Dresden is the capital city of the German state of Saxony and its second largest city, after Leipzig. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the border with the Czech Republic. Dresden has a long history as a royal residence, and was known as the Jewel Box for its baroque architecture. The city was badly damaged during World War II but has since been restored to its former glory. Today, Dresden is a thriving cultural centre with a lively nightlife and many tourist attractions.
The Technical University of Dresden (TU Dresden) is one of Germany’s leading universities. It was founded in 1828 and today has around 37,000 students enrolled across its various faculties. The TU Dresden is especially renowned for its engineering and computer science programmes, which rank among the best in Europe. The university also offers excellent facilities for research and development, making it an important player in the hi-tech economy of Saxony.