What is it all about?

In the bachelor’s degree program in Environmental Engineering, you’ll work at the intersection of technology, the environment and society. This engineering program combines the fundamentals of the natural sciences, technology, and data processing with economic and legal aspects. It is designed to equip you with the skills to develop solutions to current environmental and sustainability issues.

During your studies, you will learn the fundamentals and methods of the natural sciences, engineering, and environmental studies. You will learn to analyze complex environmental problems holistically and to design sustainable technical solutions. Your solutions will also take into account the ecological, social, economic and legal dimensions of the problem.

The degree program has a modular structure. In addition to gaining a solid foundation in the subject matter, you’ll strengthen your skills in teamwork, communication, and interdisciplinary work. This will ensure you’re well-prepared for a wide range of career paths, such as in water and waste management, environmental and natural hazard management, and sustainable urban and infrastructure planning.

Program structure

During your studies, you have various subjects, which consist of one or more modules. A module deals with a specific topic and consists of one or more courses. In the module handbook for your degree program, you will find a description of the modules and their subject assignment as well as a study plan. This gives you an orientation as to which courses you should attend in which semester in order to complete your studies within the standard period of study. It takes into account a balanced distribution of courses over the individual semesters. It also ensures that you are first taught the important basics before moving on to more advanced topics. Your individual course of study may differ from this.

• Fundamentals of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (51 CP): This course covers the essential scientific knowledge required for environmental engineers, such as calculus and linear algebra, differential equations, experimental physics, inorganic chemistry, and biology.
• Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering (54 CP): here, you'll delve into environmental and engineering-related topics such as geoecology and climatology, the fundamentals of water resources engineering, fluid mechanics, and soil mechanics
• Data Processing and Geoinformation (16 CP): the basics of programming, statistics, data analysis, and geoinformation are essential for environmental engineering. Here, you’ll learn about them.
• Law, Planning, Economics (17 CP): Environmental Engineering always involves planning, legal, and economic aspects. Therefore, in this degree programm, you will learn the fundamentals of German and European public law, environmental law, and the basics of planning and managing construction projects.

You can choose a specialization within the specialization Environmental Engineering (24 CP). You will select 2 modules, each worth 12 CP. The following options are available:

• Water Management Specialization
• Environmental Quality Specialization
• Natural Hazards and Risk Specialization
• Geoecology Specialization
• Urban Environment Specialization
• Circular Economy Specialization

The program also includes the acquisition of Interdisciplinary Qualifications (6 CP): here, you can choose four credit points relatively freely based on your interests and enhance your skills, for example, from the course offerings of the House of Competence (HoC), the Language Center (SpZ) or the interdisciplinary offerings of FORUM. The course "Ethical and Social Responsibility in Environmental Engineering" (2 CP) is required.

Internship (voluntary)

You are not required to complete a professional internship as part of the bachelor’s program. In general, however, it is strongly recommended that you complete an internship to gain practical experience. An internship can be completed at organizations or companies in the field of environmental engineering. It makes sense to schedule this voluntary internship during the second half of your studies. For a voluntary, subject-related internship, you can also apply for a semester off (leave of absence) if the internship is of sufficient duration (see "practical work").

Stays abroad

KIT offers a wide range of options for stays abroad, from individual courses to a year abroad overseas. If you are interested in a longer stay abroad, it is advisable to contact the International Students Office or the KIT Department of Civil Engineering, Geo and Environmental Sciences directly to find out about outgoing options at an early stage.

Bachelor's thesis

At the end of your bachelor’s program, you will complete your bachelor’s thesis, an academic paper that allows you to apply and deepen the knowledge and skills you have acquired. It usually deals with a specific topic in your field of study and requires independent research, analysis and writing. The bachelor's thesis takes three months to complete. The bachelor’s thesis also includes a presentation of your findings in the form of a presentation.

