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The river bank of the Elbe River in Dresden with the Augustus bridge and the Frauenkirche church in the background
©Animaflora PicsStock – stock.adobe.com

Studying in Dresden

Dresden offers you 46 degree programmes in English at 11 higher education institutions.

With its compelling history, Dresden is one of the most important cities in eastern Germany. The mixture between baroque architecture and modern buildings creates a unique townscape. The Elbe shore and the well-visited city parks complete the vivid atmosphere of Saxony’s capital. As home to important and modern higher education institutions, Dresden is an excellent place to study.

Welcome to Dresden! The city has a lot to offer both historically and culturally. Numerous museums are filled with valuable and diverse pieces that are presented in ever-changing exhibitions. The streets and buildings also reflect the many historical and architectural epochs. The Frauenkirche, for example, is a reminder not only of the destruction during the Second World War but also of reconstruction and new beginnings. However, the city not only has a lot of history but also exudes a young and dynamic attitude to life through its 45,000 students.

Here you will find everything you need to study successfully: short distances, low rent and living costs, good public transport connections and many opportunities to spend your free time. You can choose between several higher education institutions, each with a different focus and courses of study. Dresden is truly a centre of science and culture and home to internationally renowned institutions. Research alliances and networks between business, science and culture are constantly advancing. You’ll directly benefit from this: the higher education institutions are not only at the cutting edge of technology and science, but numerous (scientific) events and lectures are also offered outside the institutions.

Life in Dresden

563,000 residents

  • High-speed train connections

    In close vicinity

  • International airport

    Leipzig/Halle airport in 114 km distance

  • Coast

    Baltic Sea in 400 km distance

  • Mountain range

    Ore Mountains in 30 km distance

  • Other countries

    Czech Republic in 40 km distance

  • Attractions within 100 km

    • Elbschlösser Castles in 5 km distance

    • Blaues Wunder bridge in 6 km distance

    • Dresden suspension railway in close vicinity

    • Meissen in 23 km distance

    • Moritzburg Castle in 14 km distance

11 higher education institutions in Dresden

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Subject groups of degree programmes in Dresden

There is a wide range of degree programmes in Dresden. Here you can see the main subject groups. Currently, degree programmes in Dresden are mainly offered in the subject group Teaching Degrees, followed by Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Natural Sciences. Find out more information here about the subject groups and degree programmes offered in Germany.
  • 11

    Agricultural and Forest Sciences

  • 43

    Humanities and Social Sciences

  • 64

    Mathematics, Natural Sciences

  • 60

    Art, Music, Design

  • 20

    Language and Cultural Studies

  • 30

    Medicine, Health Sciences

  • 58

    Economic Sciences, Law

  • 78

    Engineering Sciences

  • 81

    Teaching Degrees

View of a green avenue with people on a summer's day
©ArTo – stock.adobe.com

Stroll and take a break under the trees on the Hauptstraße in Dresden.

As the name suggests, the famous Dresdner Christstollen (traditional Christmas fruit bread) was invented here.

Good news for all those who like to be in nature to balance out the stress of everyday life: There is no shortage of opportunities for hiking or cycling tours in the Elbe Valley around Dresden. Not only can you take a break from your lecture routine and recharge your batteries, but you can also discover a lot. The routes run along lakes, streams, castles and villages. Specific themed routes are also available, such as wine walks along the vineyards. And there is something for every level of difficulty. The more challenging routes are mainly found in Saxon Switzerland, a sandstone mountain range with rock formations that make it a popular destination for excursions.

It doesn't have to take up the whole day, however, if you want to enjoy nature. For relaxing after class, simply drop by the green meadows along the Elbe. Here you can stroll, picnic or enjoy the beauty of Dresden's silhouette in the evening hours. The green heart of the city is the Große Garten. This park is a natural and cultural oasis in the middle of the city. Besides concerts and events in the palace, you can marvel at the horticultural finesse and relax by one of the lakes.

Dresden can also be loud and colourful, especially when one of the many festivals is taking place in the city. Whether film festival, dance week, music festival, international short film festival or city festival, people flock enthusiastically to Dresden to celebrate together. By the way, special summer highlights are the Film Nights on the banks of the Elbe and the Schaubuden Festival in the Neustadt district.

The Neustadt with its creative and urban style attracts students in particular. You can relax in the many bars and cafés as well as the colourful and lively courtyards. Or find many studios and small shops that may hold some treasures just waiting to be discovered by you.

A young woman walks through the city
A young woman walks through the cityJan von Allwörden / DAAD

You can find more information at study-in-germany.de

For more information on living and studying in Dresden, visit the city portraits at study-in-germany.de