German

Lectures, seminars, and recitation/practical course components are held, for the most part, in German. Normally, successful participation in these classes requires at least intermediate (B1) knowledge of German (Medicine and Dentistry: B2).
If you intend to take courses in a program that is taught in German, you must provide proof of competence in German with your application (native speakers are exempt).

English

In some cases, courses can be taken in English. First of all, this is the case if you intend to enroll in courses offered within an English taught Master’s program at the TU Dresden - insofar as the capacities are sufficient. In addition, projects and other assignments can be written in English if an agreement can be made with the faculty in question (Please note:  unfortunately it is not possible at all faculties). If you intend to complete your studies in English, you must provide proof of competence in this language B1/B2 (native speakers are exempt).
However, basic German language skills are highly recommended!

German courses

Preparatory German course

Before the semester begins, you will have the opportunity to participate in an intensive German course. Language courses are conducted by the TUDIAS language school. You can find information about course offers, dates, times, and fees on the homepage of TUDIAS .

German classes during the semester

During the semester, you also have the opportunity to take German classes. These are free of charge and aim at many different skill levels. To sign up for a German course, it is obligatory in most cases to take a placement test online. More information regarding the online test.

• With your application to study at TU Dresden, please create a learning agreement detailing your academic intentions ( form of your home institution or Learning Agreement). Then, have the coordinator of your exchange program at your home university sign your learning agreement and include it with your other application documents.
• Your intentions will be looked over by the coordinator at TU Dresden responsible for the faculty in which you intend to enrol, in order to make sure that your plans can be realistically accomplished.
• The standard number of credits to be attempted every semester is 20 - 30 ECTS. Individual requests to deviate from that number can be approved by your home university and the faculty coordinator at the TU Dresden.
• If you would like to do a research project or paper at the TU Dresden, please explain this in your learning agreement. Please find yourself a supervisor at the corresponding institute at TUD and add the confirmation letter to your application documents. The Erasmus coordinator of the relevant faculty may eventually assist you.
• If you have specific questions about instruction, earning ECTS credit or choosing a topic for your research or paper, please also contact the ERASMUS coordinator at the desired faculty.

Please look at the overview of courses and events offered at TU Dresden in these FAQ. You will find, first of all, the Bachelor's programs and some Master's programs in each faculty.
For unlisted subjects, please look at the homepages of the appropriate faculties.

• In order to make a choice regarding the classes you want to attend, please have a look at the current courses offered and module descriptions of the desired study program. The module descriptions can be found at the end of the study guidelines of each program, in the module description book or in the ECTS Course Catalogues.
• Please name the correct title of your desired classes/modules, if possible add the course number. If you want to participate in classes of other departments, please also note this down in your learning agreement with exact details.
• Should you have specific questions concerning your degree program, lectures or ECTS you may refer to the ERASMUS contact person of your department.
• In general, the language of instruction at TU Dresden is German. In some programs there might be also some lectures in English. If you have questions about the language of instruction, please contact the departmental ERASMUS contact person or the respective professor directly.
• Degree programs that are completely taught in English are specifically marked in the overview (Master's programs only). Unfortunately, there are only limited capacities.
• Please note: The catalogues of the upcoming semester and the schedules are published shortly before the semester starts. It may be necessary to make some changes to the learning agreement at the beginning of your studies.

Please select the program you are applying for to see the respective course catalogue and a description of the existing modules and their credits. After clicking on the school or course you will be directed to the website of the department.
You can also find the module descriptions resp. the study regulations in the study information system SINS
Unfortunately, not all pages are available in English. Please do not hesitate to contact the respective department or the International Office should you have any questions.

