For applicants from Münster

• Where and when can I find out which Erasmus placements are still open?

We publish a list of remaining places on Learnweb and on our website at the end of March or the beginning of April, after the close of the regular application process.

• If I get an Erasmus placement via the IfPol, can I also attend course in other subjects, e. g. in law or economics, and have them credited?

In principle, this is possible – if it fits with your programme of studies. To make sure, you have to contact the person responsible for the recognition of credits in your degree programme in advance.
However, we cannot guarantee that you will receive permission from our partner universities to attend courses outside of political science. While this often is possible, the IfPol maintains partnerships with the respective political science institutes/faculties, and they may handle the question of whether or not ERASMUS students are welcome to attend classes in subjects other than political science differently. Please contact the partner university individually and kindly ask whether you can attend courses outside of the political science curriculum if you want to make sure.

• In which language do I have to write the letter of motivation?

All applicants are expected to write their letter of motivation in German. If German is not your native language, please get in touch with the Exchange Office to request an exception.

• Where do I apply for proof of my average grade?

You can request the proof of your average grade at the Examination Office. Please only attach the letter with your average grade to your application, not the full transcript with all your grades.

Students of “Public Governance across Borders” apply for their certificate at the SiC through their programme coordinator. For applications during the third semester, please note that your average grade must also include the first 15 ECTS from the first quartile in Enschede. The grades from Germany will be offset against the grades from Enschede in the SiC. You will then receive a cover letter to enclose with your application. The average grade must correspond to the German grading system.

• Which documents need to be certified?

Only the proof of the weighted average grade or the graduation diploma (Abitur or Bachelor) must be attached to the application as a certified copy. A regular copy is sufficient for the language certificate (even if it is the diploma of your Abitur) or any other certificates. You can have the documents certified at the AStA office, which is the cheapest and easiest option. Certification by a notary is not necessary.

• When will I receive a reply to my application?

The selection process can take between 6–8 weeks. All first-time applicants will receive a response by the 1st of April at the latest. If you haven’t received one of your desired placements in the regular application process, you can still apply for any places that remain open. These will be published at the end of March or the beginning of April. In this case, please get in contact with the Erasmus Office directly: exchange.ifpol@uni-muenster.de.

• I don't like the programmes offered by IfPol. What alternatives are there?

The International Office runs interdisciplinary partnerships with universities on different continents. There are also other scholarships to choose from. For more information, click here.

In addition, you can also apply to the Career Service for funding for internships abroad via Erasmus+. You can find more information about this on the "Career Service" page.

For outgoings of the IfPol

• Until when do I have time to complete my Learning Agreement?

The International Office of our University expects all outgoings to submit the first version of their Learning Agreements, signed by their Münster coordinators, 4 weeks before the start of their semester abroad. In the first 7 weeks of your studies abroad, you have time to obtain the second signature at your host university or to make changes.

Important: Make sure to double check if there are any additional deadlines at your host university. Sometimes you may need to obtain signatures from both universities before your stay abroad.

• Who signs my Learning Agreement?

Your academic advisor is responsible for signing and crediting your coursework from abroad. You can find an overview of the academic advisors and their contact details here.

• Who will confirm my language skills (in relation to the application to the host university)?

If the language certificate that you have included with your application does not suffice to complete the application process at your host university, either the Language Centre of the relevant department (English and Romance Studies) usually can help you out. At the ERASMUS office, we can provide you with a letter confirming your language level on the basis of your Abitur diploma.

• What are the consequences if I withdraw from my place?

Normally, there are no consequences as long as you withdraw before you start your studies abroad. If you have already been officially registered as an ‘outgoing’ at the International Office, please inform our colleagues at the international Office, erasmus.out@uni-muenster.de, as well as us at the IfPol. If you have already received your Erasmus grant, but you are not completing your studies abroad, you will be asked to repay the money. These issues are administered by the International Office.

• Can I extend my Erasmus stay?

From the perspective of the IfPol, you can extend your Erasmus stay from the winter to the summer term in certain cases. This is not possible the other way round, because the academic year always starts in autumn. To extend your stay, you will need written authorisation from your host university, for example in the form of an e-mail from the local contact person. Please forward this to the Erasmus Office at the IfPol and also get in touch as soon as you have made your decision with our colleagues at the International office. Please note: even if you can extend your stay, it is not guaranteed that your scholarship can be extended.

For Incomings

• Who is the responsible coordinator at the institute? Who signs my Learning Agreement/Transcript?

Prof. Dr. Bernd Schlipphak is the departmental coordinator for ERASMUS and responsible for signing your Learning Agreement / ToR. However, all communication goes through the ERASMUS-office via mail: exchange.ifpol@uni-muenster.de, or you drop in to the office hours. Anna Meine is the assistant of the coordinator and may assist you in any matters that occur. Please refer to Prof. Dr. Bernd Schlipphak as responsible contact person in your Learning Agreement and Transcript.

• How to find accommodation in Münster?

You can find useful tips and websites on the webpage of our International Office.

• Where can I find the course catalogue of Ifpol? (please note: This is the course catalogue for the summer term 2025)

Click here.

• Where can I access the English courses offered at the ifpol? (please note: This is the course catalogue for the summer term 2025)

 Click here.

• How to register for courses?

Unfortunately, as an international student you are not able to register to courses through the online course-booking system. In order to reserve a seat in your favourite course please contact the respective lecturer via mail telling her*him that you would like to take part in this seminar. This is necessary for attending. If there occur any problems, please don't hesitate to contact the Erasmus-Office.

• When is the deadline to hand in my Learning Agreement?

We kindly ask all our incoming students at the Institute for Political Science to come into our office (Room 105, Scharnhorststr. 100) during the first 7 weeks of your studies, in order to sign your Learning Agreement. Important: Make sure when the deadline is to hand in your LA at your home university!

• What kind of academic work is required during my studies in Münster?

In Münster your study requirements are divided in one “Studienleistung” (unmarked assessment) and one “Prüfungsleistung” (marked examination) for each seminar. The Studienleistung usually contains regular participation, reading the course material and a presentation or group work. It is a mandatory precondition to pass the course and to qualify for the final exam. Although it is not graded, students need to pass it. The “Prüfungsleistung” demands a type of exam, which can be written or oral, or an academic paper of 10-15 pages. Requirements can vary with every lecturer. The "Prüfungsleistung" is assessed and forms your grade for that course.

• How does the German grading system work?

​​​​​​​Click here to find the instutional grading system.

• When is my Transcript of Records issued?

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Transcript of Records will be issued by the receiving institution (the Institute for Political Science) no later than 5 weeks after the assessment period has finished. In order to complete your transcript please hand in a copy of your ELVE account, where all grades will be published, as well as all the certificates of classes ("Schein") you attended outside of the Institute for Political Science (e.g. Language courses). We ask you to fill out the Transcript with your personal data and the courses' titles and send it to us. Please hand in all documents prior to your departure.