The Dresden University of Technology (TUD), founded in 1828, is one of the largest technical universities in Germany and is among the eleven universities of excellence in the country. With over 30,000 enrolled students, of which around 18% are from abroad, and around 9,000 staff from 89 nations, TUD is a significant player in the German and European higher education landscape.

The university has 17 faculties organized into five overarching areas. In total, 119 degree programmes are offered. TUD combines natural sciences, engineering, humanities, cultural studies, social sciences, and medicine in an interdisciplinary research and educational approach. Strategic research priorities include health sciences, biomedicine and bioengineering, information technology and microelectronics, materials science and engineering, energy, mobility and the environment, as well as culture and social change.

The excellence of TU Dresden is underscored by its successful clusters of excellence. Since 2019, the excellence strategy of the federal government and the states has supported three new clusters: "PoL: Physics of Life", "ct.qmat: Complexity and Topology in Quantum Materials", and "CeTI: Center for Tactile Internet with Human-Machine Interaction". These focus on biological self-organization, the development of novel materials for high-tech applications, and the realization of cyber-physical real-time communication networks, among other topics.

The main campus of the university is located in the Dresden district of Südvorstadt. Other important locations are situated in Johannstadt, Tharandt, Pirna, and Zittau. The campus is easily accessible by public transport and features a diverse architectural landscape ranging from historical 19th-century buildings to modern structures.

An outstanding feature of TUD is its offering in the field of distance learning in civil engineering. As the only university in Germany, it provides a corresponding technical distance learning programme, particularly suitable for working professionals. Currently, over 570 distance learning students are enrolled. The study offer includes a bachelor's degree programme and an advanced diploma programme. Course content is delivered by regular lecturers, supplemented by digital learning materials, videos, and optional on-site events. Examinations are taken at the TU Dresden campus.

Furthermore, TU Dresden is a partner in DRESDEN-concept (DDc), a network of leading research and cultural institutions in the region. This network strengthens interdisciplinary collaboration and promotes innovation at the Dresden location.