After completing your degree, a wide range of career paths will be open to you, such as in water and waste management, environmental analysis, environmental monitoring, companies specializing in protection against natural hazards, and sustainable urban and infrastructure planning. In your day-to-day work, you’ll develop technical solutions to current environmental issues and integrate ecological, social, economic and legal considerations. In doing so, you’ll not only apply technical expertise but also use the skills you've acquired to take a holistic view of ecological, social, economic and technical interrelationships. This will allow you to work independently on interdisciplinary projects and actively contribute to a sustainable future through your work.

Typical employers include engineering firms, government agencies, industrial companies, and municipal utility and waste management companies. Opportunities are also available in sustainable urban and infrastructure planning, particularly in the areas of climate adaptation or international development cooperation.

Similarly, after successfully completing your bachelor’s degree, you can go on to pursue the consecutive master’s program in Environmental Engineering (expected to start in the winter term 2028) or a master’s program in a related field. 

Characteristic features of Environmental Engineering B.Sc. at KIT

• a solid foundation in mathematics and physics is, of course, required (however, any gaps in basic knowledge can be addressed at the MINT-Kolleg if necessary)
  
• Orientation Week at the start of your studies
• involvement of students in research projects across various disciplines
  
• program-specific study abroad programs
  
• support for academic planning provided by academic advisors and the Student Advisory Services

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• orientation week before the start of lectures
  
• 24-hour library offering single and group working places
  
• wide range of inexpensive catering options (dining hall, cafeteria, Koeri and Pizzawerk)
  
• numerous interdisciplinary offers for personal and professional development, e.g. Lernlabor, Schreiblabor and Perspektivenlabor
  
• study abroad, e.g. via Erasmus
  
• excellent university sports facilities with a large selection of sports
  
• comprehensive cultural offerings with university orchestras, choirs and theater groups
  
• extensive support for career entry and self-employment
  
• Lernraum app
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network

Higher education entrance qualification (HZB)

Germans and persons of equal status to Germans (i.e. EU/EEA nationals and non-EU/EEA nationals with a German higher education entrance qualification) are entitled to study at KIT if they have one of the following qualifications:

1. General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur)
2. (relevant) subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification (not Fachhochschulreife)
3. Delta examination of the University of Mannheim (for holders of a Fachhochschulreife)
4. recognized advanced vocational training (e.g. master craftsperson) or vocational training, professional experience and aptitude test for those with professional qualifications

For further options, see §58 of the "Landeshochschulgesetz" (State Higher Education Act).

Please note: German nationals with a foreign school-leaving qualification must have the relevant "Regierungspräsidium" (regional authority) certify that their qualification is equivalent to the German Abitur.

For non-EU/EEA nationals with a foreign school-leaving certificate (hereinafter also referred to simply as non-EU/EEA nationals), the school-leaving certificate from some countries is recognized as a direct university entrance qualification in Germany. In many cases, however, in addition to the school-leaving certificate, a university entrance examination and/or a successful year of study in the home country and/or the "Feststellungsprüfung" must be proven with valid documents in order to be allowed to study a bachelor's degree in Germany. You can find the country-specific regulations in the DAAD admissions database or on the Anabin website (in German only) of the "Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen" (Central Office for Foreign Education). Further information is available from the International Students Office.

Language requirements and certificates

For the bachelor's degree program in Environmental Engineering, you must have sufficient knowledge of the German language. Your German language skills must be at least at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Important: you must provide proof of the required language skills regardless of your citizenship and by the end of the enrollment period at the latest, but preferably at the time of application.

In what form do I have to provide the language certificates? Please read the following chapters on this website carefully. If you have any further questions, please contact

• Students Office if you are applying as a German national or a person with German equivalent status
• the International Students Office if you are a non-EU national

Proof of sufficient German language skills

As proof of your German language skills, your higher education or master's entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur, university degree or a professional qualification that entitles you to study) is sufficient if you have acquired it at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction.

