Master of Science Mathematics Münster University of Münster

The MSc Mathematics Münster at the Cluster of Excellence is a research-oriented programme that puts a strong focus on in-depth studies in a broad spectrum of pure and applied mathematical subjects.

Our highly diverse range of courses provides a broad and well-founded training in all areas of mathematics, giving you a lot of flexibility and academic freedom. More than 40 professors offer a very comprehensive range of courses in the following major mathematical areas:

• Algebra
• Applied Analysis
• Differential Geometry and Geometric Analysis
• Logic
• Numerics & Scientific Computing
• Operator Algebras and Noncommutative Geometry
• Probability Theory and its Applications
• Topology

The University of Münster has a long standing tradition in mathematical education and is a stronghold of mathematical research. Mathematics Münster is one of the biggest mathematics departments in Germany, with more than 40 professors covering almost all major mathematical fields. As a student in Münster, you will benefit from broad and intensive mathematical training, internationally recognised experts – Münster's mathematicians have been awarded five Leibniz Prizes, two Alexander von Humboldt Professorship, two ERC Advanced Grants, one Staudt-Prize and a Max Planck Research Award – and the Cluster of Excellence Mathematics Münster: Dynamics – Geometry – Structure. Our cluster intensifies the exchange between traditionally specialised mathematical disciplines. As a Master’s student, you can experience our clusters and Mathematics Münster Graduate School's unique and vibrant research atmosphere, and you can benefit from an international network of renowned researchers.

This excellent starting point is also reflected in international rankings. In the Shanghai Ranking 2025, our Mathematics Münster ranked 76-100.

MSc Mathematics Münster is a two-year programme consisting of foundational and advanced modules you can choose from a broad variety of major mathematical fields. The huge variety of courses and the flexibility offered enable you to create a study plan according to your interests and career plans. The programme is completed with a Master’s thesis, which you will prepare and write under the guidance of a department member in the last semesters.

Our modules are divided into the following groups:

• broadening courses
• specialisation modules
• modules for personal enrichment
• a supplementary module
• optional minor subject modules
• the Master's thesis

You can fill your study plan with exclusively mathematical courses. You may also substitute one specialisation with one of our minor subjects (mainly taught in German).

Here is a typical study plan:

An internship can be included in the curriculum.

• A university entrance qualification valid in Germany (e.g. Abitur, high school diploma, national test for university entrance, etc.)
• A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in mathematics with a standard period of study of at least six semesters, completed with a minimum of 180 ECTS points. (Of these points, 120 ECTS points must have been achieved in mathematical subjects. The selection committee decides in exceptional cases.) Your Bachelor’s final grade / GPA should at least be 3.0 according to the German grading system. If you don’t get an overall final grade, you should belong to the best 40% of your class.
• English language skills at level B2

Applying with a preliminary Bachelor’s degree certificate or a transcript of records giving a preliminary grade is possible, given that you will complete your Bachelor’s degree by the start of your studies at the University of Münster.

We do not charge tuition fees. However, students must pay a semester contribution fee of approx. 355 EUR per semester. This includes various services for students as well as a "semester ticket" covering public transportation in Münster and all of Germany.

You can find more information here.

We recommend that students budget at least 1,000 EUR per month to meet personal expenses (accommodation, living, health insurance).

You can find more information here:
https://www.uni-muenster.de/international/en/studierende/general-information/cost-and-funding.html.

There are many job opportunities for students in Münster. A lot of students work in part-time jobs while pursuing their studies – but please note that is it extremely difficult to finance your studies by only working! Make sure to have sufficient means to cover most of your costs.

• Student jobs at the department: www.uni-muenster.de/FB10/en/Organisation/Stellenangebote.shtml
• Student jobs in other areas of the university and outside of the university: UNIKAP.MS, www.nadann.de

If you need a residence permit for studying in Germany, please note that you are allowed to work 140 full days or 280 half days a year during your studies. These restrictions do not apply for student jobs at the university.

The Cluster of Excellence offers three annual full grant scholarships. While applying for admission, applicants for the scholarship are asked to send a letter of motivation plus two regular, informal letters of recommendation directly from their university lecturers to mm.scholarships@uni-muenster.de. The deadline for application is 31 May. If you have any requests, please do not hesitate to contact us.

University of Münster ProTalent scholarship: The scholarship programme "ProTalent" of the University of Münster awards scholarships of 300 EUR per month to particularly outstanding and socially committed students. Enrolled and future University of Münster students can apply once a year, usually in June.

