Visiting and guest students

Visiting students

Students from other German universities may apply for "visiting students" (Zweithörende) status in non-restricted degree programmes. It is not possible to enroll as  "visiting students" (Zweithörende) in a restricted-admission degree programme. Upon approval, they receive permission to attend courses and, in some cases, take degree-relevant examinations. Visiting students are not officially enrolled, but are considered affiliates of the University for the duration of their approved visit without being formally recognised as official "members". There are two status categories of visiting students: "full-time" and "part-time" visiting students.

  • Full-time visiting students

    Full-time visiting students remain enrolled at their first university in a different degree programme. This status entitles you to pursue a second degree at the University of Münster. Your first university cannot be located more than 100 km away from Münster and you may not be on a leave of absence from your first university.

  • Part-time visiting students

    Part-time visiting students are not fully entitled to take examinations and are enrolled in the same degree programme at their first university. You must provide evidence each semester that the course you want to attend is not being offered at your first university during that semester. You are only allowed to attend this one course and complete coursework and examinations in this course. The recognition of your academic achievement is determined by the examinations office where you intend to take your final examination. Part-time visiting students are not allowed to be on a leave of absence from their first university. They are granted visiting student status for a maximum of two semesters for which they are obliged to pay a visiting student fee of 100 euros per semester.

  • Enrolment / application procedures

    Visiting students who wish to participate in non-restricted degree programmes must enrol via the online enrolment portal. To enrol in a non-restricted master's degree programme, you must complete an online application!

    Deadlines and dates

  • Required documents

    In addition to the documents listed in the application, you must also submit a semester certificate from your first university indicating your desired degree, all your subjects and your total number of semesters (incl. semesters on leave). Proof of health insurance coverage is not required.

    Full-time visiting students must submit a hand-signed statement explaining how they intend to pursue two degree programmes at two universities at the same time. A statement by the Dean of Studies confirming the student's eligibility to enrol as a visiting student is also required.

    Part-time visiting students are required to provide a hand-signed statement indicating which course exactly they would like to attend at the University of Münster. The respective lecturer must submit a statement agreeing to the student's participation in his/her course. Furthermore, the student must provide evidence (e.g. in the form of a current course catalogue or confirmation from the respective faculty of his/her first university) that the desired course or seminar is not being offered at the first university. 

     

  • Re-registration

     

    Full-time visiting students receive an e-mail to their university e-mail account approx. 3 weeks before the end of lectures (of the respective semester) that a new certificate of study from their first university must be submitted in order to continue their studies.

     

    Part-time visiting students receive an e-mail to their university e-mail account approx. 3 weeks before the end of lectures (of the respective semester) that the fee for visiting students must be paid in order to continue their studies. In addition, a new semester certificate and a new proof that the desired course is not offered at their first university must be submitted.

     

Guest students

Guest students can attend individual courses from an admission-free subject for a maximum of three semesters. There is no requirement of a university entrance qualification. All possible subjects are offered only in the German language.

Guest students are not allowed to take part in exams.

Registration deadlines for guest students are from mid-February to the last working day before the start of lectures for a summer semester, and from mid-August to the last working day before the start of lectures for a winter semester. Those who wish to apply must enrol via the online enrolment portal. All you have to do is pay the so-called "guest student fee" which amounts to 125 euros.