In concrete terms, this means that you do not have to submit additional proof of German if you

• have obtained your Abitur at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad,
• are a graduate of a bilingual secondary school in Germany or abroad and have passed a bilingual German examination, such as the AbiBac or the Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureat (GIB) or
• you graduated from a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country regarding the recognition of your school-leaving certificate or language certificate as proof of language proficiency for university studies in Germany.

A complete list of foreign school-leaving qualifications and language certificates that are recognized as proof of sufficient German language skills can be found on the website of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Laender (KMK) in the Federal Republic of Germany.

If you have already completed a German-language degree at a German university, this can also count as proof of German language proficiency - but only if the diploma supplement, transcript of records or degree certificate clearly states that German was the sole language of instruction and examination.

If, on the other hand, you did not obtain your higher education or master's entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction, you must provide proof of German language proficiency at least at DSH-2 level. This corresponds to CEFR level C1.

Only the following certificates are accepted in accordance with the KIT admission and enrollment regulations:

• passed German section of the Feststellungspruefung (assessment test)
• passed German language test for university admission (DSH) with overall result DSH-2
• passed Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF) with level 4 in all four parts of the exam
• German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs - second level (DSD II)
• Goethe certificate C1 or higher
• passed telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule exam
• Austrian Language Diploma C1 or higher

Note: The above-mentioned tests are accepted as proof of language proficiency for an unlimited period of time, even if the provider specifies an expiration date.

What if I cannot provide suitable C1 proof of German at the time of application?

If you are unable to provide any of the C1 certificates listed above demonstrating your German language skills by the application deadline, you may still be admitted if you can provisionally demonstrate at least B1 language proficiency. Proof of B1 level is provided by a recognized language certificate or other certification from a language or other educational institution that clearly shows that B1 level has been achieved.

But please don't forget: you still have to submit the C1 certificate by the end of your enrollment period at the latest, which is stated in your admission letter.

Therefore, check early on whether you can provide the necessary language certificates by the deadline and, if necessary, plan to take a recognized language test.

In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of the enrollment deadline to provide proof of your language skills, but this extensvion can only be granted up to the day before the start of the lecture period. Please contact the Student Office or the International Students Office - depending on who is named as your point of contact in your letter of admission.

Additional necessary requirements for enrollment

For Germans and those with German equivalent status, an additional necessary requirement for enrollment is proof of participation in a study orientation test (e.g. www.was-studiere-ich.de) or a study orientation consultation in accordance with §7 of the "Landeshochschulgesetz" (State Higher Education Act), e.g. by the Student Advisory Service (ZSB) of KIT. Non-EU/EEA nationals do not have to provide this proof.

• all year round Information events of the Student Advisory Service (ZSB) on your desired degree programs, application and admission as well as starting your studies
• Try out KIT - clarify your interests and support your study decision by taking advantage of the diverse summer offers or participating in taster lectures.
• Campus Day: experience the campus live (together with your family) in spring and make your first personal contacts with the departments and their students
• Studieninformationstag: visit KIT on the state-wide study information day in November and experience the lecture hall feeling for the first time
• topMINT: you don't know yet what you want to study and need to bridge the summer? Take advantage of our orientation semester before you start your studies.
• Use our central online portal studienstart.kit.edu with all the important information and services you need to prepare for your studies and your first semester at KIT. Be it preparatory courses, study-related courses or mentoring programs.
• Orientation phase before the start of lectures - from students for students to get to know KIT, your fellow students and your student council. You will receive specific information on this when you enrol.
• You will be welcomed by KIT with a colorful supporting program at the welcome event for first semester students. You will receive the invitation after your enrollment.

Weitere Ansprechpersonen:

• KIT-Fakultät für Bauingenieur-, Geo- und Umweltwissenschaften
• Fachstudienberatung
• Prüfungsausschuss
• Informationen zum Auslandsstudium
• Fachschaft Bauingenieurwesen

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