Master’s in Unconventional Water Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in unconventional water engineering, structured in 12 modules covering desalination, water reclamation and reuse, alternative sources, energy, plant design, operation and governance, with Regulation (EU) 2020/741, Royal Decree 1085/2024 and WAVE, and an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Unconventional Water Engineering — studying from Malta
Malta's civil engineering sector is active, driven by ongoing construction, infrastructure upgrades, coastal works and urban regeneration projects across the islands. Demand for civil engineers is closely linked to public works, land development and the modernisation of transport networks. Smart city initiatives, including digital mapping, traffic management and sustainable urban planning, are increasingly relevant. Engineers typically find employment with contractors, consultancies, government departments and utility providers managing infrastructure in a densely populated environment.
Fees for Malta: €8,920 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which Maltese bodies regulate civil engineering and related professional practice?
The Chamber of Engineers (KSU) regulates the use of the title 'engineer' in Malta under the Engineering Profession Act. Planning and development matters fall under the Planning Authority, and public works and transport infrastructure involve government agencies including Transport Malta. A SEIUM qualification does not itself grant a regulated title; recognition is decided by employers or the relevant body.
What employers in Malta would value civil, rail or smart city engineering skills?
Malta's construction, infrastructure, consultancy and public sector firms are the main employers, along with transport and utilities bodies. Smart city and digital infrastructure work is growing in some areas. Employers typically look for chartered-level experience and licensing, so a private qualification should be seen as supporting your professional development rather than a substitute for those requirements.
How can I study this while working on site, and what support is there?
The programme is delivered entirely online in English, so you can study from anywhere in Malta without a student visa. Each student has an assigned technical tutor, and the course ends with a final project. Time commitment depends on the programme length, from 300 to 1,900 hours. Ask about instalment payments and employer sponsorship to help manage costs.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Assess unconventional water resources within water resource planning.
Design reverse osmosis desalination systems.
Select appropriate pretreatment and post-treatment processes.
Manage brine discharge while minimising environmental impacts.
Design water reclamation systems in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2020/741.
Reduce the energy consumption and carbon footprint of produced water.
Analyse the economics and governance of new water sources.
Who it's for
- Desalination process engineers seeking deeper expertise in unconventional water engineering.
- Desalination plant managers looking to broaden their technical and management skills.
- Water reuse engineers working on reclamation schemes.
- Water resources consultants advising on alternative supply options.
- Environmental technicians dealing with marine discharges.
- Water treatment project engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the water and sanitation sector.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 2020/741 (minimum requirements for water reuse)
- Royal Decree 1085/2024 (Spanish water reuse regulation)
- Royal Decree 3/2023 (Spanish drinking water quality, control and supply)
- Directive (EU) 2020/2184 (quality of water intended for human consumption)
- Law 21/2013 (Spanish environmental impact assessment)
- Royal Decree 849/1986 (Spanish Public Water Domain Regulation)
- UNE-EN 16941-1:2018 (on-site non-potable water systems – rainwater)
- ISO 20670:2018 (water reuse – vocabulary)
- WAVE
- IMSDesign
- CORMIX
- MATLAB
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Water scarcity and water stress in the Mediterranean1.2Desalination, reuse and other sources1.3Hydrological planning and alternative resources1.4Comparative costs by water source1.5The energy–water balance1.6Social acceptance of reclaimed water1.7European and Spanish regulatory framework1.8Experience in Israel, Singapore and Australia1.9Climate change and security of supply1.10Case study: resource portfolio for a water-deficit basin
