Hydro Science and Engineering (HSE) Dresden University of Technology

Courses are held in English. The Master's thesis is to be written in English.

The MSc programme will convey knowledge about protection and management of water resources in different climatic zones, as well as design and construction of water supply and wastewater treatment. The study course is divided into basic and advanced courses during the first three semesters. The final semester is dedicated to the Master's thesis.
During the basic courses, 30 credits are gained. All students attend lectures on statistics and climatology. In addition, two out of three modules in geodesy, hydromechanics and hydraulics, and two out of three modules in soils, ecology and hydrochemistry have to be selected. Students with a background in natural or environmental sciences should take classes in hydraulic engineering and hydromechanics. Students with a background in civil engineering should rather study ecology and water chemistry.

For advanced courses, students choose modules corresponding to 50 credits out of the following catalogue:

• Aquatic Ecology & Ecotoxicology (5 credits)
• Circular Economy (5 credits)
• Climate Change (5 credits)
• Climate Systems & Climate Modelling (5 credits)
• Drinking Water Supply (5 credits)
• Flood Risk Management 1 & 2 (20 credits)
• Ground Water (5 credits)
• Hydrodynamics (5 credits)
• Integrated Water Resources Management 1 & 2 (5 credits each)
• International Water Issues (5 credits)
• Modelling of Wastewater systems (5 credits)
• Water Quality and Water Treatment (5 credits)
• Soil Water (5 credits)
• Urban Water 1 & 2 (10 credits)
• Watershed Management 1 & 2 (10 credits)
• Communication and Conflict Management (5 credits)
• Internship (5 credits)

In addition, a study project (10 credits) must be completed.

For the Master's course:

• 15 July for all EU citizens
• 31 May via uni-assist for all other international students

For DAAD scholarships (one year prior to intended start):

• 31 August at German Embassy
• 15 October at the university directly

Applications have to be submitted in English.

Application for admission to HSE uni-assist time slot: 1 April to 31 May

The courses follow a modular structure. The individual courses take the form of lectures, seminars, exercises, practical training, project work, specialist excursions, workshops, and student tutorials.
The programme is subdivided into a basic course for one semester and a three-semester advanced course. Two mandatory modules plus twice two modules selected out of three, respectively, make up the basic course. The advanced course consists of two mandatory modules plus five electives to be chosen from ten possible modules (see description of content), which allows the students to specialise, putting emphasis on topics of individual importance. The preparation of a Master's thesis (five months) including a colloquium is the final part of the course.

An optional module allows students to receive 5 ECTS credits for an internship.

No tuition fees

Currently, students pay ~300 EUR per semester (i.e. for six months). This includes a ticket for public transport and regional trains in all of Germany. Additionally, students can use a bike rental service all over the city for free for 30 min. 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.

Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree (graduation better than average) in natural sciences or engineering disciplines or similar, with a standard course length of at least six semesters. Good basic knowledge of mathematics and other natural sciences is required.
Professional experience is not essential for the course but appreciated and treated as an additional criterion.

Applicants must prove sufficient proficiency in English. In this context, command of English is mandatory at level C1 (very good upper intermediate level) according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The most widely recognised international test:

• IELTS: required level minimum 6.5 and 6.0 in all categories

Certificates of equivalent standard (four categories: speaking, writing, reading and listening) will be considered.

For the Master's course:

• 15 July for all EU citizens
• 31 May via uni-assist for all other international students

For DAAD scholarships (one year prior to intended start):

• 31 August at German Embassy
• 15 October at the university directly

Applications have to be submitted in English.

Application for admission to HSE uni-assist time slot: 1 April to 31 May

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

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 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 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 help optimise their CV.

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

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