Westfaeliche-Wilhelms University Münster (University of Münster)

The University of Münster (German: Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, WWU) is a public university located in Germany, in the city of Münster, North Rhine-Westaphalia. With roughly a sixth of the population of Münster being students, it is a lively and colourful city. You can look expect to be impressed by its beautiful buildings, blending modernity with architecture from hundreds of years ago.

There are 15 faculties in WWU, with over 120 subjects, and more than 44,000 students currently enrolled. It is Germany’s fifth largest university and is ranked one of the finest universities in Germany; 125^th globally according to World University Rankings 2015-2016, and 3^rd in Germany according to the Leiden University Rankings’ size-independent category.

The University of Münster is also one of Germany’s leading research universities. It attracts a sizeable number of international students, both full-time students and exchange students who spend at least one semester at the university.

WWU's main website | International student website | Erasmus/exchange student website

Full-Time International Students

Pre-requisites:

1. Equivalent school-leaving certificate

You are required to have a school-leaving certificate that is recognised as equivalent to a German university entrance qualification. To find out if your certificate meets this requirement, you can refer to either of the links below:

DAAD Database on Admission Requirements | Database of the Standing Conference of Education Ministers

In the case that your school-leaving certificate is not recognised as equivalent, you may still be granted entrance qualification under specific conditions, or will need to pass a "Feststellungsprüfung" (assessment test). You can also refer to the links above for further information.

2. Sufficient understanding of the German Language

In order to enrol in a German-language degree programme at WWU, you will need to pass a language test prior to your studies to ensure that your German language skills are sufficient for the programme.

For a more detailed overview of each faculty at WWU, along with its individual requirements, you can refer to this link.

Language of instruction:

1. German

Most courses at the university are taught in German, hence it is recommended that foreign students learn German prior to enrolling in the university. Likewise, some of the university’s official website pages accessed through links provided in this guide may be written in German.

2. English (highly limited selection)

There are also a number of courses offered in English. For the updated overview of courses conducted in English and German for the current semester, you can refer to this link under the section ‘Courses’.

WWU does offer select Bachelor and Masters courses with English as the language of instruction throughout, for which knowledge of the German language will not be a pre-requisite. You can find these courses listed on their website.

Courses:

For a complete overview of the courses offered at WWU, please refer to this link.

• German Language courses:

If you do not have a sufficient level of proficiency in German to attend courses, WWU recommends you participate in a language course prior to attending seminars and lectures.

For more information on German language requirements, you can visit this link.

The ‘Sprachenzentrum’, WWU’s language centre, offers free German language courses. The language centre also allows students to learn individually with a ‘tandem’ partner: People with different mother tongues meet on a regular basis to learn their partner's language and learn about their culture. The Sprachenzentrum also has a Language learning counselling service and a friendly multicultural environment. 

For more information on the language courses available, you can visit the Language Centre website.

Sprachenzentrum (Language Centre)

Course Registration:

Most courses have a combination of lectures and seminars. Lectures do not require you to register, but you will need to attend the accompanying seminars. More information on the registration process will be provided to you upon enrolment at the university.

For further advice or clarifications on academics, you can drop an email to study@wwu.de.

Application Process:

Application deadlines differ based on the type of programme. Do note that deadlines that fall on weekends or public holidays will not be extended to the next working day. Should it be necessary for you to submit additional documents via post, these documents must reach WWU before the stipulated deadline.

For a comprehensive list of application deadlines, please refer to this link.
 

Attendance Policy:

For students who are taking the German language course, you are generally allowed to skip four sessions iff two sessions are held per week. In the case where one session is held per week, you are allowed to skip a total of two sessions during the semester. However, your Language Instructor will have the final say in the attendance policy.

In case of genuine reasons leading to prolonged absence, the students can approach the instructor by email or arrange a meeting in person.

International Exchange Students

GPA requirement:

The GPA requirement varies between faculties. For a more detailed overview of each faculty, along with its individual requirements, you can refer to this link. 

You can also get in touch with your home university’s international office for application requirements.

Language of Instruction:

1. German

Most courses at the university are taught in German, hence it is recommended that foreign students learn German prior to enrolling in the university. Likewise, some of the university’s official website pages accessed through links provided in this guide may be written in German.

Exchange students are offered a free German intensive course at the start of each semester, by the university’s Language Centre. You can choose to take more advanced German courses later on.

For more information on German language requirements, you can visit this link.

For more information on the language courses available, you can visit the Language Centre website.

2. English (limited selection)

There are also a number of courses with English as the language of instruction. For the updated overview of courses conducted in English and German for the current semester, please refer to this link under the section ‘Courses’:

Courses:
For a complete overview of the courses offered at WWU, please refer to this link (De):

Course Registration:

Most courses have a combination of lectures and seminars. Lectures do not require you to register, but you will need to attend the accompanying seminars. More information on the registration process will be provided to you upon enrolment at the university.

