Chemistry Dresden University of Technology

Graduates of the Master’s degree programme in chemistry have a broad command of theoretical and practical fundamentals and corresponding knowledge of methods and material. They are able to address topics in the field of chemistry with a critical eye and in a scientifically sound manner. They can also solve tasks independently and work in an interdisciplinary capacity, thereby contributing to development in this field. At the same time, graduates can recognise the relevance of scientific fields closely related to chemistry and use these effectively. In addition to subject-specific skills, graduates also possess key qualifications relevant to their profession, such as communication skills, teamwork, effective project planning and work organisation.

Students of this degree programme graduate with the academic title "Master of Science", giving them a good basis for pursuing further qualifications, in particular doctoral studies. This will increase their chances of starting an independent and self-directed profession. Following the tradition of our university, our professors maintain contacts with leading chemical companies in Germany, especially for your benefit.

Graduates possess the in-depth specialist knowledge required for professional practice, understand interdisciplinary links and are qualified for highly specialised activities, for example, working at teaching and research institutions, in industry and with public authorities.

The programme is organised in modules. The curriculum is divided into three semesters. The fourth semester is dedicated to completing the Master’s thesis. The programme generally comprises elective compulsory modules totalling 70 credits (ECTS). Students select their specialisation within the module groups. Students must achieve 20 to 30 credits (ECTS) in each of the “Materials Chemistry” (M) and “Biologically-Oriented Chemistry” (B) module groups. Modules of the “Cross-Sectional Field” module group are assigned half of the credit points to be achieved in groups M and B. Students must select modules with a total of ten credits from the “Practical Application” module group. They must also select modules totalling between five and ten credits from the “General Education Modules” group.

The elective compulsory modules are supplemented by the compulsory modules “Advanced Research Internship” and “Research Lab Class,” which each total 10 credits (ECTS). The compulsory Master’s thesis is worth 25 credits (ECTS) and the corresponding colloquium is awarded 5 credits (ECTS).

The appropriate allocation of the modules to the individual semesters – the observance of which makes it possible to complete the programme within the standard period of study – as well as the type and scope of each of the courses are defined in the study schedule. Content and qualification objectives, teaching and learning methods, requirements, usability, frequency, workload, and duration of the individual modules are listed in the module descriptions.

The programme includes two mandatory research internships offered by the chemistry research groups at TU Dresden. In addition, a number of the programme modules include laboratory practicals. An internship at a company is not required.

Application periods for international students with a first qualifying degree from a country outside the European Union:

• 1 April to 31 May for the winter intake (semester start 1 October)
• 1 October to 30 November for the summer intake (semester start 1 April)

Application periods for international students with a first qualifying degree from a European Union country:

• 1 April to 15 July for the winter intake (semester start 1 October)
• 1 October to 15 January for the summer intake (semester start 1 April)

Admission restrictions: open admission with aptitude assessment

The admission requirements for this degree programme are:

• A Bachelor’s degree in chemistry
• Proficiency in English at the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
• Academic qualifications as specified in the Aptitude Assessment Regulations on the faculty’s website
  The aptitude assessment is based on previous academic performance and proof of qualifications. There will be no interview or examination requiring in-person attendance.

For further information on the admission requirements, please see the programme description and the FAQ website.

Currently, students pay approx. 340 EUR per semester (i.e. for six months). This includes a ticket for public transport and regional trains in all of Germany ("Deutschlandticket"). Additionally, students can use a bike rental service all over the city for free for 30 minutes. The contribution also assures concessions in the university cafeterias and offers benefits (e.g. price reductions) for many cultural and leisure activities in Dresden.

Dresden offers high quality of living at very moderate costs. Currently, students should expect to pay around 850 EUR per month including rent, food, insurance and basic expenses. This figure is relatively low compared to other big German cities.

In order to top up their budget, some students may want to look for temporary work in Dresden. If so, different regulations apply for students from EU member states, countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, and students from outside the European Union and the EEA area. In addition, restrictions on the duration of employment may apply. Professors, lecturers and group leaders involved in the Master's programme may offer students the possibility of working as academic assistants. However, living expenses can be financed only partially through a job as an academic assistant.

It is possible to apply for scholarships. Information on scholarships and funding for students is summarised on a dedicated web page of the TU Dresden.

TU Dresden offers plenty of counselling and training within its Career Service to help students with finding professional orientation. They offer workshops to equip students with professional skills and aid to optimise their CVs.

Additionally, there are special workshops for international students to get to know the German and Saxon job market and network.

It is still relatively easy to find affordable accommodation in Dresden. Accommodation is available either via the "Studentenwerk Dresden" or on the private market. Rent for a single room in a student residence is approx. 250 EUR per month.
Private housing can be found online. We recommend that you move into a hall of residence at the beginning of your stay in Dresden. Subsequently, you can look for a place on the private market or in a shared apartment, which is known as a "Wohngemeinschaft" in German.

TU Dresden is one of eleven Universities of Excellence in Germany and is among the top universities in Europe: strong in research, it offers first-rate programmes with an overwhelming diversity, with close ties to culture, industry and society. As a modern comprehensive university with five schools (17 faculties), it offers a wide academic range of programmes. With approximately 29,000 students (21% international) TU Dresden is the largest technical university in Saxony. It enjoys an outstanding national and international reputation for research in natural and engineering sciences.

One of the most prominent characteristics of TU Dresden is its dynamic development – a process that has been going on for years and will continue into the future. As a collaborative university, TU Dresden closely cooperates with external research institutions as well as cultural, industrial, and social organisations. Students also benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration with a focus on practical outcomes. Teaching and research follow the principle of involving both students and graduates in current research early on.

The capital of the Free State of Saxony, Dresden, stands majestically on the Elbe River. The fourth-largest city by area in Germany, Dresden is home not just to riverside palaces, Baroque churches and world-class museums but also to a proud history of science and technology. This finds continuity into the present with the DRESDEN-concept, an alliance of 41 research institutions in and around Dresden of which TUD is a proud and prominent member.

Whether you are interested in theatre, opera, cabaret or cinema, or if you enjoy a stroll through museums or a night out at the pub, Dresden has something to offer everyone. Students also get an opportunity to be active in the many sports facilities in Dresden, including TU Dresden’s own, or in the surrounding nature of the Elbe landscape, the Elbe Sandstone Mountains (Elbsandsteingebirge) or the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge). The surroundings of the city have plenty to offer and the city is an excellent hub from which to explore Berlin, Prague, Leipzig and Wrocław.