Start your studies

Your studies at a state university like the TUD are free of charge, but you have to transfer the so-called semester fee to the TU Dresden at the beginning of each semester. You have to pay this contribution of 200-300 euros because as a student:at the TUD you make use of services provided by the Studentenwerk. The amount changes every six months, but remains within the above-mentioned range. This is used to finance the canteens and your Deutschlandticket, which you have in the form of a semester ticket as a student:in here at the TUD. In addition, transferring the semester fee is an important step in your enrollment - i.e. your enrollment in a degree program at the university. Once you have transferred the fee, you are officially part of the TUD.

In order to remain a student at the TUD, you must transfer the current semester fee before the start of each semester. You must therefore remember to re-register for the entire duration of your studies.

To be able to eat in the canteen or travel around Germany on public transport, you need a Campuscard. This is your student ID card, which you can use to prove that you are enrolled here at TUD. In addition to your name, this card also shows your matriculation number. This number is your personal identifier here at the university and will be assigned to you when you enrol. For example, you have to write it on your exam papers (instead of your name) or on assignments such as term papers. But back to the Campuscard - it's an all-rounder. Once you have registered with the SLUB, you can use it to borrow books, you can load money onto the card to pay for your food in the canteen or cafeteria and you can download your semester ticket online, which is a Germany ticket when shown with your ID card.

You should also familiarize yourself with your study regulations. This is an official TUD document that exists for every subject and is easy to find online. Simply look in the study information system SINS or at your faculty. Alternatively, simply enter the name of your degree program at the TUD in the search bar of your search engine on the Internet, which should also take you to your study regulations quite quickly.

The study regulations contain, for example, the objectives, procedure, structure and content of your degree program, as well as module descriptions and the study schedule. You should read module descriptions carefully before choosing a module, as they not only describe the content to be taught, but also how much work this module involves, which examinations must be taken and how many credit points can be earned. If you have to build your own timetable, you can use the study plan as a guide, as it gives you an overview of which module is planned for which semester, which courses this module comprises and how many credit points you can earn for the module and the semester.

Even if it all sounds a bit complicated at first and looks at least as complicated, it won't be at some point. Once you have familiarized yourself with it, everything is easy to understand. If you don't understand something, you can always ask your fellow students for help or ask your course coordinators.

During your studies, you will use various platforms to help you organize and manage your studies.

Probably the most important platform is OPAL -the online platform for academic teaching and learning. You use this platform to register for lectures, seminars and tutorials. Lecturers provide you with presentations and documents, but also assignments that you can submit on OPAL or solve directly there. OPAL can be very confusing and confusing at first glance, but don't worry, you will eventually get an understanding and a user routine.

Another platform is OPAL Exam, a platform similar to OPAL, except that you only use it if you are writing online exams. You only have to register once before the exam, but the lecturers will explain everything to you at the appropriate time.

SELMA is a platform that you don't work on, but is still very important for success. You will probably remember this platform from your application, as this is where your applications and enrolment certificates are stored. You also register for your modules and exams on SELMA. Without this registration, you will not be able to take the exams. But you don't need to worry here either, the Examination Office will remind you to register and if you don't want to or can't take an exam, you can also deregister there a few days before the exam. The grades you received in the exams you took will also be listed here. You can also see your timetable on Selma (if you are given one), apply for a semester off or de-register here. SELMA is therefore primarily used to organize your studies.

Another important "platform" you should remember is Outlook and your e-mail address. When you enrol at the TU, you will receive an e-mail address with which you can easily register with Opal and log in there with your ZIH login. Be sure to check your emails regularly, as this is the main way to communicate with lecturers. You will also receive email notifications if something happens on OPAL.

To gain access to these platforms, you will need your ZIH login. You can use this to log in anywhere.

You can get an overview of the most important IT services here.

If you are starting a degree course in the School of Science, you should consider taking so-called bridge courses before starting your studies. These help you to refresh your knowledge in chemistry, physics and mathematics and bring all students up to the same level of knowledge. Participation is free of charge and voluntary.