First semester introduction 2026
Welcome to the School of Mechanical Engineering, Material Science, and Process and Natural Products Engineering at TU Dresden! We are delighted that you plan to study with us starting in the 2026/27 winter semester. Here, you can look forward to an exciting and varied degree program that will prepare you for a future in the engineering industry.
To help you get off to the best possible start in your studies and student life, we organize the First-Semester Orientation Week every year. It will take place from October 3 to 10. It begins one week before classes start and offers a variety of events to support you as you begin your studies. On the one hand, we’ll provide you with important information about how the program is organized and show you around campus. On the other hand, you’ll have the chance to get to know your future classmates and the city of Dresden.
Already on Saturday, October 3, 2026 —before the orientation week begins—we invite you to a cozy game night.
If you have any questions, just send us an email or browse our website. We look forward to seeing you!
SEMINAR GROUP REGISTRATION
To participate in courses , you must register for a seminar group.
You can access the seminar group registration via the following link.
PROCEDURE (as of June 2026)
Your first-semester orientation week really kicks off on Monday with UNI Kompakt. There, you’ll receive all the important organizational information about your studies at TU Dresden. Afterward, we invite you to a group picnic with speed-friending —the perfect opportunity to get to know your fellow students and make your first connections.
On Tuesday, we’ll explore Dresden together on a city tour, showing all newcomers in particular the city’s most beautiful and important sights. In the evening, the Studiclub Tour will give you the chance to get to know Dresden’s student clubs.
Wednesday is all about the Mechanical Engineering Rally. Working together in teams, you’ll solve exciting challenges and, in the process, get to know not only your fellow students but also Dresden and the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering in a fun way.
On Thursday, the TU Dresden’s official enrollment ceremony takes place. In the evening, we’ll wrap up the day with a pub crawl through Dresden’s Neustadt district.
Friday begins with the mandatory information session for graduate students, followed by the Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering’s welcome event, which is also mandatory. Afterward, we’ll explore your future study and work environments on a campus tour. The week wraps up with a group barbecue and the distribution of the freshman goodie bags.
To wrap up the ESE, we’re offering a group hike to Saxon Switzerland on Saturday —a great opportunity to get to know the region and end the week in a relaxed atmosphere.
MANDATORY EVENTS
Welcome Event
Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location:ZEU/LICH/H
Information Session for Graduate Students
Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
Time: 9:20 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.
Location: ZEU/250/Z
Orientation Session for the Mechanical Engineering distance learning program for
- Bachelor’s Program in Mechanical Engineering (distance learning)
- Postgraduate Diploma Program in Mechanical Engineering (distance learning)
Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: ZOOM
Join the Zoom meeting
https://tu-dresden.zoom-x.de/j/65938313860?pwd=m2GjbaNQ0dm6nJe1ycbAQ8zck5SnSw.1
- Meeting ID: 659 3831 3860
Passcode: 3w87?uLF
EVENTS
Registration
For planning purposes, you must register in advance for some events.
If you’ve missed the registration deadline, please contact us by email.
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Meeting place: ZEU/250
Have you already arrived in Dresden the weekend before ESE and can’t wait to meet your new classmates?
Then you’re cordially invited to our game night and karaoke on October 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Come get to know each other in a relaxed atmosphere over a drink and spend an evening with us filled with new and interesting people.
We’ve already gathered a few board games and snacks for you, but you’re also welcome to bring your own games or snacks.
The drinks we’ll be serving that evening will be non-alcoholic. Please remember to bring a little cash with you.
You’re also welcome to buy a drink from us—just make sure to bring a little cash.
We’ll announce the exact venue at a later date.
We look forward to seeing you!
Your FSR MW
Date: October 4, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in the OPAL course
Meeting place: to be announced
On Sunday, October 4, 2026, we’ll meet at 10 a.m. at the main entrance of the Zeuner Building (George-Bähr-Straße 3c) and split into roughly equal-sized groups. Then we’ll set off on our bike tour through Dresden.
(For anyone who doesn’t own a bike, there will likely be an option to use a voucher—which you’ll receive on-site—to rent a Mobi-Bike once via the Nextbike app and use it for our tour.)
Along the way, you’ll have the chance to chat with your new fellow students and get to know each other over a drink during a short break. This makes the tour perfect for everyone—whether you’re new to Dresden or already familiar with the city.
Please remember to bring a helmet if needed, along with plenty of water and weather-appropriate clothing.
We look forward to seeing you!
Date: October 5, 2026
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: ZEU/LICH/H
Welcome to UNI-kompakt—the event at ESE where you can get information about studying!
As future students, it’s essential that you know the basics of college life.
That’s why, in about an hour, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to get started with your studies.