2.1Principles of reverse osmosis2.2Chemistry of seawater and brackish water2.3Polyamide membranes and modules2.4Design of racks and stages2.5Energy recovery with pressure exchangers2.6Specific energy consumption2.7Fouling and scaling2.8CIP chemical cleaning2.9Membrane design software2.10Lab: designing a rack with WAVE
3.1Open intakes and beach wells3.2Physico-chemical pretreatment with coagulation3.3Granular media filtration3.4Ultrafiltration as pretreatment3.5DAF flotation during red tides3.6SDI and MFI indices3.7Antiscalant dosing3.8Biofouling and its control3.9Design of subsea intakes3.10Practical exercise: selecting the pretreatment for a seawater desalination plant (SWRO)
4.1Remineralisation with calcite and CO24.2Boron removal in desalination4.3Disinfection of product water4.4Corrosivity and scaling indices4.5Brine discharge to sea4.6Design of brine diffusers4.7Impact on Posidonia seagrass meadows4.8Modelling of hypersaline plumes4.9Brine valorisation and mining4.10Case study: brine discharge from a desalination plant
5.1Electrodialysis reversal (EDR)5.2Multi-effect distillation (MED)5.3Multi-stage flash distillation (MSF)5.4Membrane distillation5.5Forward osmosis and its applications5.6Capacitive deionisation for brackish water5.7Small-scale solar desalination5.8Hybrid systems and zero liquid discharge5.9Selecting the desalination technology5.10Lab: balance of an EDR system for brackish water
6.1Requirements of Regulation (EU) 2020/7416.2Royal Decree 1085/2024 and its uses6.3Quality requirements by use6.4Reclamation treatment trains6.5Risk management for reclaimed water6.6Indirect and direct potable reuse6.7Reuse for agricultural irrigation6.8Industrial and urban reuse6.9Artificial aquifer recharge6.10Practical exercise: risk management for a water reuse system
7.1Large-scale rainwater harvesting7.2Greywater recycling in buildings7.3Fog collectors7.4Dew condensation7.5Managed aquifer recharge (MAR)7.6Use of inland brackish waters7.7Mine drainage water7.8Atmospheric water generators7.9Feasibility assessment by source7.10Workshop: greywater system for a hotel
8.1Energy consumption by technology8.2Integration of renewables in desalination plants8.3Carbon footprint of produced water8.4Desalination as a flexible grid load8.5Life-cycle assessment of desalination plants8.6Resource recovery in desalination8.7The water–energy–food nexus8.8Water for green hydrogen production8.9Plant sustainability indicators8.10Case study: PV-powered desalination plant
9.1Phases of a desalination plant project9.2Basic and detailed engineering9.3Corrosion-resistant materials9.4Civil works for intake and outfall9.5High-pressure equipment9.6Testing and commissioning9.7EPC and DBO contracts9.8Construction planning and schedules9.9Technical and environmental risks9.10Lab: budget for a 50,000 m³/day seawater desalination plant
10.1Control and automation of desalination plants10.2Membrane performance monitoring10.3Normalisation of operating data10.4Scheduling chemical cleanings10.5Membrane replacement and service life10.6Product water quality control10.7Chemical safety in the plant10.8Data-driven predictive maintenance10.9Operating cost structure10.10Practical exercise: normalising data from a real plant
11.1Levelised cost of water11.2Water tariffs and cost recovery11.3Concessions and public–private partnerships11.4Financing water infrastructure11.5Water rights markets and exchanges11.6Regulation and river basin authorities11.7Public acceptance of reclaimed water11.8Communicating water projects11.9Integrated resource planning11.10Case study: desalination in the Campo de Cartagena
12.1Diagnosis of the water deficit12.2Selection of alternative sources12.3Treatment process design12.4Sizing of the main equipment12.5Management of rejects and discharges12.6Energy balance and carbon footprint12.7Economic analysis of the produced water12.8Environmental and social assessment12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
The programme is delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is WAVE, IMSDesign, CORMIX and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: reverse osmosis system design with manufacturers' software, brine discharge modelling and normalisation of plant operating data. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Regulation (EU) 2020/741, Royal Decree 1085/2024, Royal Decree 3/2023, Directive (EU) 2020/2184, Law 21/2013, Royal Decree 849/1986, UNE-EN 16941-1:2018, ISO 20670:2018.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with WAVE, IMSDesign, CORMIX and MATLAB, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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