- Founded
- 1780
- Students
- 41,200
- Programmes
- 314
About Universität Münster
The University of Münster (Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster) is one of the largest universities in Germany, with approximately 41,200 enrolled students. It is a member of the U15 group of major German research universities and holds two Clusters of Excellence: "Mathematics Münster: Dynamics - Geometry - Structure" and "Religion and Politics". The university participates in Ulysseus, a European Commission-funded Erasmus+ university network.
Spanning 15 faculties, the university covers a broad disciplinary range including theology, law, medicine, economics, natural sciences, humanities, and the arts. It maintains strong third-party research funding and a growing portfolio of international degree programmes. The university is located in the city centre of Münster, with its main address at Schlossplatz 2.
The university hosts approximately 3,500 international undergraduate and doctoral students alongside around 750 international academics. Its International Office provides advising, orientation, and support services for incoming international students and researchers.
One of the largest universities in Germany with ~41,200 students
Member of U15, the association of major German research universities
Two Clusters of Excellence: Mathematics Münster and Religion and Politics
15 faculties spanning theology, law, medicine, natural sciences, humanities, and the arts
~3,500 international undergraduate and doctoral students from around the world
Part of Ulysseus, an EU-funded Erasmus+ European university network
Key facts
- Type
- Universitäten
- Founded
- 1780
- Students
- 41,200
- International
- ~3,500 international undergraduate and doctoral students
- Faculties
- 15
- Programmes
- 314
Study programmes
314 accredited degrees at Universität Münster.
Showing 25–48 of 314 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
Nordrhein-Westfalen does not charge tuition fees for non-EU international students at public universities. All enrolled students pay a mandatory semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) covering the NRW semester ticket (public transport), Studierendenwerk (student services), university sports, and supplementary student insurance. The exact amount of the semester contribution is not published on the official enrolment page; prospective students should confirm the current figure with the Student Admissions Office ([email protected]).
Admission requirements
International applicants (non-EU/EEA) apply through the university's online application portal (studienbewerbung.uni-muenster.de). For bachelor's programmes, foreign qualifications are assessed and converted to the German grading scale in line with KMK standards; the highest grade maps to 1.0 and the lowest passing grade to 4.0. Applicants with qualifications from India, China (incl. Hong Kong and Macau), or Vietnam are required to hold a valid APS certificate (Akademische Prüfstelle) before the university can process their application. For master's programmes, a completed bachelor's degree of at least three years is required; admission is usually restricted and subject to programme-specific criteria. German-taught programmes require DSH-2 (or equivalent TestDaF TDN 4 / Goethe C2 / Telc C1 Hochschule) for most subjects; DSH-3 is required for Medicine and Dentistry; DSH-1 suffices for Physics, Geophysics, and Mathematics. English-taught master's programmes do not require German proficiency; English language certificates are required instead (specific thresholds are set at programme level).
Application deadlines
Winter Semester (October start) - non-EU applicants: restricted-admission bachelor's and state-exam programmes by 31 May; unrestricted bachelor's by 15 July; master's programmes by 15 July (some by 15 September). Summer Semester (April start) - non-EU applicants: restricted bachelor's and state-exam programmes by 30 November; master's programmes by 15 January. Cut-off dates cannot be extended; postal submissions are judged by date of receipt at the university.
How international applicants apply
No uni-assist. Direct online application via the university's own Bewerbungsportal for all grundstaendig (Bachelor/Staatsexamen) applicants including non-EU/EWR applicants without a German HZB: max 3 programmes per online application, mandatory document uploads in the portal, APS certificate for China/India/Vietnam. All Master programmes are likewise applied for exclusively in the direct Bewerbungsportal. Uni-assist is not documented on any admission page and the University of Muenster is not on uni-assist's member list.
Languages of instruction
Most bachelor's and state-examination programmes are taught in German and require proof of German language proficiency (typically DSH-2 / TestDaF TDN 4; DSH-3 required for Medicine and Dentistry). An increasing number of international master's programmes are offered in English; proof of German is not required for admission to English-language programmes. The university's Language Centre offers DSH preparatory courses (fee ~€500/semester, reimbursed on passing DSH and enrolling).
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Student accommodation
What Universität Münster publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
Rooms are allocated by
Studierendenwerk Münster
Not by the university. Apply to them directly, and expect a waiting list.
The university's housing page
Deadlines and application forms are published here, and they change every intake.
Open housing pageRoom types mentioned
What that page describes. Availability varies by intake.
From the university
The Studierendenwerk Münster manages student accommodation (halls of residence) and canteen services.
Campuses & locations
Central campus in the city of Münster; main address Schlossplatz 2, 48149 Münster
Living in Münster
Münster is a mid-sized university city in the Westphalia region of Nordrhein-Westfalen with a population of roughly 315,000. It is renowned as one of Germany's most bicycle-friendly cities, and cycling is the dominant mode of local transport. The city centre hosts museums, theatres, cinemas, and cultural events including the internationally recognised Skulptur Projekte contemporary art exhibition held every decade. Münster is well connected by rail and road, and has good access to major airports.
Student life & support
The International Office (Schlossgarten 3, 48149 Münster) organises orientation events, get-togethers, and activities specifically for international students and coordinates exchange programmes. The Studierendenwerk Münster manages student accommodation (halls of residence) and canteen services. The university offers over 150 types of sports through its university sports programme and has numerous student clubs and societies. The Language Centre provides preparatory German courses (DSH preparation) and other language instruction. The ASV (International Student Committee) represents and supports international students on campus.
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