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University of Münster

Ranked
Munster, Germany
188th in World University Rankings 2025
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About the University of Münster

Basic information and contact details for the University of Münster

institution

Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, also known as the University of Münster, is a public research university and one of the largest in Germany with more then 45,000 students. It is often considered to be among some of the best universities in the country.

Due to lack of funds, university’s establishment dates back to 1780, almost a century after Pope Urban VII and Emperor Ferdinand II granted their permission for its foundation. The institution was built with money accumulated from the dissolution of its predecessor Münster's Jesuit College. Since 1907, the institute bears the name of the last German emperor Frederick William Victor Albert of Prussia.

Located in the most densely populated administrative region in Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia, the University of Münster has developed an reputation for excellence in cross-disciplinary research in medicine, business studies, mathematics and chemistry. Organised in 15 departments, the institute awards degrees on all levels ranging from protestant theology, PR and journalism to psychology and sports science.

The German Research Foundation and the funding programme excellence strategy of the Federal Government and the 16 administrative regions of Germany actively support the institution with funds aimed at big-scale research projects conducted in partnerships with German and international universities.

Student life in Münster, often ranked as being among the most live-able towns worldwide, offers choices of cultural events for every taste spanning from music festivals, theatre performances and historical exhibitions.

The symbol of the university is the famous Schloss, a building that resembles a mansion house, similar to the one in which the university’s administrative centre resides.

Some famous alumni of the university include the footballer Jens Lehman, and Nobel Laureate Georg Bednorz. 

The institution follows the motto: "living knowledge".

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Rankings

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World University Rankings 2025
20406080
Overall 59.4
Teaching 44
Research Environment 47.9
Research Quality 83.9
Industry 82.2
International Outlook 54.7
5456586020162017201820192020202120232024202555.953.954.254.454.354.655.55959.4

Breakdown via year: Overall

Ranking positions 2016 to 2025
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Impact Rankings

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Impact Ranking positions 2021 to 2023
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2023
401-600th
2022
401-600th
2021
401-600th
Precise ranks and overall scores are shown for the institutions toward the top of a ranking; for institutions with banded ranks, please see the relevant ranking tables for an indication of their scores.
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Key Student Statistics

A breakdown of student statistics at the University of Münster

gender ratio
Student gender ratio
54 F : 46 M (2)
globe fill
International student percentage
6% (1)
student per staff
Students per staff
24.4 (1)
student
Student total
26664 (1)

Based on data collected for the (1) World University Rankings 2025, (2) World University Rankings 2019

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Subjects Taught at the University of Münster

See below for a range of subjects taught at the University of Münster

Computer Science401–500th

  • Computer Science

Clinical and Health126–150th

  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Other Health

Arts and Humanities101–125th

  • Languages, Literature and Linguistics
  • History, Philosophy and Theology
  • Archaeology
  • Art, Performing Art and Design

Psychology101–125th

  • Psychology

Physical Sciences176–200th

  • Chemistry
  • Geology, Environmental, Earth and Marine Sciences
  • Physics and Astronomy
  • Mathematics and Statistics

Law101–125th

  • Law

Social Sciences201–250th

  • Sociology
  • Politics and International Studies
  • Geography
  • Communication and Media Studies

Education251–300th

  • Education