Frequently Asked Questions
We receive many questions before and during the application and admission procedures. Here we are going to answer those whiche appear frequently.
The requirements for the International Master's Degree Program in Distributed Systems Engineering include a bachelor's degree in computer science. However, bachelor degrees vary all over the world and many times degrees are similar but not the same.
The International Master's Degree Program in Distributed Systems Engineering is a research-oriented master's degree program. Thus, we require a strong background not only in practical IT knowledge but especially in terms of scientific foundations and concepts of databases, networks, and applications that make use of them. If you didn't have these topics as part of your studies, you will most likely struggle during the master's program in DSE. Hence, sole practical knowledge is often insufficient to manage DSE. However, if you can demonstrate that you have also a deep understanding of these foundations you should be qualified for DSE as well.
Hence, bachelor degrees from close fields, such as electrical engineering, information & communication technologies etc. may also be accepted but only if your studies had a strong focus on computer science. The decision is up to the admissions committee.
According to the updated study regulations from 2020 an English language proficiency of CEFR C1 is required. If you are using TOEFL or IELTS as a language test, then the following results are sufficient to clearly demonstrate the required language level: for TOEFL iBT a total score of 94; for IELTS a band score of at least 7.
Please note that also other proofs of language proficiency might be accepted, especially those that show your language proficiency as CEFR level.
The International Master's Degree Program in Distributed Systems Engineering requires your English language proficiency to be equivalent to or better than C1 according to Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Universities within the territories of the European Union usually classify their language courses according to CEFR, hence, applicants with a bachelor's degree from within the European Union can prove their English language proficiency using their degree certificates, diploma supplements or with their transcripts of records along with the respective module descriptions.
Many universities outside European Union use English as the medium of instruction but do not make any statements regarding the level of English language proficiency on transcripts of records or degree certificates. The sole statement that English was used as the medium of instruction is hence insufficient, as the study regulations require the CEFR level C1. If your university doesn't provide certificates indicating the CEFR level you must prove your English language proficiency using a well-known English language test, such as TOEFL iBT or IELTS. These two tests are used by more than 95% of the applicants for this degree program.
The International Master's Degree Program in Distributed Systems Engineering starts with an aptitude assessment in order to prove that you fulfil all the requirements according to our study regulations. The final decision is always up to the admissions committee which will evaluate aptitude assessments during the application phase. For legal reasons an informal evaluation cannot be done. Moreover, the academic advidsory services for DSE are not authorized to make any statements about egligibility.
The aptitude assessment for the International Master's Degree Program in Distributed Systems Engineering is solely based on your degree certificates, transcripts of records, language certificates, module or curriculum descriptions. There are no further tests.
To register for the aptitude assessment please move to our application portal which is only activated from April 1 to August 31 every year.
The aptitude assessment for the International Master's Degree Program in Distributed Systems Engineering is solely based on your degree certificates, transcripts of records, language certificates, module or curriculum descriptions. There are no further tests.
To register for the aptitude assessment please move to our application portal which is only activated from April 1 to August 31 every year.
The International Master's Degree Program in Distributed Systems Engineering can be pursued in cooperation with our partner universities. In order to apply for the double-degree program you must be already enrolled in a master's program either at TU Dresden (in DSE) or at our partner university.
At the moment of reading this, you are most likely not a student of TU Dresden. If you are already enrolled at our partner universities, please contact your program coordinator to assist you with the double-degree program procedures. In order to actually apply, please follow our instructions. If you're uncertain, please get in contact with us before you apply!
The International Master's Degree Program in Distributed Systems Engineering starts every fall, i.e. on October 1, which is the official start of the winter term. For organizational and legal reasons you cannot apply for the first semester in summer term as we do not offer the mandatory modules of the first semester in the summer term.
Occasionally German embassies require a contact person or reference person even for student visas. We do not have a real contact person for this purpose but you may name the degree program coordinator there.