For further advice or clarifications on academics, you can drop an email to study@wwu.de.

Application Process:

As an exchange student, you must first be nominated by your home university to study at WWU. Subsequently, WWU will email you directly with a link to the online application portal. The online form must be printed out, completed, and signed by your home university’s exchange coordinator. Submit the signed form along with a certificate confirming your health insurance coverage, and certificate confirming your enrolment at your home university. All three documents should be scanned and compiled into one PDF file and sent via email to admin.ess@wwu.de.

Your official letter of admission will be sent to you by post and will state your official date of enrolment when the semester begins. On this date, you will need to bring along the official letter of admission, along with your passport or identity card, certificate confirming your health insurance coverage, and certificate confirming your enrolment at your home university.

Application deadlines differ between worldwide partner universities and Erasmus partner universities. Do note that deadlines that fall on weekends or public holidays will not be extended to the next working day. Should it be necessary for you to submit additional documents via post, these documents must reach WWU before the stipulated deadline.

For further information on the exchange application process and deadlines, please refer to this link.

The administrative centre and symbol of WWU is the Schloss, the former residence of the duke-bishop of Münster. The different faculties are located in various locations within the city, and most are walking distance from the main library as well as the administrative centre!

Campus Map:

An overall map of the entire WWU campus, along with the addresses for individual functions can be found here.

Large maps are also displayed at various points in the university area to help the students find their way around.

Flying Chalks’ tip: There is also a handy mobile app for smartphone users to help you navigate and settle into the campus. You can find the download links for both the Google Play store and Apple Store here.

Selected Facilities

The Schloss: administrative centre and the symbol of the university.

• Main Library: The central library of the university is the Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Münster (ULB), which is also the regional library of Westphalia. The library is spacious and provides an excellent studying environment. A helpdesk is also available if you have queries on the use of the library or rules for borrowing books. You can find out more here.
• Fitness facilities: WWU also has a Campus Gym located in the university’s sports centre. The gym is accessible to all students for a fee based on the duration of membership. The gym also has qualified trainers available. You can find out more information and the prevailing rates here. 
• Others: As a WWU student, you can partake in the university’s extensive selection (around 150!) of sports, courses, competitions, and sporting trips. For more information on the activities, or to register, you can visit the sports department directly, or write an email enquiring about the important dates and procedure. You can find more information and relevant contact details here.

Food on campus

You can join the local students for meals at the “Mensa” – the on-campus cafeterias or bistros. Payment can be made via a Mensa Card, which you can obtain from the information desks at most Mensa outlets. You can also use your Mensa Card to pay for university printing and photocopying facilities!

Campus Transportation

The AStA, the University of Münster’s General Student Committee, has negotiated with local public transport companies for a Semesterticket for university students in Münster. The Semesterticket is included in the university’s fees, and entitles students to free public transport usage on buses, trams, urban railways, subways, and regional rail systems, within the state of North Rhine-Westaphalia. Do note that you must have both your Semesterticket and official identification on you to enjoy this perk. For more information on the Semesterticket, please refer to the AStA website.  

Orientation Program

At the beginning of every semester, a Welcome Week is held for ERASMUS and international exchange students. This introductory programme helps foreign students get a better understanding of WWU’s facilities, academics, and tips for living in Münster.

The university itself also offers international exchange students a welcome guide. 

Buddy Program

There is also a Buddy Programme in place to pair exchange students with a local student buddy to help them adjust to their new environment. The Buddy Programme is also an opportunity to create dialogue and build intercultural friendships.

In addition, you can turn to AStA if you need help. AStA is the General Students’ Committee of the University of Münster. It offers advice and services to all students free of charge and represents the interests of students to higher authorities. International students can consult ASta for advice concerning financial issues, social aid, work stress, and so on. For more information, please refer to the AStA website. 

Student Clubs

WWU has numerous active student clubs and interest groups. These range from international, political, religious, academic, performing arts groups, and many more. These groups regularly organize events and enable the students to stay socially active and connected.

Here are a few of the student clubs that could be of interest to you:

• AEGEE Münster e. V.: the local branch of AGEE, Europe’s largest inter-faculty student network. Students from different nationalities and disciplines come together to the Association des États Généraux des Étudiants de l'Europe, a European student association for students of all subjects
• AIESEC-Lokalkomitee Münster: the local committee of the Association Internationale des Étudiants en Sciences Économiques et Commerciales (AIESEC). AIESEC is an international student organization which organises work placements and community service projects for students all over the world.
• Münster MUN: During Model United Nations (MUN), students come together to discuss current global political events and work together on potential solutions to worldwide issues. Activities around MUNs have a long tradition in Münster, and the WWU MUN student group organises workshops and supports MUNs in the area.

