IMETE 2026–2028 Applications Open: 6 Partial Scholarships for the International Master in Environmental Technology and Engineering

Applications are still open for the International Master of Science in Environmental Technology and Engineering (IMETE) 2026–2028 intake, a two-year international master’s programme that allows students to study environmental engineering and water-related technologies across leading European institutions in the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Belgium.

For the 2026–2028 intake, six partial scholarships remain available, reducing the tuition fee to €3,000 for the entire two-year programme for eligible candidates. However, applicants should note an important change: there are no full Erasmus Mundus scholarships available for this intake.

The remaining reduced-fee places are intended for self-funded candidates who either do not require a visa for Europe or are considered able to obtain the necessary visa sufficiently quickly. The programme states that candidates from countries where the visa process is expected to take too long will not be accepted for this intake because students must be able to begin their first semester in Prague on time.

The final application deadline for the 2026–2028 intake is 31 August 2026.

About the International Master in Environmental Technology and Engineering

The International Master in Environmental Technology and Engineering, commonly known as IMETE, is a multidisciplinary master’s programme focused on preparing a new generation of environmental engineers and scientists.

The programme combines scientific knowledge, environmental engineering, practical experience and international mobility.

Students study topics related to:

• Water treatment
• Wastewater treatment and reuse
• Desalination
• Environmental technologies
• Resource recovery
• Biological treatment processes
• Membrane technologies
• Environmental biotechnology
• Water-quality management
• Sustainable engineering

The programme carries 120 ECTS credits, with students normally completing 30 ECTS per semester.

Over two academic years, students study at several European universities and research institutions, gaining exposure to different academic environments, countries and approaches to environmental technology.

IMETE 2026–2028 Programme Structure

One of the defining characteristics of IMETE is its international mobility model.

Students move between partner universities during different semesters.

Semester 1: University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

The first semester takes place at the:

University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic

Period:

September to January

Students begin building the scientific and engineering foundations needed for the remainder of the programme.

Semester 2: IHE Delft Institute for Water Education

The second semester takes place at:

IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Delft, the Netherlands

Period:

February to June

IHE Delft has a strong focus on water-related education and research, making this semester particularly relevant for students developing expertise in environmental technology, wastewater management and water systems.

Summer Internship

During the first summer, while associated with IHE Delft, IMETE students normally undertake an internship lasting several weeks.

Past student experiences described by the programme include placements involving:

• Air-treatment technologies
• Bioreactor systems
• Odour and gas-emission treatment
• Decentralised wastewater treatment
• Wastewater-treatment plant development
• Research and scientific writing
• Microbiological analysis
• Treatment-process optimisation

These placements provide an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to practical environmental-engineering challenges.

Semester 3: Ghent University

The third semester takes place at:

Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

Period:

September to January

Students continue developing specialised knowledge while benefiting from another European research and academic environment.

Semester 4: Master’s Dissertation

The fourth and final semester runs approximately from:

February to August/September

Students complete their master’s dissertation at one of the three main consortium institutions or an associated IMETE partner.

The dissertation carries 30 ECTS credits and forms an integrated part of the master’s programme.

Potential Master’s Research Areas

IMETE offers research possibilities across environmental engineering and water technologies.

Desalination and Reuse

Potential areas include:

• Seawater desalination
• Brackish-water desalination
• Membrane fouling
• Fouling prediction in reverse-osmosis systems
• Membrane scaling
• Performance prediction for membrane-based desalination
• Membrane-cleaning optimisation
• Pretreatment for desalination
• Post-treatment of desalinated water
• Biological fouling prevention
• Reducing chemical use
• Reducing energy consumption
• Minimising environmental impacts
• Wastewater reuse for ultra-pure water

Wastewater Treatment and Reuse

Potential topics include:

• Domestic wastewater treatment
• Agricultural wastewater reuse
• Emerging contaminants
• Decentralised wastewater infrastructure
• Nitrogen conversion
• Industrial wastewater management
• Resource recovery
• Biomass valorisation
• Environmental DNA
• Microbial-source tracking
• Water-quality analysis
• Bioreactors
• Photo-activated sludge
• Granular treatment processes
• Biochar-based filters
• Hydrothermal sludge treatment

The range of research areas makes the programme relevant to students interested in both fundamental scientific research and applied environmental engineering.

