FAQ

Application and Admission

  • How do I apply for an exchange study period at the Faculty of Biology? 

    Your home university must have an exchange agreement with our faculty and then nominate you for a stay. Nomination, application, and enrolment are processed via the International Office of the University of Münster. 

  • When will I receive my admission for an exchange study period at the Faculty of Biology ?

    After the application has been reviewed by the International Office. For stays in the winter semester/winter and summer semester, non-EU students receive their letter of admission in May and EU students in June. For stays in the summer semester, non-EU students receive their letter of admission in November and EU students in December. Non-EU students include students coming through faculty partnerships and the central exchange program CeSAP, as well as Erasmus students from Turkey. The exact periods may vary. Non-EU students receive their admission one month earlier to allow sufficient time for the visa application.

Academic Planning and Learning Agreement

  • Where can I find the semester dates?

    The winter semester starts at the beginning of October, the summer semester at the beginning of April. The exact dates can be found here. 

  • Which modules are offered (in English)?

    The modules for Bachelor's and Master's students are described on this website. 

  • How do I get a place in a module?

    Places are allocated via the coordinator in the faculty (Bachelor: Third Year Modules / "Vertiefungsmodule"& Second Year Modules), an online selection (Advanced modules / "Fortgeschrittenenmodule" at the Faculty of Biology) or directly via the lecturers (external advanced modules, research modules). 

  • Who may I contact if I have questions about modules?

    For specific questions regarding content or schedules, please contact the respective lecturers of the module.

  • May I complete a research internship in a research group?

    Yes, this must be organized individually. Please contact our research groups directly. 

  • May I take modules at other faculties?

    You may take modules at other faculties if the lecturers of the modules allow you to participate. Please make sure that there are no overlaps with your modules at the Faculty of Biology.

  • How many ECTS credits do I need to earn?

    The Faculty of Biology has no minimum requirements for the number of modules you must take or the number of ECTS credits you must earn. The regulations of your home university apply. A maximum of 30 ECTS credits per semester can be earned at the Faculty of Biology.

  • What is the (Online) Learning Agreement?

    An (Online) Learning Agreement is a binding agreement between the student, the home institution, and the host institution regarding the modules to be studied and their subsequent recognition. It must be signed by all parties involved. Please use the system/document provided by your home university to create the (Online) Learning Agreement.

  • Who is the contact person for the Learning Agreement?

    Vanessa Rüttler, bioint@uni-muenster.de

Organisation of Studies, Examinations and Transcript of Records

  • Is attendance mandatory?

    Yes, attendance is required in all modules.

  •       How much absence is permitted?

    You may miss up to 10% of a module. Please inform the lecturers of the module or course if you are unable to attend. 
    If you miss more than 10%, please speak to the lecturers to discuss how you might catch up on the material.

  • How do I register for exams? / Do I need to register for modules in the Campus Management System (CMS)?

    Exchange students taking part in our Bachelor’s modules are not yet able to register for modules or exams via the CMS. 

    From the 2026/27 winter semester onwards, exchange students taking part in our Master’s modules will be able to register for modules and exams via the CMS. We will keep you informed about the process. 

  • How do I obtain my Transcript of Records (ToR)?

    Students taking Bachelor’s modules at the Faculty of Biology:
    The ToR is issued by the departmental coordinator and sent to you and your home university by email. 

    Students taking Master’s modules in the Department of Biology:
    From the 2026/27 winter semester onwards, exchange students taking our Master’s modules will be able to generate their own ToR via the Campus Management System (CMS) service portal. For technical reasons, it will be sigend as a ‘provisional’ ToR, as you will not graduate at our University. An explanaition will appear on the ToR. 

    If you took part in extracurricular courses (German language courses, individual research internships etc.), the ToR listing all credits earned will be issued by the departmental coordinator and sent to you and your home university by email. 

  • Can I extend my stay?

    Yes, if your home university and the departmental coordinator of the Faculty of Biology agree.

Accomodation and Living in Münster

Further information for orientation in Münster can be found on the website of the International Office.