There is also a course catalogue for the current semester available on selma or see the general course catalogue

• School of Science
• School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• School of Engineering Sciences
• School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (incl. Economics)
• School of Medicine

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE

Faculty Biology

Information for incoming students
Biology (in German language)
Molekulare Biologie und Biotechnologie (in German language)
Biology / Master taught in English

Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry

Information for incoming students
Chemistry, Food Chemistry (in German language)
Biochemistry / Master taught in English
Chemistry / Master taught in English

Faculty of Mathematics

Mathematics, Technomathematics, Business Mathematics (in German language)

Faculty of Physics

Physics (in German language)
Organic and Molecular Electronics / Master taught in English

Faculty of Psychology

Psychology (in German language)

Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering CMCB

Molecular Bioengineering / Master taught in English
Physics of Life / Master taught in English
Regenerative Biology and Medicine / Master taught in English

Internationales Hochschulinstitut (IHI) Zittau

Master Programmes
more information
 

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

Faculty of Education

Information for incoming students
Social Pedagogy, Social Work and Welfare Studies (in German language)
Teaching Degrees (in German language)

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science

Information for incoming students
Protestant Theology (in German language)
History (in German language)
Catholic Theology in an interdisciplinary context (in German language)
History of Art (in German language)
Law (in German language)
Media and Communication (in German language)
Musicology (in German language)
Philosophy (in German language)
Political Science (in German language)
Sociology (in German language)

Faculty of Literature, Linguistics and Cultural Studies

Information for incoming students
Bachelor's courses/modules (the study regulations and module descriptions can be found at "main subject")
English and American Studies
German Studies (in German language)
Classical Philology (in German language)
European Languages
Romance Studies (in German language)
Slavic Studies (in German language)

Center for International Studies

Information for incoming students
International Relations (mainly in German language)
 

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES

Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Information for incoming students
Electrical engineering (in German language)
Information systems technology (in German language)
Mechatronics (in German language)
Regenerative energy systems (in German language)
Nanoelectronic Systems / Master taught in English

Faculty of Computer Science

Information for incoming students
Computer science (mainly in German language)
Media informatics (mainly in German language)
Computational Modeling and Simulation / Master taught in English
Distributed Systems Engineering / Master taught in English

Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering

Information for incoming students (see: 1 - 2 Semester zu Gast)
Mechanical engineering (in German language) - with the following specialization options:
     General and constructive mechanical engineering (in German language)
     Energy Technology (in German language)
     Automotive and rail vehicle technology (in German language)
     Lightweight construction (in German language)
     Aerospace Engineering (in German language)
     Production technology (in German language)
     Simulation methods (in German language)
     Processing and textile engineering (in German language)
Textile and clothing technology (in German language)
Process engineering and natural materials technology (in German language)
Materials science (in German language)
 

SCHOOL OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Faculty of Architecture

Architecture (mainly in German language)
Landscape Architecture (in German language)

Faculty of Civil Engineering

Information for incoming students
Civil Engineering (in German language)
ACCESS/ Master taught in English

Faculty of Environmental Sciences

Information for incoming students

Field of Forest Sciences
Information for incoming students
Forest Sciences (in German language)
Wood Science and Technology (in German language)
Tropical Forestry and Management / Master taught in English

Field of Geosciences
Information for incoming students
Geodesy (in German language)
Geography (in German language)
Geoinformation Technologies (in German language)
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (in German language)
Spatial Development and Natural Resource Management (in German language)
Cartography / Master taught in English

Field of Hydro Sciences
Information for incoming students
Hydro Sciences (in German language)
Hydrobiology (in German language)
Hydrology and Meteorology (in German language)
Water Management (in German language)
Waste Management and Contaminated Site Treatment (in German language)
Hydro Science & Engineering / Master taught in English

Faculty of Transportation and Traffic Science

Information for incomings students
Transport Engineering (in German language)
Transport Economics (in German language)
Air Transport and Logistics / Master taught in English (from October 2023)
Electrical Transportation Systems (in German language)
Railyway System Engineering (in German language)
Transportation Economics / Master taught in English

Faculty of Business and Economics

Information for incoming students
Business Administration and Economics (in German language)
Business Informatics (in German language)
Economics and Engineering (in German language)
Business Education (in German language)
Business Administration (Master taught in German language)
Public and International Economics / Master taught in English (from October 2023)

