Zielgruppennavigation: 

INDIVIDUAL DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS AT MÜNSTER UNIVERSITY


Anyone wishing to write a dissertation at the University of Münster must first of all apply in writing to the relevant university department to have the dissertation supervised. Only professors (university teachers) are allowed to supervise. You can send your application to the Dean or to the desired professor direct.
List of departments at Münster University

For international graduates

If you have already completed a course of study in your home country, you will as a rule, also be able to study in Germany. However, not every type of degree gained abroad entitles the holder to start on a higher course of study. It is possible that further study qualifications will have to be gained.

The relevant Doctoral Degrees Board decides on admission to a doctoral degree course. In addition to having a first degree certificate, foreign students will also have to clarify whether the doctoral dissertation is to be written in German or in another language. The secretariat of the relevant faculty and the University’s International Office can both help on this issue.
Click here for the International Office

Checklist for applicants

Applications for your doctoral dissertation to be supervised in a university department can be made by e-mail or by post. The application should include:

  1. A German university entrance qualification or a foreign school-leaving certificate which corresponds to the German Abitur (university entrance qualification)
    Information on entrance examinations and Studienkollegs

  2. A CV containing no gaps

  3. A short description of your research topic

  4. Copies of the university examination taken

  5. Evidence of linguistic competence. If the doctoral dissertation is to be written in German, the Registrar`s Office will check to see whether the candidate has an adequate knowledge of German. If the dissertation is to be written in another language, the supervising professor must confirm that the candidate has adequate linguistic competence in this language.

  6. Applicants need an acceptance on the part of the supervisor or, if necessary, of the Dean. If the department shows an interest, they will get in touch with you. You will then need from the supervising professor a written acceptance to supervise you. This written acceptance includes:
    • A declared willingness to supervise the doctoral dissertation
    • A declaration on the part of the professor – if you have no DSH 2 language competence certificate or some comparable certificate – that he/she accepts the existing level of linguistic competence or that the doctoral dissertation is to be written in English. However, you also have an opportunity to take part in a DSH language course or take a DSH language examination.
    Information on language requirements and language courses
    Specimen acceptance to supervise a doctoral dissertation (pdf document)

  7. Once the department and the supervisor have expressed their acceptance, matriculation at Münster University via the online enrolment portal is the next step. Online enrolment for a doctoral course is only possible within certain times.     
    Click here for the online enrolment portal
    Information on application deadlines

  8. During the applications period a signed printout of the online enrolment must be sent to the University of Münster, together with all necessary documents. The documents to be submitted comprise:
    • A written acceptance note that you will be supervised and, if necessary, evidence of having taken a DSH-2 language examination (or a comparable certificate)
    • Your Abitur certificate or a foreign school-leaving certificate which corresponds to the German Abitur (university entrance qualification)
    • Bachelor’s and Master’s degree

  9. All documents must be provided in the form of officially certified copies.
    N.B.: Official certification can be provided by any public authority that has an official seal, e.g. municipal authorities, embassies, consulates or notaries. In the case of foreign-language documents, an official translation of these will also be required – in German, English or French.

  10. Please send your application for enrolment to:

    Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
    Studierendensekretariat
    Schlossplatz 2 | 48149 Münster | Germany
    Tel.:+49(0)251/832 2236/4772//2237
    E-Mail: studierendensekretariat@uni-muenster.de

  11. If you have any other questions regarding matriculation please get in touch with the Registrar`s Office.
    Click here for the Students Secretariat
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