The department (Referat Hochschulpolitik) deals with current higher education policy issues of students, especially with study-related topics at the university. Here, all students of the TU Ilmenau are represented vis-à-vis the state and federal governments as well as in state-wide committees, e.g. in the KTS, the Conference of Thuringian Student Unions.

Furthermore, the department tries to coordinate the important decisions in the committees, for example in the revision of study documents or the conception of new study programs. It is also important to maintain the quality of education and thereby ensure highly recognized degrees. A general concern is to prevent general tuition fees and to maintain the right of students to have a say. The department also organizes various creative protest actions, such as handing over our statement on the new Thuringian Higher Education Act, organizing demonstrations, boycotts, statements, protest actions and panel discussions.

Higher education policy does not always take place only in public protest actions, it requires a lot of prudence and also steadfastness, but above all negotiating skills. Higher education policy also includes networking. The insights into other universities and the exchange with many different people one gets to know in connection with the work in the department bring exciting experiences with them.