Computer Science (Informatik) is one of the largest bachelor's programmes at TU Dresden, a university of technology in Saxony with a strong computing research base. It is a German-taught degree. For international applicants, the main requirement is German proficiency, not English, and recent admission listings suggest the programme is open to applicants who meet the formal entry requirements without a grade cut-off.
This guide covers the acceptance picture, the semester contribution, admission requirements, the German test you need, and what the German post-study permit means for graduates.
TU Dresden Computer Science Acceptance Rate
TU Dresden does not publish an acceptance rate for the Informatik B.Sc., and we did not find an official figure. The programme's admission status is the more useful signal. Recent listings indicate that the Informatik B.Sc. is not admission-restricted (zulassungsfrei) for the winter semester 2025/26, and that most of the university's computer science programmes are NC-free.
Admission rules can change from year to year, so confirm the current status on the faculty's application pages before you plan around it.
Tuition and Cost of Attendance
TU Dresden does not charge tuition for a first degree, including bachelor's programmes, and Saxony does not charge general tuition fees. Non-EU students pay the same semester contribution as everyone else. Saxon law allows universities to charge tuition to non-EU students, and a proposal from a state faction in 2026 would require EUR 1,500 per semester. That proposal is not in force, so check the university's current tuition page before you apply.
- Semester contribution: The fee for the 2026/27 winter semester is EUR 361.00, according to student council information. It includes a student body contribution, which covers a semester transport ticket, and a student services contribution.
- Proof of funds: A non-EU student applying for a German study visa must show funds. The 2026 blocked account requirement is EUR 11,904 per year (about EUR 992 per month), per German Federal Foreign Office and DAAD guidance. A blocked account typically costs EUR 70 to EUR 150 to set up.
- Living costs in Dresden: We could not verify a current city-specific figure from an official source, so check current rent estimates before you commit to a flat.
Admission Requirements
For international applicants to the Informatik B.Sc., the core requirements are:
- A higher education entrance qualification recognised as equivalent to the German Abitur, with official transcripts and certified translations
- German language proof at the level set for bachelor's study, which TU Dresden lists as DSH-2 or TestDaF level 4 among the accepted certificates
- Application through TU Dresden's application portal by the deadline for admission-free programmes
- Proof of funds for the student visa, if you are applying from outside the EU or EEA
English proficiency does not gate this bachelor's degree. The German certificate does.
How to Get Into TU Dresden's Computer Science B.Sc.
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Plan around German, not English. The programme is German-taught, so a strong IELTS or TOEFL score will not replace the German certificate.
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Book a recognised German certificate early. TestDaF level 4 and DSH-2 are the routes the university lists for bachelor's study. Build in time for preparation and at least one retake.
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Confirm the admission status for your intake. Recent listings show the programme as admission-free, so confirm that for the year you plan to start.
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Apply by the deadline for your programme. Confirm the date on the faculty's application pages, since deadlines can differ by programme and intake.
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Arrange your blocked account and semester contribution together. Both are part of your first-year budget, and the blocked account is needed for the student visa.
For context on the wider university, see the TU Dresden guide.
English Proficiency and German Language Requirements
The Informatik B.Sc. is taught in German, so IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo are not the tests that gate admission. The main German certificates the university accepts for bachelor's study include DSH-2, TestDaF level 4, and DSD II.
If you want an English-taught computer science degree, look at TU Dresden's master's programmes instead. The Computer Science master's requires English at C1 level, and other master's programmes set their own requirements.
Career Outcomes and Post-Study Relevance
Germany's main post-study route is the job-seeker residence permit under Section 20 of the Residence Act. After completing a degree in Germany, you can receive a residence permit of up to 18 months to look for qualified work, provided your livelihood is secured during that time. The permit is not extendable, and during it you may take up employment of any type. Before it expires, you need to move into a qualifying job or another eligible residence title. Apply at the local immigration office before your student status ends, and confirm current rules on make-it-in-germany.com or the BAMF website.
TU Dresden does not publish a computer-science-specific employment rate or starting salary in the sources we reviewed, so we have not quoted one. Your German level will shape the range of roles open to you in Germany, since many employers outside international tech teams work in German.
FAQ
Is TU Dresden's Computer Science bachelor's taught in English? No. The B.Sc. is taught in German, so you need a recognised German certificate. English-taught computer science options are mainly at master's level.
What IELTS score do I need for TU Dresden Computer Science? You do not need IELTS for the bachelor's degree. You need German proof, such as DSH-2 or TestDaF level 4.
Is Computer Science at TU Dresden competitive? Recent listings show the Informatik B.Sc. as admission-free, so eligible applicants can be admitted without a grade cut-off. Confirm the status for your intake.
Does TU Dresden charge tuition for international students? Not for a first degree as of 2026. You pay a semester contribution of EUR 361.00 for the 2026/27 winter semester. A proposal to introduce tuition for non-EU students is not in force, so check the current position before you apply.
Can I stay in Germany after graduating? Yes. Under Section 20 of the Residence Act, graduates can receive a job-seeker residence permit of up to 18 months. It is not extendable, so plan to move into a qualifying job or another residence title before it expires.