track
  • Interest and experience in using engineering to contribute to social and environmental impact, particularly in vulnerable regions
  • Interest and ability in communicating scientific results to stakeholders
  • Evidence of collaborative work, especially involving interdisciplinary groups
• Academic transcript

Acceptance is based on the result of the evaluation done by coordinators from Lund University and UNU-INWEH with respect to the submitted documents i.e. the motivational letter and academic transcript.

Contact Information

Prospective students: msc [dot] water [at] lth [dot] lu [dot] se
Current students: Erik Nilsson, UNU Hub at Lund University, Educational coordinator, erik [dot] nilsson [at] tvrl [dot] lth [dot] se