Münster: The ultimate college town

It is quite ironic. Münster is one of Germany's most historic and storied cities, and yet today it is also one of its youngest, largely because it is the ultimate college town. One in five of Münster's 280,000 inhabitants is a student, naturally making the university one of the major employers in the city.

Münster at a glance

 

Münster’s history spanning more than 1200 years is reflected by the medieval ground plan of the Altstadt (old part of the city) and numerous historical buildings. The Prinzipalmarkt with the Lambertikirche (church) and the Cityhall of the Westphalian Peace as well as the cathedral and the cathedral square represent just a few of the internationally significant constructions of the Altstadt spanning a period of eight centuries. In addition, the outstanding qualities of Münster include the fact that the city is very green with the Promenade, a green ring around the Altstadt, and the fact it is embedded within the charming park landscape of Münsterland.
Now the Westphalian metropolis presents itself as the city of the universities with outstanding international reputations, which accommodates approx. 50,000 students, and as the headquarters of innovative centres in the field of research and technology transfer. This academic potential forms an important basis for the future-oriented development of the economy. A lot of young people, numerous institutions that belong to the university, a varied and exciting cultural life as well as the bicycle as the omnipresent form of transport characterise the city’s unmistakable atmosphere.

Overview of the Universities

 

Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität (WWU) / University of Münster

The University of Münster (WWU) comprises 15 faculties, teaching 110 subjects and serving around 40,000 students, making the WWU one of Germany’s largest universities. It offers a full range of subjects including medicine, law, business and finance, musicology, science and the humanities. The university fosters many interdisciplinary branches and works closely with other members of the scientific community such as the Max Planck Institute. Two of its top priorities are nanotechnology and biomedical sciences.

Münster University of Applied Sciences
With twelve departments and about 10,000 students the Münster University of Applied Sciences is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Germany. It offers a broad range of practice-oriented studies. A distinctive feature is that you can study to become a teacher for business colleges. The university cooperates closely with the local economy and its excellent research generates high funding by companies.

Academy of Fine Arts Münster
The academy offers the whole range of contemporary artistic forms and technics, such as fine arts, sculpture, photography, digital art and new media. Students are teached by internationally known artists. Once a year the students’ works are presented to the public in a big exposition.

Philosophico-theological University Münster
At the PTH you can study theology. It is situated in a Franciscan monastery in the centre of Münster and also trains Franciscan and Capuchin monks.

Catholic University of Applied Science
The KatHO is the largest officially recognised university that is run by the church and offers more than twenty bachelor and master degrees. It focuses on subjects such as social affairs, healthcare and religious instruction.

Recreation in Münster

 

One of the must-see spots while you are in Münster is the Prinzipalmarkt. The central square of the old town is lined with gabled houses, classical architecture and colonnades. Here is also the gothic townhall located, where in the famous “Hall of peace” 1648 was arranged peace between Spain and the Netherlands. The Prinzipalmarkt is both the economic and political centre of the city. On the square in front of the cathedral St. Paulus every Wednesday and Saturday morning the weekly market takes place, which is very popular amongst locals.
Münster also has a great deal to offer those wanting to take in some arts and culture. Baroque palaces like the Stadtschloss, the botanical gardens or the Museum of Fine Arts Pablo Picasso in the city center are places that the Münsteraner – as the locals are called – are very proud of, and rightfully so. When it comes to nightlife, the Kuhviertel is home to Münster’s most interesting bars. To take in a good dose of local charm, visit the Cavete, a pub which is run by students for students. And don’t miss the Pinkus Müller brewery which serves a form of pale ale brewed from recipes dating back to 1816. In summertime you should visit one of the numerous open-air festivals Münster has to offer. There is just one thing you need when you are in Münster: a bicycle. Münster is considered to be Germany's bicycle capital, it seems that everybody runs on wheels. There is even a multi-story bicycle park. Give it a try.  

Interview with Lukas Rotter from Münster

 

Münster was Lukas Rotter’s first choice when the prospective law student was deciding on colleges a couple of years ago.

Would you recommend the city for students?
Definately. Münster is not a city you lose yourself in, like Berlin for example. It’s big enough to party and small enough to stay focused on your studies. You don’t really need more than a bicycle to get around town. That's good because Münster’s university buildings are scattered around the city, some of them located in splendid historic buildings.

How do you spend your free time?
I love to go running at the Aasee lake in the city center. You start jogging downtown, and after a few minutes you’re already in the countryside. Besides studying, I earn my living at the regional airport nearby, dealing with passenger handling for Eurowings. I wouldn’t mind staying in Münster to pursue my career after graduation.

What is your favorite spot?
My favorite spot is the city harbor. It’s an old industrial area that has been transformed into a strip of bars and restaurants. Bring your own barbecue grill and some friends, find yourself a nice spot behind the pub strip and you’ll enjoy your bratwurst and a terrific view of Münster’s downtown skyline.

Useful links

 

The city's website
Tourist information
Student Union Münster 
Die Brücke - International Centre