IWRM Program FAQs

The MSc in Integrated Water Resources Management Water accepts candidates from a range of backgrounds, including for example: economics, geography, natural resources, environmental sciences, engineering, politics, law and humanities. The nature of water resources has evolved and requires access to a wide set of aspects and methods to accommodate a growing multidisciplinary, as well as a more holistic and adaptive approach. The multi-disciplinary nature of the IWRM program means that some aspects of the course may be more challenging than others, depending on a student’s background and experience. In order to accommodate different professional interests and future career aspirations, we provide four (4) ‘500 level or higher’ elective courses during the first two terms of the program that are relevant to the field of water resources management.

Note that students have been admitted into the program with undergraduate degrees in geography, international development studies, sociology, anthropology, mathematics, environmental studies, biology, natural resources management, and engineering, among others.

The key criteria for selection are:

1. Academic excellence; Candidates are required to have a minimum equivalent cumulative grade point average of 3.0/4.0 or 3.2/4.0 during the last two years of full time university study.
2. A demonstrated interest in water, through one or more of previous work, education, volunteer activities, or other interests, and a convincing personal statement submitted with the application.

To register for a course or program at McGill University, you will be required to prove the standard of your written and spoken English language abilities. If you do not already have suitable qualifications, please see below information on the test scores accepted by McGill University:

• If required, test scores must be less than 2 years old and received directly from the testing agency.
• For the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), you must indicate the McGill University institution code: 0935.

Educational Testing Services Inc. cannot report on TOEFL results, which are more than TWO years old.

The aim of the course is to train future decision makers, managers, policy makers, engineers and scientists in water management. Thus the course is aimed at providing a broad range of skills and knowledge that will enable graduates to ask informed questions of any expert (e.g. hydrologist, economist, or lawyer) who may be informing their management decisions. Past graduates have gone on to obtain positions in a range of water-related jobs. A significant number of students use the course as a launch pad for a PhD degree.

McGill's MSc in IWRM program prepares you for a wide range of positions in government, research, private firms, NGOs or consulting anywhere in the world. By the time you graduate, you will be familiar with the various controlling aspects of integrated water resources management such as economics, social and environmental sciences, and engineering. See the Alumni Page for more details.

As a graduate from this program, you will be well suited for opportunities in diverse fields of employment, such as:

• Engineering, environmental and water consultancies
• Municipal, provincial, federal and international government organizations
• NGOs and international development organizations
• Government or university research institutions
• Public policy organizations
• Detailed List on the Alumni Page

Graduates of the program have also proceeded to law school, medical school, MBA programs and PhD programs at McGill and elsewhere around the world.