My academic experience at TU Dresden

I love my university, TU Dresden and is grateful for the opportunities it has given me. The university has a wonderful library located next to it. Students have access to a lot of events and activities at the university. The professors and faculty members are well-versed in their fields with interesting research taking place in the background where students can contribute too. Students can stay at student dorms provided by the university at lower rents compared to outside. The university is located at Dresden in the state of Saxony where history and industry thrive. Additionally, the cost of living is comparatively lower at Dresden than other popular cities in Germany. I totally recommend the master's program of nanoelectronic systems to all those seeking a good career in the semiconductor industry.

The course curriculum is well structured and is updated on a regular basis (every semester) as per industry requirements. Students are free to choose modules based on their field of interest like design, technology or application in this course. The course offers access to state-of-the-art technology labs related to semiconductor synthesis. The modules provide hands-on experience through regular tutorials, projects etc. Often, students with exceptional grades in a module are invited to work in the research projects under the specific professor.

The faculty and staff are very welcoming and take feedback at the end of the modules to improve the module structure. Every professor has a strong background in their respective fields from years of experience in the industry or their own research team. Professors encourage students to perform well in the modules and thereby earn experience by working in live research projects under the professor.

There are lots of events happening at the university. There are many student initiatives in the campus for student welfare and academics. The university has one of the largest libraries in Germany. Students have access to lots of sport activities at the university which they should register at the beginning of the semester. Throughout the campus, you get access to Wi-Fi.

Mostly students tend to go for full-time opportunities after graduation. Some tend to take the next steps in the academic field by doing PhDs. There isn't the concept of placements at the university level. But there are numerous company visits offered by the university which helps students in understanding the projects and facilities at companies in the semiconductor industry. Students take up technical part-time jobs at the university or private firms during the course or take a semester-break for internship to earn experience in their preferred field of interests. Students are welcome to take up projects and thesis offered under the professors during the course which makes them well prepared for a full-time opportunity after the course. This placement concept applies to most of the technical universities in Germany.

The university has multiple student dormitories for accommodating students. One has a wide variety of options like single, two or three sharing and multiple sharing apartments. Depending on the size of the room one chooses, one pays anywhere between 200 to 350 euros per month. The rooms are furnished and has access to Wi-Fi. The kitchens and restrooms are shared, if one does not choose single apartments.

One needs to have performed a bachelor's degree in the electronics domain with decent grades. Students with CGPA (as per Indian grading system) above 8 has a better chance of getting admission. "Letter of Motivation, Letter of Recommendation (LOR) and CV were the documents I had submitted in the application process. In the letter of motivation, I mentioned why I chose the university and the master's program at the university additional to my future goals post my master's program. I submitted three LORs, two from my lecturers at the university where I did my bachelor's and one from my mentor at workplace. I did not have any interview or tests in the admission process. But, one of my friends had an interview, where the interviewers checked for his knowledge in the fundamentals from the bachelor's program.

There is no tuition fee at the university. Every semester, one has to pay about 300 euros for covering the expenses of transportation (i.e. the traveling expenses within the city are covered for a semester with some exceptions).