Information about PhD studies
Table of contents
What are PhD studies?
In general, doctoral degrees (PhD) at TU Dresden are possible in all available fields of study, whereby doctoral studies in Germany are generally regarded as an individual research project. You must first find a professor who is interested in your research topic and who can supervise your doctoral studies. When making initial contact, you should submit your curriculum vitae and, if possible, a brief exposé on the topic you are considering.
Find out more about the requirements of the individual faculties and their doctoral regulations! In order to qualify for a doctoral degree from TU Dresden, you must be officially accepted as a doctoral candidate by the respective faculty, i.e. confirmed by the Doctoral Committee.
As a rule, a doctoral project at the TU Dresden is possible independently of enrolment. If you are considering the possibility of temporary enrolment, you can find out more about the application process in the section below.
Support in research and doctoral studies
TU Dresden offers a wide range of services to support you in your research project. In particular, we recommend that you register with the Graduate Academy and contact the Welcome Center of the TU Dresden regarding any social matters. Please also read about the whole process of application/enrolment as well as tips for funding on the websites of the Graduate Academy
Possibility of temporary enrolment in doctoral studies (with student ID)
Acceptance as a doctoral student is a prerequisite for temporary enrolment and thus for the receipt of a student identity card. With your enrolment you acquire the status of a student and are obliged to re-register in time for each semester by transferring the semester fee in accordance with the enrolment regulations of TU Dresden. Like all other students, you will then receive a student identity card with a semester ticket for the respective semester. The following deadlines apply to the application for enrolment The application is made via the corresponding online portal. Please note that you must re-enter your data to apply for enrolment, even if you have already registered with the Graduate Academy in the Promovendus portal.
Deadlines for applying for enrolment
for the start of studies in the winter semester:
1st June until 15th September (additional extension: 15th December)
for the start of studies in the summer semester:
1st December till 15th March (additional extension: 15th June)
Extension of Student Status in Doctoral Studies
Your enrolment is limited to eight semesters according to § 16 Abs. 3 Immatrikulationsordnung der TU Dresden. If you wish to extend your student status, you must submit a corresponding application to the Matriculation Office or International Office in good time before the end of the eighth semester (within the re-registration period). The supervisor of your doctorate and the Doctoral Office of your faculty must agree beforehand ( Application for extension of the doctoral studies programme)
Applicants with international certificates
If you have an international university degree, the Doctoral Office of your faculty, in cooperation with the International Office, will check whether the degree obtained abroad differs significantly from the degree requirements specified in the respective doctoral regulations. You can find out in advance about the recognition of your university degree on the website of the Central Office for Foreign Education.
If you are a doctoral student in your home country and only come to TU Dresden for up to two semesters without obtaining a degree, please apply as an exchange student.
Further interesting links
- You can find detailed information on doctoral studies at the TU Dresden in the Research section.
- The Graduate Academy offers young academics target-group-specific qualification opportunities.
- All international guest researchers, doctoral students and postdocs who stay for more than three months receive support for questions outside of their studies from the Welcome Center of the TU Dresden.

Visiting address:
Fritz-Foerster-Bau, 6. Etage Mommsenstr. 6
01069 Dresden
Postal address:
Technische Universität Dresden Immatrikulationsamt
01062 Dresden
Parcel address:
Technische Universität Dresden Immatrikulationsamt Helmholtzstr. 10
01069 Dresden
Office hours:
- Tuesday:
- 09:00 - 11:00
- telefonisch
- 13:00 - 15:30
- persönlich im Büro
- Wednesday:
- 09:00 - 11:00
- telefonisch
- Thursday:
- 13:00 - 15:30
- persönlich im Büro
- Friday:
- 09:00 - 11:00
- telefonisch
Please note different opening hours for Medicine and Dental Medicine

Counselling of international students
NameMs Dr. Monika Diecke
International PhD students
Send encrypted mail via the SecureMail portal (for TUD external users only).
Visiting address:
Fritz Foerster Bau, Office 187 Mommsenstraße 6
01069 Dresden
Postal address:
Technische Universität Dresden International Office
01062 Dresden