TU Dresden (Technische Universität Dresden, TUD) is a public university in Saxony with about 29,000 students, around 21 per cent of them international, and 121 degree programmes.[1] It is ranked 185th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and has been a University of Excellence since 2012.[2][3]
The university charges no general tuition fee; for winter semester 2026/27 the semester contribution is €361.00 for on-campus students, including a semester ticket.[4][5] Fees apply to long-term students (€500 per semester), second degrees (€350) and some advanced programmes.[5] International applicants with a foreign certificate apply through uni-assist.[6]
Key facts
| Official name | Technische Universität Dresden (TUD Dresden University of Technology) |
| Location | Dresden, Saxony[7] |
| Type | Corporation under public law (state university)[7] |
| Founded | 1828 as the Technical Educational Institute; university status and present name since 1961[8] |
| Students | About 29,000, around 21% international, from 128 countries[1] |
| Doctoral candidates | 6,500, 27% of them international[1] |
| Faculties | 17 faculties in 5 schools, plus teacher training[1] |
| Degree programmes | 121, of which 28 are taught in English; 26 double-degree programmes[1] |
| Professors and staff | Around 600 professors; about 8,400 employees[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 185th, up more than 60 places on 2024[2] |
| Excellence Strategy | University of Excellence since 2012; funding confirmed on 11 March 2026 for seven more years from 1 January 2027[3] |
| Semester contribution, winter semester 2026/27 | €361.00 for on-campus students (includes the €234.18 semester ticket)[4] |
| Tuition | No general tuition fee; fees for long-term students, second degrees and some advanced programmes[5] |
| Official website | tu-dresden.de |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About TU Dresden
TU Dresden traces its origins to the Technical Educational Institute (Technische Bildungsanstalt), founded in 1828. It became the Royal Saxon Technical College in 1890 and received university status and its present name in 1961.[8] Legally it is a corporation under public law.[7]
It has about 29,000 students, around 21 per cent of them international, from 128 countries, and 6,500 doctoral candidates. Its 17 faculties are grouped into five schools plus teacher training; about 600 professors work among roughly 1,200 tenured academic staff.[1]
How is TU Dresden ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, TU Dresden is 185th, up more than 60 places on 2024, according to its press release of 19 June 2026. The university says it is again among the ten best universities in Germany but gives no exact national rank.[2] A news article lists the position as a tie at 185.[9] The release also names the subject ranking QS by Subject 2026: Engineering & Technology 94th, Materials Science 35th, Physics 100th and Civil Engineering in the 51–100 range.[2]
Excellence Strategy
TU Dresden has been a University of Excellence since 2012. On 11 March 2026 it was among ten locations whose funding was confirmed for seven more years from 1 January 2027.[3] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at TU Dresden?
The university offers 121 degree programmes, including 28 taught in English and 26 double-degree programmes.[1] The 17 faculties are grouped into five schools plus teacher training.[1] English-taught master’s programmes do not require proof of German.[10] Check the programme page of your degree for its language of instruction and special requirements.
How much does TU Dresden cost?
| Group | Semester contribution, winter semester 2026/27 |
|---|---|
| On-campus students | €361.00 |
| Distance learning | €226.82 (plus €234.18 if you apply for the semester ticket) |
| Non-degree guest students | €14.09 minimum |
The on-campus amount of €361.00 consists of €112.73 for the Studierendenwerk and €248.27 for the student body, which includes the €234.18 semester ticket and bike-sharing.[4]
Tuition fees
The semester contribution is not a tuition fee.[10] The university says that only some students pay tuition under § 13 of the Saxon Higher Education Act: long-term students (€500 per semester after exceeding the regular study period by more than four semesters) and second-degree students (€350 per semester if the total study time exceeds the first degree’s regular period by six semesters; master’s students following a prerequisite bachelor’s programme are exempt). Distance learning carries a fee of €100 per semester. For advanced (weiterbildende) programmes the fee is stated in the study information system (SINS) under the programme.[5]
For living costs, see the Study in Germany guide and our Germany overview.
How do you apply to TU Dresden?
Applicants with a foreign school or university certificate apply through uni-assist, the central application service for international applicants. Students already at TU Dresden who change course use the student portal instead.[6]
- Check country-specific requirements in the DAAD or anabin databases.
- Create the application in the uni-assist portal and upload all documents.
- Pay the uni-assist handling fee; the application is not processed before.
- Uni-assist checks the file and forwards it to TU Dresden, which takes the final admission decision.[6]
Documents include a short CV, a passport copy, scans of certificates with sworn translations (German or English) and, where required, proof of German. Applicants with Chinese, Vietnamese or Indian certificates must also submit the APS certificate from the German embassy.[6] Processing at uni-assist takes about 4–6 weeks; exchange students apply directly to the university.[10] We give no deadlines here because they differ by programme and change every year.
Which language level do you need?
German-taught degree programmes require a language test for university admission at level C1 (CEFR, the European scale from A1 to C2). English-taught master’s programmes do not require proof of German; the university recommends at least A2 German for everyday life.[10] The page does not list which certificates are accepted, so ask your programme before you book a test. The preparatory German course (Propädeutikum) requires an entrance test at B2.[10]
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TU Dresden free for international students?
How is TU Dresden ranked?
It is 185th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up more than 60 places on 2024, and the university says it is again among the ten best in Germany.[2]
Do I need German to study at TU Dresden?
For German-taught programmes you need a university-admission language test at level C1. English-taught master’s programmes do not require German.[10]
How do I apply as an international student?
With a foreign certificate you apply through uni-assist, which forwards complete applications to TU Dresden for the admission decision.[6]
Is TU Dresden a University of Excellence?
Yes, since 2012. On 11 March 2026 its funding was confirmed for seven more years from 1 January 2027.[3]
More about studying in Germany
- Germany: best universities
- Study in Germany: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Germany
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- Heidelberg University
- Humboldt University of Berlin
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
- RWTH Aachen University
- Technical University of Berlin
- Technical University of Munich
- TU Darmstadt
- University of Bonn
- University of Cologne
- University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)
- University of Freiburg
- University of Göttingen
- University of Hamburg
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- University of Münster
- University of Stuttgart
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Sources
[1] TU Dresden: Facts and figures at a glance (page last changed 23 Oct 2026; reference date of student figures not stated)
[2] TU Dresden: QS Ranking 2027, TUD once again ranks among Germany’s top ten universities (press release of 19 Jun 2026 (in German); QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access)
[3] Silicon Saxony: DFG und Wissenschaftsrat, zehn Exzellenzstandorte werden weitergefördert (article of 11 Mar 2026 reproducing the DFG/Council of Science and Humanities decision)
[4] TU Dresden: Re-registration for the semester (semester contribution) (page last updated 19 Oct 2026)
[5] TU Dresden: Studiengebühren (page last changed 29 Jul 2026 (in German))
[6] TU Dresden: Application procedure via uni-assist (page last modified 21 Jul 2026)
[7] TU Dresden: Imprint (page without a date)
[8] Wikipedia: TU Dresden (history and names)
[9] IamExpat: TUM only German university to make top 50 in QS ranking (article of 19 Jun 2026; lists TU Dresden as =185)
[10] TU Dresden: FAQ for international students (Informationen von A–Z) (page last updated 13 May 2025 (in German))
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.