Application and Admission from 2026 onwards
For this degree program, proof of special aptitude must be provided in accordance with the Regulations for determining the suitability for CMS. Therefore, the aptitude assessment is prior to the actual enrollment.
We cannot confirm your eligibility or offer any counseling ahead of your application. Admission is decided by a central admission committee based on officially submitted documents only. However, if you are in doubt, you can still apply and let the admission committee assess your eligibility.
Aptitude Assessment Procedure
Scholarships
Requirements for Admission
The following requirements for admission are applicable as stated in the Regulations for determining the suitability for CMS:
- First university degree qualifying for professional activity in Computer Science, Mathematics, Natural Science, Economics/Finance, or Engineering (BSc or higher, including MSc, German "Diplom", BSc [Hons], etc.)
- Knowledge of English corresponding to at least level B2 of the European Frame of Reference for Language (according to the Regulations for determining the suitability for CMS, paragraph 4 (2) 7)
- Proficiency in computer programming in (at least one) compiled programming language
- Calculus of functions in one and multiple variables (partial derivatives, integrals, etc.)
- Basics of linear algebra (matrix and vector operations, matrix inversion, decomposition)
- Basics of probability (distributions, elementary probabilities, axioms)
- Basics of algorithms and data structures (arrays, lists, search and sorting, complexity)
- BSc-level knowledge in the application domain of the elected track
The CMS programme focuses on teaching the computer science and mathematics foundations of modelling and simulation and assumes familiarity with the above basic concepts of the respective disciplines. Lectures completed on one or several of the following topics would be helpful, but not strictly required:
- Parallel Programming / High-Performance Computing
- Numerical Methods / Numerical Algorithms / Numerical Analysis
- Stochastics / Probability / Stochastic Algorithms
- Data Visualisation / Information Visualisation / Scientific Visualisation
- Statistics / Experimental Design / Inference Methods
- Theoretical Computer Science / Formal Languages / Complexity and Computability
- Logical Deduction / Intelligent Agents / Knowledge Systems
- Software Engineering / Design Patterns / Scientific Code Development
- Database Management / Relational Data Models / Big Data Platforms
- Machine Learning / Data Mining / Computational Statistics
How to Apply
FAQ - Application Master Computational Modeling and Simulation
The application process consists of two steps:
Step 1. Application for this program
- Applicants with a non-German university degree register with uni-assist and upload the requested documents.
Important:
The ID for the aptitude submission (step 2) must also be entered into the uni-assist application.
The confirmation email (step 2) must be uploaded as PDF version to uni-assist. - Applicants with a German university degree and a German High School Diploma ("Abitur") register via the selma application portal of TU Dresden and submit the requested documents via the CMS aptitude assessment portal.
- Applicants with a German university degree (at least 80 % completed) and a Non-German High School Diploma / Applicants for an internal change of the study program register via the selma application portal of TU Dresden, and submit the requested documents via the CMS aptitude assessment portal and send the complete set of application documents via mail to the TU Dresden, International Office, Helmholtzstraße 10, 01069 Dresden.
Step 2. Application for the aptitude assessment (ALL applicants)
All applicants apply to the Computational Modeling and Simulation Admission Committee via the CMS aptitude assessment portal.
Important: After completing and submitting the form, applicants will receive a confirmation email which contains the ID for the aptitude submission. This email must be submitted along with the application documents.
Application Time Windows
- For (prospective) degree holders from non-German institutions of higher education
1 April - 31 May: non-EU-nationals
1 April - 15 July: German or EU-nationals
- For all other applicants
1 June - 15 July: (prospective) graduates from TU Dresden or other German institutions of higher education
Application Portals
All applicants will find the right application portal for the CMS program if they answer all three questions on this website correctly.
| Nationality | Degree from | Apply to |
| All | any institution of higher education | CMS aptitude assessment portal (The portal will open on 1st April), step 1 |
| All | non-German institutions of higher education | uni-assist, step 2 |
| All | any German institutions of higher education | TUD Portal selma, step 2 |
Application Documents
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
- CMS application for aptitude assessment for the Master's degree program. Please start this online application via the CMS portal for aptitude assessment. The portal will ask you to create an account first. Once you have completed the process, you must save the confirmation email,
- signed SELMA application form (it concerns only applicants with a German degree),
- Curriculum Vitae, in particular describing your academic career to date,
- Motivation letter (informal), which provides evidence of your desire to study and your particular aptitude,
- Graduated Record Examination (optional)
GRE Test is not requqired but will be positively considered if submitted, - Copy of the first professionally qualifying university degree certificate or confirmation from the responsible office at your university that at least 80 % of the credit points required for the university degree have been achieved (so-called 80 % certificate),
- Copies of additional certificates and evidence proving special suitability,
- Official module / course descriptions (or comparable content overviews) of the modules relevant to the Master's degree program in Computational Modeling and Simulation (unless you have completed your degree in one of the Bachelor's degree programs at the Faculty of Computer Science of TU Dresden).
Please submit the full text of your university's official module handbook for your Bachelor's degree. Also provide a document containing a web URL (or a set of web URLs) pointing to the original documents on your university's web site for verification.
If you cannot provide links to the module descriptions because they are not available on the university's website you can put together yourself a module handbook with detailed descriptions for all your courses. You must have this document confirmed by your university with an official stamp and a signature, as it will otherwise not be accepted by the admissions committee. In any case, an unofficial English translation must be included. - Proof of the required English language skills at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) based on the result of an internationally offered test, according to Regulations for determining the suitability for CMS paragraph 4 (2) 7. These include
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the previous course of study is/was completely in English (e.g., by specifying the language of instruction as “Medium of Instruction,” MOI) and in a country of the European Union, Australia, UK, Ireland, Canada (except Quebec and New Brunswick), New Zealand, the USA, Hong Kong, or Singapore, or
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the TOEFL test has been passed with a minimum score of 550/213/80 (written/computer-based/internet-based) / tests from January 2026 with a minimum score of 4.5, or
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the IELTS test has been passed with a minimum level of 6.0, or
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the Cambridge English test (e.g., CAE or FCE) has been passed with demonstrated ability at least at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), or
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the Pearson PTE Academic test has been passed with a minimum score of 60 points or
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the UNIcert test has been passed with at least Level II, or
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the required English level (B 2) according to the CEFR is demonstrated in the general or subject-specific university entrance qualification certificate ( e. g. German Abitur certificate), or
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a language certificate proving the relevant English language training as part of the previous university studies (will be finally evaluated by the admission committee).
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Students of some countries must submit the original APS certificate to uni-assist.
A simple copy of the original documents and the corresponding official translation into German or English is sufficient (including higher secondary school certificate, „Abiturzeugnis“).
Aptitude Assessment Procedure
The Admission Committee will evaluate applications (Aptitude Assesssment Procedure). Afterwards, the applicants will be notified of the acceptance or rejection of the application by email by the end of July / mid of August. Additionally, international students will receive an email from the TUD International Office informing them on the availability of the official admission letter ("Zulassungsbescheid"). This letter can be downloaded from the selma application portal of TUD and is important for the student visa application to the German Embassy in the student's home country.
Scholarships
In addition to their application for admission to the tracks Computational Life Science or Applied Artificial Intelligence, eligible students can apply for a scholarship of the DAAD Zuse School of Excellence in AI SECAI to support their studies.
Further information about eligibility criteria, the application process, selection criteria, and deadlines are available on the SECAI website about scholarships.