The higher
education system

Universities are driven by the principles of open research and academic work. Saxony is home to Leipzig University, along with three other technical universities: TU Dresden, Chemnitz University of Technology, and Freiberg University of Mining and Technology (TU Bergakademie Freiberg).

At a university, you can choose from a wide range of degree programmes, from African Studies to Zoology. The technical universities offer a broad range of natural science and engineering subjects, among others. To attend a university or technical university, you normally need a subject-specific or general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur). But even if you don’t have an Abitur, there are still opportunities to study in Saxony. Find out more here.

At a university, the focus is often on theory and basic research, while the five universities of applied sciences in Saxony offer a more practical approach. Many of them cooperate with companies and conduct application-oriented research.

In addition to the traditional, mostly technical or business subjects, you can also study specialised degree programmes such as digital forensics or musical instrument making. The requirement for studying at a university of applied sciences is a general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur), an entrance qualification for studies at a university of applied sciences (Fachhochschulreife), or a subject-specific higher education entrance qualification (Fachabitur).

Talent, ability, and the will to perfect both of these – that’s how many creative young people begin their journey to a university, academy, or college of fine arts. Universities of arts and music train you in the visual, creative, and performing arts and in musical subjects.

A general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) is not necessarily required to study at a university of arts or music. If you can prove your artistic talent in an aptitude test, the doors to the world of fine arts are open to you even without that. It’s not just about fostering your own creativity. Depending on your style, you will have the opportunity to perform with renowned orchestras or tread the boards in theatres.

The Saxony Cooperative State University (DHSN) allows you to gain practical experience working in a company, while studying the theory at university. And you’ll earn your own salary from day one. After completing your university education at one of the seven locations of the Saxony Cooperative State University (DHSN), you will graduate with a bachelor’s, master’s or even ‘Diplom’ degree.

The knowledge you gain and your practical training will be rewarded: graduates of the Saxony Cooperative State University (DHSN) traditionally have excellent chances of landing their dream job at a highly regarded company.

The EHS University of Applied Sciences for Social Work, Education and Nursing (ehs) in Dresden is an independent, officially recognised church-affiliated university. As a university of applied sciences, it combines academically sound teaching with a strong practical focus – particularly in the fields of social work, education, nursing and theology.

It is open to students of all denominations and world views and places particular emphasis on personal support, small learning groups and value-orientated studies. The EHS University of Applied Sciences for Social Work, Education and Nursing (ehs) complements Saxony’s diverse university landscape with a special, socially committed profile.

Universities of administrative sciences in Saxony provide practical preparation for careers in the public sector – both in general administration and in the field of internal security. The Meissen University of Applied Sciences and Further Education Centre qualifies students for roles in Saxony’s state and local administration and offers a dual study programme with a strong practical focus.

The University of Applied Police Sciences Saxony specialises in training police officers. Students acquire technical, legal and practical skills for working in the police force of the Free State of Saxony.

Both institutions combine academically sound teaching with practical career preparation and are committed to providing targeted training for the public sector.

In many cases (possible restriction: numerus clausus), your general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) allows you to study your chosen subject at a university of your choice. You will attend lectures, introductory courses, and seminars, and will do internships – and after a standard three to four-year period of study, you will receive your bachelor’s degree. This is the first academic degree.

A bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for a master’s degree programme. Whether you want to continue studying after your bachelor’s degree or see it as a starting point for a career in business is entirely up to you.

It is up to the individual universities and, in some cases, the faculties to decide whether and to what extent bachelor’s theses or bachelor’s examinations are required for a degree. You also have the choice of concentrating on one major subject in your bachelor’s degree or completing a combined bachelor’s degree in two subjects at the same time.

The bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for starting and ultimately completing a master’s degree. The Master of Arts (MA) is awarded to graduates of language, sports, arts, cultural and social science degrees. The Master of Science (MSc) is awarded to natural scientists, mathematicians, and forestry, nutrition, and agricultural scientists. Students who successfully complete a degree in engineering are often awarded the title Master of Engineering (MEng). If you are studying a fine arts subject, you will be awarded a Master of Fine Arts (MFA). The Master of Music (MMus) is awarded to successful music graduates.

