As a GroundwatCh student you start the academic year at ULisboa IST in September, where during the first semester you start with the QGIS introductory (certified) course, followed by the mandatory courses addressing core competences in thematic areas A-D, and electives in E-F (see https://www.groundwatermaster.eu/about), totalling (at least) 30 ECTS (as you are free to select more electives). In February, still in Portugal, you will take preparatory training in interdisciplinary science and fieldwork to prepare for the Interdisciplinary project taking place at IHE Delft in the second semester. At the end of February, you move to IHE Delft, where you acquire (at least) 30 ECTS in the second semester, taking mandatory and elective courses within all thematic areas. Among the electives you can opt for an ECTS-credited internship at any of the associated partners (APs). Following conclusion of the second semester at the end of July, you can continue your internship if desired, or have a summer break before moving to TU Dresden mid-September, where you start your third semester with summer school courses and a thematic seminar. Subsequently, you obtain training (at least 30 ECTS) in thematic areas A, C and F, through compulsory courses in climate modelling and groundwater-soil-land-climate feed-back mechanisms, as well as a study project and electives which can also cover the other thematic areas.

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In the fourth semester, starting in March of the second academic year, you will begin your thesis study (30 ECTS). You will be registered at the partner university to which you were assigned at the start of the programme. There are also opportunities to work with Associated Partners.