Study in Chemnitz

Why Chemnitz? That's a question that some people will surely ask themselves, as the city still has an image of being grey, dull and unwelcoming. However, if you ask someone who studies here, things start to look brighter. Chemnitz offers unusual degree courses and an affordable lifestyle, as well as a practice-oriented education. These are already three good reasons to study here.

In terms of orientation, the Chemnitz University of Technology focuses on the natural sciences and technology. However, you can study economics and social science just as effectively here, and the philosophy course offered by the university also enjoys a good reputation. In the 2009-2010 winter semester, there were around 10,000 students enrolled here, which isn't a huge number by university standards. But it's also not what you'd call a countryside campus. The university's seven faculties are spread over four locations in the city. The main campus is located in Reichenhainer Strasse, where you will also find the new canteen, the student union and student dormitories. The historic, oldest part of the university is in the city center, opposite the train station. It includes a part of the university's administrative offices and the main library.

A good mix

The history of the University of Technology goes back to 1836, when the Royal Vocational School Chemnitz was founded. The industries of today are the university's courses of tomorrow, offered to students as multidisciplinary packages. For example, European studies can be combined with economics, cultural studies and social science subjects. You can also pursue a joint course of study like micro engineering with mechatronics. A unique course here is the international degree in mathematics, which leads to an internationally recognized master's degree after four semesters, and after a further six semesters, to a PhD. Since 2007, all of the university's courses have been made compatible with the international bachelor and master's system. Even the students themselves are partly international. Every year, around 750 foreign students come to study in Chemnitz. In addition to this, the university maintains ties with over 100 tertiary institutions on all continents.

There's another good reason to study in Chemnitz: you finish sooner. Most of the degree courses are shorter than the German national average. Especially quick are the psychology, physics, information technology and mechanical engineering degrees.

Ideas for the world market

A lot of research goes on in Chemnitz. Whether it's micro-sensors for cars or low-vibration jackhammers, it's often just a short path from an idea to an internationally marketable product. Teaching and research have close connections with industry here. The students get to know both the lab and the factory floor at an early stage - theory and practice are combined. Evidence of the outstanding research that is done here can be seen in the two Fraunhofer Society institutes that are based in Chemnitz.

Author: Sven Naebrich