There are as many different master’s degrees as there are ways of completing them. Some require theoretical examinations in combination with a master’s thesis, others require a work of music or a workpiece. By specialising in a Master’s degree, you can acquire specialist expertise that will open up better career opportunities for you later on. A master’s degree also allows you to continue to hone your academic career.

The majority of students in Saxony graduate with a bachelor’s or master’s degree. However, some obtain the state examination at the end of their studies.

The state examination is awarded in the following subjects:

• Human medicine
• Veterinary medicine
• Dentistry
• Pharmacy
• Food chemistry
• Law
• Teaching

Diplom degrees not only have an excellent reputation, they are fully recognised internationally and are equivalent to master’s degrees. Similar to bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes, ECTS points are awarded that allow for comparability. To obtain this degree, you must write a thesis and successfully complete an examination.

You can obtain a Diplom in some degree programmes at Leipzig University, TU Dresden, Chemnitz University of Technology or Freiberg University of Mining and Technology (TU Bergakademie Freiberg). In addition, Dresden University of Fine Arts (HfBK), the Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig (HGB) and Meissen University of Applied Sciences and Further Education Centre also offer this degree.

Have you successfully completed either your state examination or master’s degree or your Diplom programme and would like to pursue a doctorate? In most cases, you will need to study at a university to do this. Graduates of a university of arts or music can only pursue this path if their chosen subject area has a particularly academic focus.

There is also a way for graduates of universities of applied sciences to obtain a doctorate.

Above the doctoral degree stands the title of professor. Completing your habilitation does not automatically make you a professor. Only being appointed to a professorship grants you that title – there is no exam or further coursework involved along the way. This is as high as it goes in the academic hierarchy. A professor is regarded as an authority in their field.

ECTS is the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. This system is used in many European countries. It makes it easier to change universities or have credits from a semester abroad recognised.

For every course you attend and successfully complete, you will receive a set number of credit points. In order to complete a module, you must earn a certain total number of points.

You can check your university’s course catalogue online to see which courses are offered in which semester and are relevant to you. Here are the most common formats:

• Lecture: The subject matter is usually presented by lecturers in a lecture hall. There are also exercises to reinforce what you have heard. At the end of the semester, you will take an exam.
• Seminar: Seminars give you the opportunity to actively participate and explore a topic in greater depth, for example by giving a presentation. Attendance is compulsory.
• Tutorial: Here the subject matter is repeated and explored in greater depth – usually on a voluntary basis. Tutorials are led by tutors who are often themselves students from a higher semester.

Degree programmes are divided into different modules. These are units that deal with a specific topic and consist of various courses such as seminars, tutorials, and lectures. A module usually extends over one to two semesters. You will receive credit points for each completed unit.

In a bachelor’s degree or foundation programme, you will start with the basics, which form the foundation for the rest of your studies. Master’s degrees or advanced degree programmes subsequently deepen and expand your acquired knowledge and provide you with interdisciplinary qualifications. In addition to the compulsory modules that you must take, you can often also choose between various elective modules. This allows you to choose your own individual focus.

There are some degree programmes that are subject to a so-called numerus clausus. This means that the number of study places is limited. The available study places are allocated according to various selection quotas.

The academic year usually consists of a winter semester (WiSe) and a summer semester (SoSe). Each of these lasts six months. The semester in which you can start depends on the university. Many degree programmes only start in the winter semester.

A semester is also divided into the lecture period and the lecture-free period. This means that you usually study for 15 weeks in the winter semester and around 14 weeks in the summer semester. Examinations take place during the lecture-free period, also known as the semester break.

You can find out the specific semester dates on the individual university websites. You will find the exact application or registration deadlines for your degree programme on the university websites, too.