What Makes the IMETE Programme Attractive?

High-Quality Environmental Engineering Education

The programme introduces students to contemporary technologies in:

• Water treatment
• Wastewater treatment
• Desalination
• Water reuse
• Environmental engineering

Students learn within universities and institutes that have established expertise in environmental and water-related research.

International Exposure

IMETE is inherently international.

Students study in at least three European countries and interact with classmates, faculty members and researchers from different cultural and professional backgrounds.

The mobility structure provides exposure to several academic systems and approaches to environmental challenges.

Hands-On Experience

The programme combines academic study with practical experience.

Internships, laboratory activities, research projects and the master’s dissertation allow participants to apply theoretical knowledge to real environmental and engineering problems.

Students may also receive guidance from international mentors and supervisors with specialised expertise.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must satisfy several academic requirements.

Academic Degree

Candidates should have successfully completed a first higher-education degree equivalent to a Bachelor of Science degree of approximately 180 ECTS.

Applicants who have not yet completed their bachelor’s degree may still apply if they have successfully completed at least 120 ECTS.

If admitted conditionally, they must obtain the first degree no later than 15 August 2026.

Academic Performance

Applicants should normally demonstrate a good academic record equivalent to approximately:

• GPA of at least B/B+ under the U.S. system, or
• At least a UK upper-second-class equivalent

Relevant Academic Background

Acceptable backgrounds include pure or applied sciences such as:

• Chemistry
• Biology
• Geology
• Civil engineering
• Agricultural engineering
• Environmental sciences
• Agricultural sciences
• Other closely related scientific or engineering disciplines

Scientific Preparation

Applicants must have sufficient academic knowledge of:

• Mathematics
• Physics
• Chemistry

Basic knowledge of biology is recommended.

English Language Requirements

Applicants normally need to provide evidence from an internationally recognised English-language test.

Some nationalities may be exempt according to the programme’s English-language rules.

However, candidates from countries where English is used as the language of university instruction but which are not included on the official exemption list must still provide an accepted English-language test result. A university letter stating that previous education was conducted in English will not replace the required test in such cases.

Applicants may submit their main application before receiving the test result.

The final deadline for uploading the required English-language test is:

31 August 2026

Required Application Documents

Applicants should prepare the following documentation.

1. Academic Diploma

A copy of the applicant’s degree certificate is required.

Where necessary, documents should be accompanied by an English translation prepared by a sworn translator.

2. Certified Academic Transcripts

Applicants should provide certified transcripts or mark sheets.

If the grading system is not explained clearly on the transcript, documentation explaining the official grading system should also be provided.

3. Curriculum Vitae

The CV should include relevant:

• Education
• Employment
• Professional experience
• Research experience, where applicable

4. Motivation Questions

Applicants will need to answer several questions through the online application.

These address topics such as:

• Why the applicant wants to join IMETE
• Environmental challenges the applicant wants to address
• How the programme will help address those challenges
• Relevant qualifications and experience
• The applicant’s five-year career vision

5. Two Recommendation Letters

Applicants need two letters of recommendation, preferably issued within the previous six months.

They may come from:

• Two university teachers, or
• One university teacher and one employer, or
• Internationally recognised scientists

The letters should address the applicant’s academic, scientific, professional and personal potential.

They should be dated, signed and issued on official letterhead.

6. English-Language Test

An accepted English-language test result must be submitted unless the applicant qualifies for an official exemption.

Application documents must generally be uploaded as PDF files, with a maximum file size of 2 MB per file.

Six Reduced-Tuition Scholarships Available

For the 2026–2028 intake, the programme states that approximately six partial scholarships remain available.

Successful recipients pay:

€3,000 total tuition for the entire two-year programme

This is a significant reduction compared with the stated external-sponsor tuition fee.