Time: October 5, 2026, 12:00 p.m.
Location: Wiese am Japanischen Palais
On October 5, starting at 12 p.m., we cordially invite you to join us for a picnic and speed-friending event. Come meet your new fellow students and enjoy spending time together.
We’ve provided some basic snacks, fruit, and vegetables, but feel free to bring your own food and drinks as well.
P.S. If you have your own picnic blankets, feel free to bring them along.
See you then
Your FSR
Date: October 6, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in the OPAL course.
Meeting place: to be announced
As future residents of Dresden, it’s essential—and a great way to impress family, friends, and future dates—to know a little about the city.
Anyone who’d like to join the city tour can meet up with us on October 6, 2026, at 11 a.m. There, we’ll split into smaller groups and explore the city together.
We look forward to seeing you!
Date: October 6, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Prerequisite: Enroll in the OPAL course (link to follow)
Meeting point: to be announced
Get to know the Student Services’ clubs and bars on our Student Club Tour. Meet us on Tuesday, October 6, at 6:30 p.m. in front of the HSZ.
From there, we’ll head out together in groups to the first clubs. We’ll provide the first shot, and in return, you’ll get your very own official MW shot glass! Please bring 1€ in cash.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Date: October 7, 2026
Prerequisite: Enrollment in the OPAL course (link to follow)
Meeting place: to be announced
Dear freshmen,
On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, the big Mechanical Engineering Rally will get you slowly acclimated to life as a student.
At 6 stations spread across campus and around town, you’ll have the chance to get to know your new classmates through fun drinking games. The games include well-known classics as well as new Mechanical Engineering challenges.
Start: 10:00 a.m. at the HSZ forecourt
End: approx. 4:00 PM
Please bring €5 in cash as the participation fee. This includes drinks for the entire day.
NOTES:
No one is required to drink alcohol, and no one is allowed to force you to! Non-alcoholic alternatives are available at every station. Please read through the Awareness Policy. (to follow)
Make sure to bring enough water for the day and wear clothes that can get a little dirty. (Please also check the weather forecast!)
There will be a lunch break during which you can grab a bite to eat or bring your own food.
Since we’ll mainly be using public transportation, please activate your semester pass in advance.
We look forward to seeing you :)
Date: October 8, 2026
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Auditorium Center
You can find more informationhere
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Information Fair will also take place at the Auditorium Center. There, you’ll find many exhibitors available to address student concerns and answer your questions about your studies.
Date: October 8, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in the OPAL course.
Meeting place: HSZ forecourt.
Dear Mechanical Engineering students!
We’ll meet in Neustadt (Albertplatz) at a time to be announced later. The advisors will already be waiting for you there. Afterward, we’ll walk through Neustadt together.
Let’s go!
For 4 hours, you’ll visit two bars in Neustadt with your group. At each bar, you’ll discover another facet of Dresden’s unique bar culture.
Along the way, your group leaders will hand out a few shots (Pfeffi or Kirsch).
For this, you’ll definitely need the small shot glass you received during the Studiclub tour. If you don’t have one yet or forgot yours, you can purchase one of the few remaining shot glasses for €1. You cannot participate in the event without the shot glass, so please remember to bring it!
We’re already looking forward to seeing you all and exploring the many bars.
See you soon, your FSR
Date: October 9, 2026
Time: to be announced
Location: to be announced
On Friday, October 9, after the welcome event hosted by our Dean of Studies, we’d like to show you around campus. We’ll take you and your seminar groups on a tour of the campus and point out the most important locations.
Afterward, we’d love to have a barbecue with you and wrap up the afternoon.
At the barbecue, you’ll also receive your goody bags filled with information and various treats.
We look forward to seeing you :)
Date: October 10, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Meeting point: Main Station, in front of Rewe to go
Duration: to be announced
Prerequisite: Enrolled in the OPAL course
Dear freshmen,
To wrap up ESE, we’d like to end the week with a hike through Saxon Switzerland. To do this, we’ll meet at 9 a.m. at the main entrance of the main train station and take the S-Bahn for about 45–60 minutes to Schmilka, and from there we’ll take you on a hiking route. Please remember to activate your Deutschlandticket. We recommend wearing sturdy shoes, bringing weather-appropriate clothing, and packing enough food. The hiking route will be about 10 kilometers long, so the tour will take us about 6 hours. We’ll take the S-Bahn back as well.
Date: November 6–8, 2026
Requirements: Register in advance at the FSR office; participation fee must be paid in cash
Meeting point: Location and time to be announced
We’re going to a youth hostel for the weekend. Meals will be provided.
Space is limited. Registration begins during ESE Week. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us.
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Volunteers
For upperclassmen who would like to help out at one of the events listed above, here is the link to sign up.