UNESCO-IHE offers high-quality online courses in an increasing number of topics of interest in the water sector. The innovative delivery format makes learning exciting, flexible, interactive and effective. It allows participants anywhere in the world to learn at their own convenience, and immediately apply their newly acquired knowledge in their working environment.

The online courses are intended for professionals working in public and private institutions, NGOs, and academic institutions, and are ideal for those with families who want to upgrade their skills from the comfort of their own home or office.

A typical course covers a four-month period, and requires around eight hours of study per week (total study load 140 hours).

During an online course UNESCO-IHE lecturers provide intensive guidance, and there are many opportunities to obtain feedback from and interact with fellow participants.

Participants can access the online courses at any time via UNESCO-IHE ’s Online Learning Environment, which can be used to download training materials and for communication.

It contains lecture notes and learning tools such as presentations, videos featuring case studies from various countries, interviews with experts, quizzes and audio materials, as well as a discussion area where fellow participants and lecturers can meet.

Apply for a course?

Download application form in prospective students section

Although the courses are available only via the Online Learning Environment, participants can also receive materials on CD.

In some cases, UNESCO-IHE can arrange for lectures and question-and-answer sessions to take place via a videoconferencing link.

NFP Fellowships

Most of our online courses are eligible for NFP fellowships (see the website www.nuffic.nl ). Nationals from around 60 countries can apply for a NFP fellowship via the Netherlands Embassy or Consulate.

Please check with the Embassy or www.nuffic.nl. Please be informed that you need an admission letter from our institute before you can get the NFP forms.

For online courses starting in March 2010, the deadline is around 1 October 2009;
For online courses starting in April 2010, the deadline is around 1 December 2009;
For online courses starting in September 2010, the deadline is around 1 March 2010

In case you can arrange funding via other sources, the deadline of application is 4 weeks before the start of the course.