Internationales Hochschulinstitut (IHI) Zittau

Master Programmes
more information
 

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus

Medicine (in German language)
Dentistry (in German language)
Public Health
Medical Radiation Sciences

Application deadlines

for the summer semester (start of studies April 1) by January 15
for the winter semester (start of studies on October 1) by June 15

Application procedure

Please register online below.
Please prepare the following documents:

• Learning agreement with detailed information about your study project at TU Dresden approved by your home institution (form of your home institution or this Learning Agreement)
• Transcript of Records or proof of previous studies at the home institution (form of your home institution or form Transcript of Records) + English or German translation
• Proof of enrollment at your home university
• Language certificate (B1 German - in case language of instruction is German/ B2 for Medicine and Dentistry; if applicable proof of English B1/B2)
• Copy of passport or ID

In case you are already accepted by a department of the TU Dresden or institute in Dresden:

• Statement of acceptance of the corresponding department or institute in Dresden
• Proof of enrollment at your home university
• Transcript of Records or proof of previous studies at the home institution (for PhD students e.g. Master's Certificate) + English or German translation
• Copy of passport or ID

O N L I N E    A P P L I C A T I O N  S T A R T

Refugee students may receive further support - please look here

The Erasmus contact person can assist you in selecting courses and in setting up your learning agreement. Usually they are the person to sign your learning agreement. During your studies they can give you information about the exam registration at the respective institution or faculty. At the end of your studies they can help you with the Transcript of Records.

Erasmus contact person

Admission

After your application has been received by the International Office, you will receive an email confirming the receipt of your application and its completeness.
Your application will then be passed on to the program coordinator of your desired program, who will then examine the learning agreement and make a decision about your admission to the program.
If you are admitted by your desired faculty, the International Office will send you an acceptance letter and the signed learning agreement.

Please note that the processing of your application at TU Dresden will require about 4 weeks, and may also take longer in some cases.

• After you have received your letter of admission and if you would like to reserve accommodation in a student dormitory, you can apply for a room at the Studentenwerk Dresden. Please apply immediately after receiving the letter of admission.
• Along with your notification of admission, you will receive information regarding arrival, enrollment, and commencement of studies.

ENROLLMENT

To register for the summer semester, you are expected to enroll at TUD till the end of March. For the winter semester, you are expected to enroll till the end of September.

• Detailed information and dates for Meet & Greet at the International Office will be communicated to you with your letter of admission.
• If you cannot arrive until the designated time period due to delayed issuance of visa, please come to our Service Desk during the office hours.
• In general, enrollment is only possible for the beginning of the semester.

Semester payment

To enroll at TU Dresden, you must provide proof of payment of the semester contribution.
You will receive information about the payment along with your admission letter. Payment may be done before you come to Dresden or after your arrival by bank transfer. Please note that you cannot pay in cash at the International Office.

Health Insurance and other insurances:

As a rule, the university must have a valid health insurance status in Germany for all students. This is reported electronically to the university by one of the German statutory health insurance companies.
If applicable, please ask your health insurance company in your EU home country to issue an International Health Insurance Card for you (EHIC - European Health Insurance Card).
With this card or another proof of health insurance, you must register with a German statutory health insurance company BEFORE enrolling. Inform the German statutory health insurance company immediately that you are studying at TU Dresden. The health insurance company must then send an electronic notification to TU Dresden.
You can find detailed information about health insurance here.

• Please take out a travel health insurance policy ONLY for the period of your arrival, as travel health insurance policies are not valid for enrollment purposes.

Starting with your enrolment at TU Dresden, you are insured against accidents during study-related activities as well as the routes directly connected with it.

We recommend that you take out private liability insurance for the duration of your stay abroad.

Student Applicants from EU-Countries

If you are an EU citizen, no visa is required to enter or to study in Germany.

Applicants from other Countries (non-EU)

Please apply for a student visa at the Germany Embassy in your home country.
This also applies to applicants from countries, where a visa for entry into Germany is not required.
Application for a student visa at the German Embassy of your home country is no longer possible after entering Germany.

Please do NOT enter Germany on a tourist visa. The conversion to a student visa is NO longer possible!

