Study Mechanical Engineering

Diploma program (10 semesters)

The diploma course follows the classic engineering education model. After a broad-based foundation phase, you spend several semesters deepening your knowledge in one field of study and developing a clear professional profile. A central component is the specialist internship in the 7th semester, which is completed outside the university. Here you gain practical experience in an industrial environment and apply your acquired knowledge directly to real tasks. The Diplom-Ingenieur degree is internationally recognized and is equivalent to a Master's degree.

Bachelor's degree (6 semesters)

The Bachelor's degree program teaches the basic content of mechanical engineering in a compact form. Specialization within mechanical engineering also takes place here, but via a shorter in-depth phase. The Bachelor's degree enables early career entry or the transition to further degree programs.

Diploma postgraduate course (5 semesters)

The diploma postgraduate course is aimed at graduates of related engineering courses who wish to expand or realign their specialist profile. By choosing a field of study, students can specialize in a targeted manner until they graduate with a degree in engineering.

Distance learning

The mechanical engineering degree can also be completed by distance learning.

• Bachelor: 12 semesters

• Diploma: 20 semesters

• Diploma extension: 10 semesters

Further legally binding information and conditions for the individual study paths, such as the study requirements or application deadlines, can be found in the central study information system (SINS) under the respective study profiles.

© Crispin Iven Mokry

This degree course will provide you with a broad knowledge of the design, calculation and construction of machines and systems. You will deal with the development of machines for specific work processes and learn how to optimize interactions in operation. The course offers you the opportunity to specialize in areas such as construction, product development or industrial design and prepare you for a career in which you actively shape the future of technology.

© Anna Hantschke

Are you fascinated by the idea of supplying the world with safe, affordable and environmentally friendly energy? Do you value real sustainability? Then energy technology is your thing! From energy machines and building energy technology to renewable energy supply and hydrogen technology - you decide your own focus and learn everything you need for a successful career as an engineer. Imagine you could soon be part of exciting experiments at the Center for Energy Technology or working on the training nuclear reactor! Are you ready to help shape the future of energy? Then choose the energy technology course after your foundation degree and become part of an exciting adventure!

© Crispin Iven Mokry

In this field of study, you will deepen your specialist knowledge of vehicle components and subsystems. You will deal with the further development of technical systems, such as drive technology, vehicle dynamics and safety systems. You will also deal intensively with topics such as electromobility, automated driving and sustainable mobility. The course will prepare you to develop and implement pioneering technologies for the vehicle industry.

The scientific discipline of lightweight construction is playing a decisive role in shaping the global trend toward resource-saving mechanical engineering. In doing so, it uses
innovative material combinations, design principles and calculation methods to provide sustainable products and technologies. The study focus is on the design and layout of hybrid lightweight structures with fiber composites as well as lightweight manufacturing and joining technologies for mechanical and vehicle engineering.

© Anna Hantschke

Would you like to work on the next generation of aircraft, satellites and space systems? In this practice-oriented field of study, you will develop innovative solutions for air and space transportation. You will specialize in aircraft technology, space systems or aviation propulsion systems and work on projects such as drones, rovers and satellites. The close cooperation with industry and the focus on aerodynamics, structural engineering and propulsion technology will prepare you perfectly for the future of aerospace.

© Crispin Iven Mokry

In this field of study, you will deal with the development and application of manufacturing processes, machine tools and process optimization. You will learn how quality assurance, production metrology, factory and logistics planning and the ergonomic design of production systems are implemented in modern industry. Special emphasis is placed on the automation of processes and the use of artificial intelligence to make manufacturing systems more efficient and sustainable. You will be prepared for the future challenges of intelligent manufacturing in order to develop innovative solutions.

© Crispin Iven Mokry

© Anna Hantschke

Are you interested in simulation methods in mechanical engineering and want to understand the world of technology at a fundamental level?
In order to design machines and systems, you need to understand the behavior of technical components and systems and how they interact with their environment. This requires knowledge of structural mechanics and fluid mechanics. Analytical and numerical as well as experimental methods are used to solve engineering problems.
The aim is to understand the physical and mathematical principles of mechanical engineering and to learn methods for technical description, calculation, simulation and experimental verification. Solid and comprehensive knowledge is imparted, which enables application in a very wide range of subject areas. At the participating Chairs, students and staff work and research on solutions for current and future challenges in the field of mechanical engineering.

