Tips for Discontinuing Students
Table of contents
Ending your studies without graduating can present you with a range of challenges and leave you with many questions. Where do I go from here? What was the problem? What could I do differently next time? The following options are available to help you.
Planning alternatives
If you intend to begin a new programme of study, you can make an appointment to speak with a student counselor at the Central Student Information and Counseling Service. Depending on your concerns, you can discuss with the student counselor the reasons that led to you discontinuing your studies, develop your future career plans, find a suitable degree programme or look for alternative routes into your preferred career and plan your next steps.
If you have lost the right to sit examinations for your course of study, then this may mean you are restricted when it comes to choosing a similar programme. Information as to whether the failed examination would also constitute part of your alternative programme and thus prevent you from choosing it can be obtained from the appropriate examinations office.
Support for starting your career
The Career Service at TU Dresden helps you get started in your career. The service offers support for looking at your career options and starting down the right path towards where you want to go. The service also provides information about available options for further training and education within the region and beyond.
If you have decided to discontinue your studies at TU Dresden, then the Study and Careers Service at the Agentur für Arbeit provides comprehensive advice on alternatives to university: from the dual study programme („duales Studium”) to specialised training for school leavers as well as dual or school-based vocational training. Advice on work placements, short-term options until you can start something new, or help finding a job is also available. You can get in touch via e-mail. You can also make an appointment with the Agentur für Arbeit: 0351 2885-1097 (Grit Förster) or 0351 2885-1019 (Cathleen Hofeditz). There is also an open office hour on campus during the lecture period: Mondays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Fritz-Foerster-Bau, ground floor, SCS-Servicepoint, Mommsenstraße 6, 01069 Dresden: Show map of this location.
If you are interested in vocational training, you can also contact the Dresden Chamber of Trades and Crafts [Handwerkskammer] and the Dresden Chamber of Trade and Industry [Industrie- und Handelskammer]. They will also be able to provide you with advice.
Crisis and psychological support
If you need psychological support, you can make use of the services offered by the Psycho-social Counseling Service of the Studentenwerk Dresden.
Podcasts on study doubts and dropout
Why do I get better counseling when I have doubts about my studies? How are others in this situation? What alternatives do I have if I want to discontinue my studies?
Podcasts on study doubts and dropout compiled by the early warning system PASST?! address these and other questions. The selection includes reports on experiences, ideas from counseling centers, and scientific considerations.
Further information
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research has compiled useful information and experience reports about dropping out of university at studienabbruch-und-dann.de. The Saxon network Quickstart Sachsen also offers you further information and guidance if you have doubts about your studies at studienabbruch-und-weiter.de.
You also have the option of contacting the Dresden network Weg X directly, which can point you in the right direction.
© Sven Ellger/TUD
Central Student Information and Counseling Service
Send encrypted email via the SecureMail portal (for TUD external users only).
Visiting address:
Fritz-Foerster-Bau, floor 0 Mommsenstraße 6
01069 Dresden
Postal address:
TUD Dresden University of Technology Zentrale Studienberatung
01062 Dresden
Office hours:
- Monday:
- 10:00 - 12:00
- Tuesday:
- 09:00 - 12:00
- 13:00 - 16:00
- Thursday:
- 13:00 - 16:00
- Friday:
- 09:00 - 12:00
During open consultation hours, a student counselor is available for you without prior appointment. Please first pick up a calling number at the service point of the ServiceCenterStudies.