TUD Dresden University of Technology at a glance
- City
- Dresden
- Type
- Public university
- Website
- tu-dresden.de
Key takeaways
- TU Dresden charges no tuition for regular programs; the semester contribution for winter 2026/27 is €361, including a semester ticket.
- A few special programs charge fees, such as Groundwater and Global Change (€4,500 per semester).
- Non-EU applicants apply only through uni-assist, which charges €75 for the first application.
- Most English master's open 1 April to 31 May for the winter semester, one of the earliest windows in Germany.
- TU Dresden has 28 English-taught master's programs in our database and no English-taught bachelor's.
On this page
TU Dresden does not charge tuition for its regular degree programs, including for non-EU students. You pay a semester contribution of €361 for the winter semester 2026/27, which already includes a public transport semester ticket.
That makes TU Dresden one of the cheapest ways to earn an English-taught technical or science master's in Germany. The catch is timing: its uni-assist windows open and close early. Here is everything you need for the 2027/28 intake.
Why TU Dresden is good value
- No tuition for regular programs in the state of Saxony.
- Low semester contribution: €361 covers the Studentenwerk fee (€112.73) and student body fee (€248.27), which includes the semester ticket.
- A wide English master's range in computer science, engineering, mathematics, life sciences, economics and law.
- DAAD-linked programs such as Tropical Forestry and Hydro Science and Engineering, which are part of the DAAD EPOS scholarship scheme.
TU Dresden tuition fees and costs
| Item | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, regular programs | €0 | All students |
| Semester contribution | €361 | Winter semester 2026/27 |
| uni-assist handling fee | €75 first, €30 each extra | Per application semester |
| Groundwater and Global Change | €4,500 per semester | Special program |
| IP and Data Law LL.M. | €2,500 or €4,900 per semester | Special programs |
Saxony also charges fees in two cases: €500 per semester for long-term study beyond the allowed time and €350 per semester for a second degree. If you already hold a master's, check this rule before applying.
For the visa you need proof of €11,904 per year (€992 per month, the amount in force since 1 January 2025). The DAAD estimates living costs at €900 to €1,200 per month depending on the city. See our cost of studying in Germany guide.
English-taught programs at TU Dresden
All bachelor's programs are taught in German, so English-only applicants should look at master's programs. Examples from our database:
- Computing and data: Computer Science, Computational Modeling and Simulation, Geoinformatics
- Engineering: Nanoelectronic Systems, Sustainable Electronics and Photonics, Mobility Systems, Air Transport and Logistics, ACCESS (Advanced Computational and Civil Engineering Structural Studies)
- Mathematics and economics: Mathematics, Technomathematics, Mathematics in Business and Economics, Public and International Economics
- Life sciences: Molecular Bioengineering, Physics of Life, Regenerative Biology and Medicine, Biochemistry
- Environment: Hydro Science and Engineering, Ecosystem Services (IHI Zittau)
See how this compares nationally in our guide to English-taught programs in Germany.
Admission requirements
You need a first university degree that is recognised in Germany and fits the program. Many programs add an aptitude assessment (Eignungsfeststellung) at the faculty, with subject and credit requirements, sometimes with its own earlier window.
- English: B2 is most common (for example IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80 for Ecosystem Services); C1 for Computer Science and Sustainable Electronics and Photonics.
- Documents: school certificate, degree and transcripts (certified and translated), English certificate.
- Unfinished degree: some programs, such as Computer Science, accept you if at least 80% of credits are completed.
- APS: only for applicants from China, Vietnam and India.
Our guide to Germany university admission requirements explains recognition and the German grading scale.
