About Technische Universität Chemnitz
Technische Universität Chemnitz is a public research university in the state of Saxony, founded in 1836 as the Königliche Gewerbschule Chemnitz. It is the third-largest university in Saxony and comprises eight faculties spanning engineering, natural sciences, computer science, mathematics, economics, humanities, philosophy, and human and social sciences.
As of November 2025, the university enrols 8,447 students in total, of whom 2,819 are international students — representing approximately 33% of the student body. Students come from 94 countries. The university offers 97 degree programmes and maintains partnerships with 120 universities worldwide. It is a member of the Across European University Alliance.
Research at TU Chemnitz is organised around three strategic areas: Materials and Intelligent Systems; Resource-Efficient Production and Lightweight Construction; and Humans and Technology. Major research centres on campus include MERGE, MAIN, and MeTech.
Key facts
- Founded
- 1836
- Students
- 8,447
- International
- ~33% (2,819 international students from 94 countries, as of November 2025)
- Faculties
- 8
33% international student body — one of the highest international shares among German public universities (as of November 2025)
Founded in 1836; one of Germany's oldest technical higher education institutions
8 faculties with 97 degree programmes across engineering, sciences, economics, and humanities
No tuition fees for any nationality; semester contribution ~€340 includes a nationwide public-transport ticket
Member of the Across European University Alliance (9 European partner universities)
Host city Chemnitz was European Capital of Culture 2025, with notably low student cost of living compared to western German cities
Admissions & costs
Tuition & fees
TU Chemnitz charges no tuition fees for bachelor's and consecutive master's programmes for any student, regardless of nationality — Saxony does not levy non-EU tuition surcharges. All enrolled students pay a mandatory semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) of €340.50 for Winter Semester 2026/27, which includes: student services contribution (€93.00), student union fee (€17.90), cultural ticket (€2.80), and the Germany-wide semester public-transport ticket (€226.80). A long-term study fee of €500 per semester applies to students who exceed the standard programme duration by more than four semesters.
Admission requirements
International applicants must hold a school-leaving certificate or undergraduate degree recognised as equivalent to the German Hochschulreife or bachelor's degree. Equivalency is assessed via the anabin database (KMK). German-taught programmes require proof of German language proficiency (typically TestDaF TDN 4, DSH-2, or equivalent Goethe/telc certificate at C1 level); English-taught programmes require recognised English proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL — specific thresholds vary by programme). Applicants from India, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), and Vietnam must hold a valid APS certificate (Akademische Prüfstelle) before applying. For Winter Semester 2026/27, the application window for international applicants runs 1 April 2026 to 15 July 2026. For Summer Semester 2026, the window ran 1 October 2025 to 15 January 2026. Applications are submitted via the university's online campus portal at campus.tu-chemnitz.de.
Application deadlines
Winter Semester (October start): international applicants 1 April – 15 July; unrestricted programmes 25 May – 18 September; restricted programmes 25 May – 15 July. Summer Semester (April start): international applicants 1 October – 15 January; unrestricted programmes 10 November – 13 March; restricted programmes 10 November – 15 January. Applications are submitted through the campus portal at campus.tu-chemnitz.de.
Languages of instruction
The majority of degree programmes are taught in German. A growing number of master's programmes are available in English, particularly in engineering and natural sciences. The Language Centre (Zentrum für Fremdsprachen) offers semester German courses at various levels for international students. The International University Centre (IUZ) also coordinates German language support for incoming students.
Campuses & locations
Main campus — University Library, Rectorate, Faculty of Informatics, student services
Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Institute for Psychology
Faculties of Mathematics, Philosophy, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Natural Sciences; central lecture hall building
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering institutes — materials science and manufacturing systems research
University sports and health promotion facilities
Living in Sachsen
Chemnitz is a city of approximately 245,000 inhabitants in southwestern Saxony, located roughly 80 km southeast of Leipzig and 70 km west of Dresden. It is Germany's third-largest city in the former East German states after Berlin and Leipzig. Chemnitz served as European Capital of Culture 2025 (as C the World), which brought significant cultural investment to the city. The cost of living is considerably lower than in Munich, Hamburg, or Berlin, making it an affordable location for students. The city is well connected by rail and motorway to the rest of Saxony.
Student life & support
Student housing in Chemnitz and the surrounding region is managed by the Studentenwerk Chemnitz-Zwickau (swcz.de), which operates dormitories in Chemnitz, Zwickau, and Schneeberg. Dormitory rents are all-inclusive (utilities, fitness studio access). Applications are made through the Studentenwerk online portal. The International University Centre (IUZ) at TU Chemnitz runs a buddy programme (Patenprogramm) matching newly arrived international students with experienced students. The Language Centre offers German courses starting each semester, with registration opening approximately two weeks before semester start. The student council (StuRa) is active on campus, and students have access to university sports facilities (USZ) and a career service with a job board.
47
Accredited Programmes
17
Bachelor/Bakkalaureus
30
Master
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