The School of Engineering of the University of Cantabria and IH Cantabria have been working for many years in the field of Environmental Hydraulics applied to Education. The professors at IH Cantabria are considered experts both nationally and internationally in the ecological evaluation, diagnosis and surveillance of aquatic systems and in the study of harbour infrastructure viability. IH Cantabria's expertise is also widely recognized in the fields of wetland restoration, beach nourishment (restoration and regeneration), outfall design, hydrodynamic modeling and studies pertaining to coastal zone dynamics. IH Cantabria has also participated actively in numerous projects acting upon the coast and other water systems from European, Latin American, African and Asian countries.

The Graduate programs offered by the University of Cantabria and IH Cantabria have received ever since 2003 the highest possible merit in education conferred by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science, known as "Mención de Calidad". This distinction has been granted every year since then.

The Latin American University Graduate Association (AUIP) has also granted this program with its highest award, describing it as the best program in the field of Applied Sciences in Latin America.