Doctoral studies

General information

Every doctoral candidate is free to enrol for a limited period of time in accordance with § 16 of the Matriculation Regulations for the period of writing a doctoral thesis. Upon enrolment, you acquire the status of a doctoral student and are obliged to re-register for each semester by transferring the semester fee.

Please note that enrolment is voluntary and is not a prerequisite for doctoral studies. Enrolment only takes place if the applicant has been formally admitted to doctoral studies in accordance with the relevant doctoral regulations and has been included in the faculty's doctoral student list as a doctoral student.

Advantages of enrolment as a doctoral student:r

Periods of study (including doctoral studies) count towards your pension, where proof is provided via the certificate of enrolment.
With the inexpensive Deutschlandticket (currently €29.40 instead of €49.00/month; from WS 2025/26 € 34,80 instead € 58,00/month) you can travel throughout Germany. This can also significantly reduce the cost of attending academic conferences, exchange meetings or research stays outside the university campus, for example.
Discounted use of MOBIbike
By using the services of the Studentenwerk, you benefit from reduced meal prices in canteens and cafeterias, social and cultural offers, counseling services and childcare services as well as reduced admission to student clubs. The social counseling service is also available to you.
You will receive reduced admission fees and discounts at many institutions (theaters, concerts, cinemas, museums, exhibitions, operas, etc.) that offer discounts for students as well as cheaper subscriptions to newspapers or certain software.
You can take advantage of the wide range of sports offered by the Dresden University Sports Center for students.
Only properly enrolled (doctoral) students (and doctoral university employees with an employment contract at TU Dresden) are fully insured by the University against accidents in connection with their work at TU Dresden. In order to enjoy the same insurance cover as students or employees as a doctoral candidate, it is therefore essential that you enrol as a doctoral student.
You are also welcome to take advantage of the services offered by Student Health Management.

Deadlines for applying for enrolment

The application for enrollment as a doctoral student is subject to certain deadlines and must be applied for formally (online). Confirmation of acceptance as a doctoral student (letter from the doctoral committee) is required.

Application deadlines

for studies starting in the winter semester :
June 1 to September 15 (grace period: December 15)

for studies starting in the summer semester:
December 1 to March 15 (grace period: June 15)

Extension of student status in the doctoral program

Please note that enrollment in the doctoral program is limited to 8 semesters (regardless of leaves of absence) in accordance with § 16 para. 3 of the TU Dresden enrollment regulations. If your doctoral project is not completed after this period, you can apply for a temporary extension at the Admissions Office with a statement from the responsible supervising university lecturer and the doctoral committee.
for extension of doctoral studies
for online completion
(to be submitted to Ms. Woditschka at the Doctoral Examinations Office)

Path to the application portal

Under the following link you will find information on the online application and the application portal:

https://tu-dresden.de/studium/vor-dem-studium/bewerbung/online-bewerbung

Further information and contact persons can be found at

https://tu-dresden.de/studium/vor-dem-studium/studienangebot/promotionsstudium