Mathematics Münster offers various information events on career related topics:

• Information meetings on possible future careers at the department: "Working at the department – from student assistant to doctorate”
• "Maths and Computer Science offer perspectives", which is organised by the department’s student council
• MINT mentoring programme for female Master's students, including reflections on career perspectives after the completion of the Master's degree programme

Our central Careers Service also offers a comprehensive careers service for all students. The Careers Service team helps you to give your studies a job-related focus, develop your own professional profile, gain necessary experience in the world of work, learn strategies and techniques relating to applications and build up contacts to employers.

As in all popular university cities in Germany, accommodation is in high demand and not easy to find in Münster – but it's not impossible either! Like most German universities, we do not have our own student halls of residence. However, the "Studierendenwerk", a governmental organisation, offers student halls in Münster. You can find additional information on housing options here and here (only in German).

When contacting about private offers, be careful! Please make sure that you never transfer money before you sign the rental contract. Ideally, you should be able to talk personally to the potential landlord, even if you are still abroad (via phone, video call, etc.) If you are not sure whether an offer is real or possibly a fraud, please feel free to contact the team of our International Office and send us the offer.

The University of Münster: Combining tradition & innovation

With some 41,000 students and 5,100 academics, the University of Münster is one of the biggest and oldest universities in Germany and one of the foremost centres of German intellectual life. Fifteen faculties with more than 120 subjects, over 280 degree programmes and some 30 research centres comprise the institutional backbone of the university. Officially founded in 1780, our roots go back to a convent for the education of women founded in 1040, and the establishment of a Jesuit college in 1588.

Today, besides a broad range of academic opportunities – from Bachelor's programmes to in-service continuing education courses, the University of Münster offers a huge and varied number of extracurricular activities and support for its students: Learn a new language at our Language Centre, take part in one of over 150 different sports at our University Sports, sing in a choir or join an orchestra, take part in a university group, act in a play – or sit back and enjoy the performances of other students: with our wide variety of cultural, international, political and religious student societies, initiatives, and sports groups, the University of Münster offers you countless opportunities to spend your free time and make new friends.

We value a close relationship between research and teaching as well as extensive advice and counselling services.

About the city

In Germany, Münster is known as one of THE student cities. Since its official founding in 1780, the University of Münster has grown continuously. Our departments, central institutions and libraries are spread all over the city - well, the city of Münster somehow is our campus! Münster is a beautiful, green, safe and lively city of about 320,000 inhabitants in the north-western part of Germany, and the northern part of its federal state, North-Rhine Westphalia. Münster has a vibrant cultural and nightlife scene - partly due to its over 60,000 students at one of the eight institutions of higher education. Many cafés, bars and cultural institutions in the city offer a wide range of discounts for students. Münster also hosts one of the most important art exhibitions worldwide the sculpture project – every 10 years. What else? Well, Münster has won numerous awards for its high quality of life – and a bicycle is the best way to zoom around!

International Campus

For international and German students, the University of Münster has various offerings for networking, intercultural understanding and encounters, a buddy programme matching international and German students, cultural events, support, and much more.

The International Office is your first point of contact. The team at the International Office advises international incoming students as well as local students, academics and staff who are planning a visit abroad. We answer questions from international prospective students and applicants relating to preparatory programmes, choosing a major, admission requirements, application procedures, visa and residence issues, financial matters and life in Germany / Münster.

If you are an international student, our Language Centre offers study preparatory German language courses. For enrolled students, our Language Centre also offers study-accompanying German language courses as well as courses for almost 20 other languages free of charge.

Münster lies in the heart of the Münsterland region in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and close to the border with the Netherlands. The city of Münster with its 320,000 inhabitants (of which around 62,000 are students) is a vibrant hub with a central location and excellent connectivity. Due to its position, Münster is an ideal starting point for excursions to other major cities such as Cologne, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, or Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The city is well connected by train, bus, and via Münster/Osnabrück Airport (FMO). Within Münster itself, the bicycle is the primary mode of transport: Münster is known as Germany's bicycle capital and boasts an extensive network of well-developed cycle paths.

The Münsterland is lined with numerous historical castles, offering glimpses into past times and inviting visitors to exciting excursions. A particular highlight is the Teutoburger Wald, which lies not far from Münster. This forested ridge offers beautiful hiking trails, ideal conditions for walking, and even opportunities for climbing.