This does not apply to citizens from the following countries (also see Foreign Office): Andorra, Australia, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the USA. Citizens from these countries only need a residence permit for study purposes. You have to apply for this residence permit at the appropriate Foreigners' Registration Office within three months of entry.

Further Information

An overview of specific requirements for each country may be found with the Deutsches Auswärtiges Amt (German Foreign Office).

To apply for a student visa in your home country, the following documents are required: 

• confirmation of receipt of application
• notification of receiving a study place or
• letter of admission

Student Dormitories

If you would like to live in a student dormitory, then you should apply for a room at the Studentenwerk Dresden after having been admitted to the university.

Please submit the application for a dormitory room as soon as you receive your letter of admission from TU Dresden. Include a copy of your admission letter in your application. All information concerning student dorms, application procedure, and application forms can be found at Studentenwerk Dresden.

Private accommodation

Dresden offers a wide range of apartments and rooms in so-called "Wohngemeinschaften" (shared apartments). Rooms in shared apartments are often ready-furnished and may also be available for a shorter period of time.
To live in a shared apartment may be a good alternative and an excellent way to get into contact with German students and to get involved in students' life in Dresden.

studenten-wg.de    site especially for students
WG-gesucht    offers for shared apartments
www.kleinanzeigen.de  --> Immobilien --> Auf Zeit & WG (property, temporary & shared flat)

If you cannot find a room in the above categories, you can of course also search for private student accommodation/halls of residence (Wohnheim) in Dresden.

Accommodation when arriving in Dresden

In case you have no place to stay when you first arrive, inexpensive accommodation can be found for example at:

• Lollis Homestay 
  Görlitzer Str. 34, 01099 Dresden
  Tel:  +49 351 810 84 58
  (15 minutes by foot from station "Bahnhof Dresden Neustadt")
• Hostel Mondpalast 
  Louisenstraße 77, 01099 Dresden
  Tel:  +49 351 56340-50
  Fax: +49 351 56340-55
• Jugendherberge "Rudi Arndt" 
  Hübnerstraße 11, 01069 Dresden
  Tel.: +49 351 471-0667
  Fax: +49 351 4728959
  (10 minutes by foot from Dresden main station)
• A&O Hostel
  Strehlener Straße 10, 01069 Dresden
  Tel:  +49 351 46 92 71 59 00
  (5 - 10 minutes walk from Dresden main station or you can take bus no. 66 til stop "Uhlandstraße")

At TU Dresden there are numerous initiatives and programs that support you during your stay at TU Dresden, both in terms of your academic success and in terms of getting to know a new city and culture and making new friends.

Here you will find information on the start and end of the lecture period, as well as information on the start and end of the main examination period, lecture-free periods and public holidays in Saxony/Germany.

The Campuscard must be collected in person at the Servicepoint of the Service Center Studium (SCS) in the Fritz-Förster-Bau, Mommsenstraße 6.

Please note:

• You can collect your Campuscard at the earliest two days after enrollment.
• Your arrival is confirmed when you collect the card.

All information about the Campuscard can be found here.

The issuance of Transcripts of Records (documentation of academic achievements at TU Dresden) takes place in the faculties.

The procedure for issuing them differs from faculty to faculty. At the end of the study period, the achievements are either listed in the form Transcript of Records and signed in the faculty or in some faculties the transcripts can be created and printed out by the examination office.

Information can be obtained from the tutors in your field of study, the responsible ERASMUS contact persons or the respective examination office.

Please note:

• Each student must collect the Transcript of Records by him/herself!
• The TU Dresden does NOT automatically send your transcript to your home university.
• If the examination results have not been completed by the time of your departure, please arrange with the responsible office where the Transcript of Records should be sent.

2 to 3 days before you officially end your study visit at the TU Dresden, you can email us your completed Certificate of Attendance/Stay so that we can sign it.
You will receive the form from your home university. Please note that we cannot sign it further in advance.
All information about formalities at the end of your studies, such as termination of enrolment, can be found here.