For ten years, the Division of Applied Science, University of Paderborn, has gained experience with a four-year undergraduate environmental engineering programme. Up to now, more than 400 graduates have successfully entered a professional career, proving that the educational concept is accepted by the employment sector, e.g. consultants, industry and authorities. Important aspects of this concept are the combination of civil engineering - as a core engineering field - with natural environmental sciences in the basic studies, the coverage of all environmental compartments in the main studies before specialisation in one area, and a strong practical component of the curriculum both inside and outside the university.