International students
Table of contents
You are warmly welcome to study Physics in Dresden as an international student.
Drei Menschen – drei Länder – drei Karrieren an der TU Dresden © TU Dresden
Subject-independent information on application and planning for the various possibilities is given by the International Office (Akademisches Auslands-Amt, AAA) via the Link Studienvorbereitung. The International Office also provides information about financing and scholarship options and runs a Welcome Center for international Ph.D. students and visiting scientists. In Physics, you can chose among the following options:
- Non-degree studies (general information by the AAA)
e.g. within ERASMUS or other exchange programs - Degree studies (general information by the AAA)
"Bachelor of Science in Physics" (in German language)
"Master of Science in Physics" (primary language of conduct is English, exams in English or German according to the choice of the student)
"Physics Education" (in German language)
International Master’s Program in Organic and Molecular Electronics - Doctoral Studies (general information by the AAA)
Subject-specific information for prospective physics students is collected on the respective physics programme pages. Official rules are given in the German-language Study Regulations ("Studienordnung") accessible via the left-hand submenu of the respective Physics Degree Programmes.
Admission Requirements for Degree studies in physics
- For Bachelor degree or Physics Education studies You need a proof of elegibility for study at an university.
- For Master degree studies you need a Bachelor degree in Physics. On request to the Admissions Committee of the Master of Science in Physics also degrees of Bachelor of Science in related fields, like e.g. Engineering Physics or Technical Physics, can be accepted, if the imparted knowledge in physics and in mathematical methods is sufficiently similar to that of the Bachelor program in Physics.
- For Doctoral studies a Master or a Diploma in Physics or closely related subjects is required.
Application Procedures for degree studies in physics
As a foreign student, normally your application has to go via "uni-assist e.V.", a service organization in Germany for international university applications. The list of application documents is given at the bottom of the information page for international applicants and all further steps for the online application are explained in the uni-assist Bachelor's degree or Master's degree pages.
If you have obtained a German secondary school certificate (Abitur) either in Germany or at a German school abroad, or if you have already successfully completed e.g. a Bachelor of Physics degree in Germany, you are categorized as "Bildungsinländer" and Your application can proceed online directly to the TU Dresden Matrikulation office.
The application deadlines can be found via the SInS Study Information System by searching for the respective study programme ( Bachelor of Science in Physics, Master of Science in Physics or Physics Education for Middle Schools, Vocational Schools, and Gymnasium) and opening the field "Bewerbungsmodalitäten für ausländische Studienbewerber".
Language requirements
For admission to Bachelor degree studies in German language You need a high level (C1, e.g. TestdaF 4 or DSH 2) of German Language Knowledge.
In the Master degree studies the physics courses, seminars and labs are primarily offered in English. The related physics exams can be taken either in English or in German, according to the choice of the student. The courses and exams in minor subjects, like mathematics, chemistry, biology, material science, etc., are offered in English or German depending on the selected course.
Prerequisite for the admission of the Master degree studies is a proficiency in English at the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
If you do not have a certificate of a general or subject-linked higher education entrance qualification with a basic or advanced course completed in English (or comparable levels), a higher education entrance qualification completed entirely in English, or a certificate of a higher education degree completed entirely in English, proof is provided based on the result of a test available internationally (for example, IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL internet-based: 75, UNIcert II).
Note that this list of accepted language certificates only refers to the types of certificates recognized at TUD. The necessary levels, as detailed above, are special for the master of physics.
For undergraduate non-degree studies within the Bachelor of Physics or Physics Education programme You need at least intermediate (B1) knowledge of German language. In graduate non-degree studies in the Master of Physics programme You can freely chose between course components given in German or English, so that proof of competence must be provided only in the chosen language (native speakers are exempt). Further details can be found in language requirements for part time studies.
No formal German Language requirements exist for Doctoral Studies in Physics, but we advice to check with Your supervisor for local requirements.
Support for international students
© J.C. Budich
International Officer Physics: Prof. Jan Carl Budich
Send encrypted email via the SecureMail portal (for TUD external users only).
Visiting address:
Bürozentrum Zellescher Weg (BZW) Zellescher Weg 17
01069 Dresden
A111
Postal address:
TUD Dresden University of Technology Faculty of Physics Prof. Jan Carl Budich
01062 Dresden
In case of insufficient German Language Knowledge for degree studies the TU Dresden offers Preparatory Courses in German Language with and without fee in a preparatory semester, for example via courses at the TU Dresden Institute of Advanced Studies, TUDIAS.
The tandem programmes of the International Office offer language tandems of two (or more) partners helping each other to improve their language skills and culture tandems of German and foreign students to familiarize one another with each others customs and cultural heritage.
ERASMUS Coordinator (Europe): Prof. Dr. Walter Strunz
Send encrypted email via the SecureMail portal (for TUD external users only).
Visiting address:
BZW, A 106 Zellescher Weg 17
01069 Dresden
Postal address:
TUD Dresden University of Technology Faculty of Physics Prof. Walter Strunz
01062 Dresden
In the tutor programme of the International Office students (=tutors) support foreign students during and before their studies, most importantly at the beginning, no matter if you start in the first semester at TU Dresden, or at a more advanced level.
Especially related to physics there is the yearly beginners' programme of the student representatives in the student council (FSR Physik) providing a good opportunity for you to explore Dresden and get to know your fellow students.
As advisors for foreign (prospective) physics students serves the ERASMUS coordinator Prof. Dr. Walter Strunz for the ERASMUS programme in Europe, and the commissioner for studies abroad, Prof. Dr. Jan Carl Budich, for all other students.
© FSR Physik TUD
Student Council Physics
Send encrypted email via the SecureMail portal (for TUD external users only).
Visiting address:
Recknagel-Bau, D017 Haeckelstr. 3
01062 Dresden
Postal address:
TUD Dresden University of Technology Fakultät Physik Fachschaftsrat Physik
01062 Dresden
Office hours:
Wednesday by appointment