You can find an extensive list of student clubs available here.

University Events

You can participate in a whole host of university events throughout the year.

More information on upcoming events for international students, such as game nights, cultural excursions and end-of-term parties can be found here.

More information on upcoming sports events and news can be found here.

The ERASMUS team also organises recreational activities for exchange students each semester, and their upcoming activities can be accessed on their Facebook page.

Life as a student in WWU is a very exciting experience. Many activities and programmes are on in the city throughout the year, and the city’s cultural scene is extremely vibrant – think of street musicians in beautiful streets, and regal moated castles, with young people out and about exploring all the city has to offer.

Food:

In addition to the ‘Mensa’ you can find on campus, Münster has many great restaurants. For lighter meals or snacks, you can also find a large number of traditional German bakeries – or ‘Bäckerei’.

Nightlife & Entertainment:

The university itself operates three public museums and a botanical garden, which are popular among locals and interesting places to visit. In addition, the university itself runs art history tours through its campus.

Münster, a relatively religious centre within a Catholic region, bears famous religious landmarks which you can consider visiting in your free time. One such landmark is the St Paul’s Cathedral.

Münster also has over 15 other museums for culture enthusiasts. Apart from it, you can go on a guided city tour through Münster, by bus, bicycle, or on foot.

Flying Chalks’ tip: It’s great to be a student in Münster! There are many discounts and concessions available for students – from movie tickets to admission fees for sporting activities. Do try to keep your student ID card on you just in case!

The nightlife scene in Münster is also highly vibrant with many bars and pubs around.

Flying Chalks’ tips:

• For more student-friendly price ranges, you could opt for one of the many student pubs that are available in Münster, such as “Cavete” on Kreuzstrasse.
• You can even search for ongoing events through Münster City’s Calendar of Events.
• Heaven is a popular local club that plays largely electro and house music, and occasionally hosts international DJs.
• Krus Baimken is a famous Beer Garden that oversees the beautiful Lake Aasee (walking distance from downtown Muenster).

For Shopping:

The ‘Prinzipalmarkt’ (Principal Market), is the historical city centre of Münster, marked by its distinctive architecture and streets lined with stores and nearby pubs.

Prinzipal Markt (Principal Market)

There is also a local market open weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays, at the Domplatz. There, you can browse tasty regional delights from locals.

Flying Chalks’ tip: Münster is also known as Germany’s ‘bicycle capital’. When exploring the city on foot, stay on the walking track and keep an eye out for cyclists - they are FAST!

Getting from the Münster-Osnabrück International Airport (FMO) to WWU

From the airport, you would need to get to the city centre’s main train station (Münster Hauptbahnhof) first, and then transit to WWU. Trains do not stop at FMO airport directly, hence the cheapest and most accessible public transportation to the airport would be by bus.

There are three bus services that run between Münster Hauptbahnhof (Main train station) and the FMO Airport:

• D50 Directbus – estimated 20 minutes travel time, runs mostly between 9pm-4am
• S50 Schnellbus – estimated 30 minutes travel time
• R51 RegioBus – estimated 50 minutes travel time

Tickets are available from the driver, and cost around 7-12 Euros. You can check the bus schedules here. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from FMO to the city centre. The number to call a taxi is 025 60011.

From the Münster Hauptbahnhof (Main train station), you can walk to the university in about 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a bus to the university.

• Departing from Hauptbahnhof B2: 1, 4, 12, 13
• Departing from Hauptbahnhof C1: 2, 10, 11, 14

The airport information centre is active 24 hours, and can be contacted via phone, at 0 25 71 / 94 33 60. You can also arrange for an airport transfer in advance with MyDriver.

Getting from the Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) to WWU

From the arrival terminal, take the SkyTrain to the stop ‘Düsseldorf-Flughafen’, a 4-6 minute journey.

From the train station (Düsseldorf-Lohausen), it is an estimated 90-110 minute journey to the Münster Hauptbahnhof (Main train station), and is likely to include one train switch. You can check the Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) website for further information, tickets and train schedules.

• RE 10009 Hamm (Westf) from Platform 5 to Duisburg Hbf à RE 11219 Münster (Westf)Hbf from Platform 8 to Münster Station
• RE 10510 Wesel from Platform 1 to Duisburg Hbf à IC 2204 Emden Außenhafen from Platform 11 to Münster Station
• RE 10229 Hamm (Westf)Hbf from Platform 5 to Duisburg Hbf à IC 2002 Emden Hbf from Platform 13 to Münster Station

From the Münster Hauptbahnhof (Main train station), you can walk to the university in about 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a bus to the university.

• Departing from Hauptbahnhof B2: 1, 4, 12, 13
• Departing from Hauptbahnhof C1: 2, 10, 11, 14