TU Dresden deadlines for 2026/27 and 2027/28
TU Dresden's program database (SINS) lists recurring yearly windows for non-EU applicants. The year is not printed, so confirm on each program page.
| Intake | Window for non-EU applicants | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Summer semester 2027 | 1 October to 30 November 2026 | Computer Science, Chemistry, Geoinformatics |
| Summer semester 2027 | 1 October 2026 to 15 January 2027 | Mathematics programs |
| Winter semester 2027/28 | 1 April to 31 May 2027 | Most English master's |
| Winter semester 2027/28 | Until 15 July 2027 | Mathematics programs, Ecosystem Services, Organismic and Molecular Biodiversity |
Scholarships
TU Dresden students can apply for the Deutschlandstipendium. Several programs are part of the DAAD EPOS scheme, which funds graduates with at least two years' professional experience from eligible countries (Afghanistan is an eligible origin in the DAAD database) at €992 per month. You apply directly to the course by its own deadline. Read more in scholarships in Germany.
Working while you study and after graduation
Non-EU students in Germany may work 140 full days or 280 half days per year. Jobs as a student assistant (HiWi) at the university have no day limit but must be reported to the foreigners' office. The minimum wage since January 2026 is €13.90 per hour. Part-time work helps, but you should not count on it to cover your whole budget, especially in your first semester.
After you graduate, you can apply for a residence permit to look for a qualified job, issued for up to 18 months. Read work and stay in Germany after graduation for the details.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not wait until spring to start: the uni-assist check can take weeks, and most winter windows close on 31 May. Do not forget the separate faculty aptitude assessment where required. And do not apply to a special program like Groundwater and Global Change expecting it to be free.
Benefits
- No tuition and a low €361 semester contribution
- Semester ticket included
- Large English master's range in technical fields
- Some programs admit in summer as well as winter
Difficulties
- Very early uni-assist deadlines (often 31 May)
- uni-assist fee of €75 plus €30 per extra program
- Aptitude assessments add a second application
- No English-taught bachelor's
Applying from Afghanistan
anabin rates an Afghan bachelor's degree as direct access to all subjects, so master's applicants can apply through uni-assist. The Afghan 12th-grade certificate needs Studienkolleg (taught in German) or two years of university study first. National student visas are handled by the German Embassy in Islamabad. See our Germany student visa guide.
How to apply to TU Dresden step by step
- 1
Find your program in SINS
Note the language level, aptitude assessment rules and the non-EU window.
- 2
Prepare documents early
Certified copies and translations take time; see our documents and legalization guide.
- 3
Apply through uni-assist
For winter 2027/28 most programs close on 31 May 2027. Pay €75 for the first program.
- 4
Complete the aptitude assessment
If your program requires it, send the faculty documents in its own window.
- 5
Prove your funds and apply for the visa
Arrange €11,904 per year and book your visa appointment as soon as you are admitted.
- 6
Enrol and pay €361
Pay the semester contribution, enrol and collect your semester ticket.
Because the windows are short, set reminders: track deadlines for free on FindUniPath and compare more universities in Germany.
Frequently asked questions
Is TU Dresden free for international students?
Yes for regular programs. Non-EU students pay only the semester contribution, which is €361 for winter 2026/27. A few special programs and second degrees charge fees.
Does TU Dresden use uni-assist?
Yes. Non-EU applicants apply only through uni-assist, which charges €75 for the first program and €30 for each additional program in the same semester.
When is the TU Dresden deadline for the winter semester?
For most English master's the recurring non-EU window is 1 April to 31 May. Mathematics and a few other programs accept applications until 15 July.
Does TU Dresden have bachelor's programs in English?
No. All TU Dresden bachelor's programs are taught in German and require DSH-2 or an equivalent C1 German certificate.
What English level does TU Dresden require?
Most English master's ask for B2, such as IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80; Computer Science and Sustainable Electronics and Photonics ask for C1.
Official sources
Checked on 16 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change — always confirm on the official page before you apply.
- 1.TU Dresden — Re-registration and semester contribution
- 2.TU Dresden — Additional information for international applicants
- 3.TU Dresden — Study program database (SINS)
- 4.TU Dresden — SINS program deadlines
- 5.uni-assist — Handling fees
- 6.DAAD — EPOS scholarship (scholarship database)
- 7.DAAD — Finances
- 8.anabin — School certificates with university access
- 9.German Embassy for Afghanistan — Proof of financial means
- 10.DAAD — Side jobs for international students
- 11.DAAD — Career planning after graduation