© Anna Hantschke

Have you heard about the first woven heart valve or our university's algae films? Then it's time to take a look for yourself in the test halls of the specialization in processing machines and textile machine construction . Here, biomedical high-performance fibers and resource-saving packaging materials could be the focus of your studies. Or are you primarily interested in machines that weave yarn or produce food highly efficiently? There is a wide range of options available to you.

Nele, Mechanical Engineering student

© Crispin Ive

"The reason why I chose mechanical engineering after leaving school? I enjoy mathematics and am very interested in technology. That sounds very crude, but in summary it hits the nail on the head. I'm now halfway through my degree. My basic studies are over. And I can build on the basics, such as mathematics, technical mechanics, design theory, electrical engineering and much more. But there was one subject that was groundbreaking for me that wasn't on the list. Production engineering. The subject really fascinated me and was the deciding factor for me to major in production engineering. What fascinates me about production engineering is the holistic view of a product's life cycle. What parameters need to be taken into account when designing and selecting manufacturing processes? How are the parts manufactured? Which machines can be used to implement production? How long do the individual production steps take? Which parts does a company manufacture itself and which are purchased? Questions upon questions to which I look forward to finding answers in production engineering."

Cliché or truth - seating for Mechanical Engineering students
Do I have to be good at math and physics to study mechanical engineering? How much truth is there in the checked shirt cliché? Students answer these and many other questions in the "Sitzgelegenheit". In this YouTube format, students, employees or alumni of TU Dresden are asked interesting questions from the community.

Uni vlog with Mechanical Engineering student Lukas
Lukas Günther is studying Mechanical Engineering at TU Dresden, majoring in General and Constructive Mechanical Engineering. In the new TU Dresden student vlog, he gives an insight into his numerous hobbies and activities alongside his studies. Lukas talks about the important role agriculture and the technology behind it play in his life, where he volunteers and how he lives out his passion for photography and film.

Spoilt for choice with the large selection of degree courses in mechanical engineering at TU Dresden - Q&A with Johannes
Studying mechanical engineering - but what does that actually mean? 🔧 Aerospace engineering, general mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, lightweight construction - so many specializations, but which one is right for me? What prior knowledge do I need for a mechanical engineering degree? Student Johannes gives an insight into his studies at TU Dresden. Professor Brosius provides further information on the degree program in a course introduction

Alumni portrait Dr. Franziska Graube-Kühne (Class of 2012, PhD 2020)

© Klaus Gigga

1. What position do you hold and what does your day-to-day work look like?

I am head of the "Technology" department in the Power and Heat division at SachsenEnergie. Our department is responsible for the Dresden district heating network and smaller ones in the region and is the project department for the new construction and maintenance of generation plants for heat or coupled power & heat. We oversee the entire project phase, starting with the development of ideas (e.g. where can we use heat sources for heat pumps) through planning and construction to commissioning and documentation.

2. What fascinates you about your work?

You can do something for the energy transition right at the cutting edge, have an incredibly wide range of technologies and are confronted with strategic and political issues. Above all, there is the question of how to provide affordable green heat with a reliable supply.

3. What experiences from your mechanical engineering studies have benefited you the most in your career?

An understanding of key figures and quick estimation - does that make sense? In what range should a value lie? Can it work that way? - is very often important in order to always have an overview of the multitude of projects and issues. It is important not only to understand that something works, but also how it works, to question everything and also to have a wealth of knowledge across all areas of energy technology - what is the difference between a backpressure turbine and a condensing turbine? How does a natural circulation system work? What types of chillers and heat pumps are there? How can pumps be controlled? I always wanted to know as much as possible, so this helps me now.

4. Did you have a specific career goal during your studies? How did your career develop in comparison?

I always wanted to be an energy engineer. I chose mechanical engineering because it was the home of energy technology. I wanted to help shape the energy transition and I am very happy to be able to actively do this today. In fact, today I am doing exactly what I always wanted to do, I am building green energy generation plants, a little less globally than I had originally planned, but I didn't know how wonderful family life with children would be.

5. What advice would you give other women in engineering for starting their careers?

It is often the case that women and men are still not treated "equally". First and foremost, women have a harder time earning respect, but when they do, it is often even greater than for men. As a manager of men and women, I try to treat everyone fairly, not equally. Mixed teams with men and women work best because they complement each other perfectly. In any case, women don't need to be afraid of not being up to something. If you are enthusiastic about something, then you are usually good at it. Motivation is often more important than other factors. However, if you do experience discrimination or harassment because of your gender, I recommend dealing with it openly. Many people today are much more aware of such issues and will help.