However, candidates should understand that this is not a fully funded scholarship.

There are no full Erasmus Mundus scholarships available for the 2026–2028 intake.

Financial Responsibilities

Students receiving the reduced tuition rate must be capable of financing the remaining costs themselves or through other funding.

Tuition

For eligible self-paying students under the reduced-fee arrangement:

€3,000 for the full two-year programme

For candidates funded by an external sponsor, the stated tuition fee is:

€22,500 for two years

Insurance

Approximately:

€34 per month, or roughly €835 for 24.5 months

Visa and Residence Permits

Where required, visa and residence-permit expenses are estimated at approximately:

€1,000

Living and Travel Costs

Students are advised to budget at least:

€1,220 per month

This amount is intended to cover living expenses and travel between partner institutions.

Candidates must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to cover tuition, insurance and living costs.

Financial confirmation is required no later than 31 August 2026.

Visa Requirement for the 2026–2028 Intake

The visa condition deserves particular attention.

The programme states that the remaining 2026–2028 reduced-fee opportunities are intended for candidates who:

• Do not require a visa for Europe, or
• Can obtain the necessary visa relatively easily and quickly

Due to lengthy visa procedures for the Czech Republic, applicants who require a visa are strongly advised to begin arrangements as early as possible.

The programme states that it will not accept students from countries where the visa procedure would take too long for timely enrolment.

Applicants should therefore confirm their individual visa circumstances before investing substantial time in the application.

Rent Benefit in the Netherlands

Students studying at IHE Delft may potentially qualify for the Dutch rent benefit system.

Much of IHE Delft’s student accommodation is reportedly eligible.

Students who meet the relevant requirements can apply through the Dutch tax authorities and may receive financial assistance covering a portion of their rent.

Eligibility is determined by Dutch authorities and should not be treated as guaranteed programme funding.

Post-Graduation Job-Seeking Opportunities

IMETE graduates may also have opportunities to remain temporarily in participating countries after completing the degree to look for employment.

According to the programme information, graduates may potentially stay:

• Up to one year in the Netherlands
• Up to one year in Belgium
• Up to nine months in the Czech Republic

These possibilities generally relate to orientation-year or job-seeking residence permits and remain subject to national immigration rules.

Application Deadline

The final deadline for the 2026–2028 intake is:

31 August 2026

The same date applies to several important requirements, including:

• Final programme application
• English-language test submission
• Financial confirmation

Scholarship/reduced-fee outcomes are expected to be communicated following selection in early September 2026.

Because the first semester takes place in Prague and Czech visa processing may be lengthy, applicants requiring immigration permission should not wait until the final deadline.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted through the official IHE Delft online application system for the International Master in Environmental Technology and Engineering.

Before beginning the application, candidates should prepare:

1. Academic diploma or provisional graduation documentation
2. Certified transcripts
3. CV
4. Answers to the programme’s motivation questions
5. Two recommendation letters
6. English-language test result or appropriate exemption documentation
7. Evidence of financial capacity where required

Applicants can monitor the status of their application through the online application portal.

For programme enquiries:

International Master of Science in Environmental Technology and Engineering (IMETE)
Westvest 7
2611 AX Delft
The Netherlands

Email: erasmusregistration+imete@un-ihe.org

To know more about this opportunity, VISIT HERE.

Conclusion

The IMETE 2026–2028 International Master in Environmental Technology and Engineering offers an intensive two-year European study experience for students seeking advanced expertise in water, wastewater treatment, desalination, reuse and environmental engineering.

Students study in the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Belgium, complete practical internships and finish the programme with a 30-ECTS research dissertation.

For the current intake, six reduced-tuition opportunities remain, lowering the tuition fee to €3,000 for the full two-year programme. Applicants must nevertheless finance their insurance, living expenses, travel and other costs themselves, and no fully funded Erasmus Mundus scholarships are available for this intake.

The final deadline is 31 August 2026, with particular urgency for candidates requiring visas because the first semester begins in Prague.

To discover more scholarship opportunities, VISIT HERE.