Study in Münster Information for ERASMUS students Münster - International Office ERASMUS Office Schlossplatz 2a D-48149 Münster Study in Münster Information for ERASMUS students WELCOME TO MÜNSTER ..................................................................................85 1. THE UNIVERSITY OF MÜNSTER..................................................................87 1.1 The International Office of the University of Münster ....................................88 1.2 The ERASMUS Office at the International Office ............................................89 1.3 Departmental ERASMUS Coordinators at the Faculties ..............................90 1.4 International Centre „Die Brücke“ (“The Bridge”) ..........................................90 2. PREPARING FOR YOUR STAY ......................................................................91 2.1 Application for Admission to Study as Part of the ERASMUS Program ..........................................................................................92 2.2 Application for a Room in a Student Dormitory for ERASMUS Students ..........................................................................................93 2.3 Living in Münster ......................................................................................................94 2.4 Visa ................................................................................................................................98 2.5 Insurance ....................................................................................................................98 2.6 ERASMUS German Intensive Language Courses........................................100 2.7 ERASMUS Tutor Program ....................................................................................100 3. YOUR FIRST WEEK IN MÜNSTER ............................................................101 3.1 Transportation to Münster....................................................................................102 3.2 Short-term Housing................................................................................................102 3.3 Moving into your student dormitory room ......................................................103 3.4 Welcome Week ........................................................................................................103 3.5 Opening a Bank Account ....................................................................................104 3.6 Matriculation at the University ............................................................................104 3.7 “Social Fee”/ Semesterticket..............................................................................105 3.8 Registration with the City of Münster ..............................................................107 4. STUDYING IN MÜNSTER ............................................................................109 4.1 Language courses..................................................................................................110 4.2 Course Offerings ....................................................................................................112 4.3 How does the study program work in Münster? ..........................................113 4.4 Academic Calendar................................................................................................118 4.5 ECTS ..........................................................................................................................119 4.6 Libraries ....................................................................................................................120 Inhalt 83 5. STUDENT LIFE IN MÜNSTER ....................................................................121 5.1 ERASMUS Advisors ..............................................................................................122 5.2 International Centre „Die Brücke“ (“The Bridge”) ........................................122 5.3 Computer and E-Mail Account ..........................................................................122 5.4 Meals ..........................................................................................................................123 5.5 Sports at the University ........................................................................................125 5.6 Culture at the University ......................................................................................126 5.7 Cost of Living ..........................................................................................................127 5.8 Employment..............................................................................................................127 6. LIFE IN MÜNSTER..........................................................................................129 6.1 Münster – The City ................................................................................................130 6.2 Sights in Münster....................................................................................................131 6.3 Culture in Münster..................................................................................................133 6.4 Transportation ..........................................................................................................138 6.5 Post..............................................................................................................................140 6.6 Healthcare ................................................................................................................140 6.7 Telephone/Mobile phone......................................................................................142 6.8 Shopping ..................................................................................................................143 6.9 Going Out in Münster..............................................................................................143 7 CHECKLIST – WHAT YOU DEFINITELY NEED TO REMEMBER! ......147 7.1 Before your arrival in Münster............................................................................148 7.2 After your arrival in Münster................................................................................149 7.3 At the beginning of the Semester......................................................................150 8 GLOSSARY – IMPORTANT PHRASES FOR LIVING AND STUDYING IN MÜNSTER ....................................................................................................151 IMPRINT ................................................................................................................156 NOTICE ..................................................................................................................157 84 Inhalt Welcome to Münster Dear ERASMUS Students! We look forward to welcoming you as part of the ERASMUS Program in Münster. In order to facilitate the planning for your stay, we have compiled the most im- portant information for you in this brochure. Should you have further ques- tions, please don’t hesitate to ask and we will be happy to help you. We hope that you have a pleasant arrival in Münster and wish you all the best for a successful study program here. Your ERASMUS Team International Office of the University of Münster Welcome to Münster 85 The University 1. of Münster 87 On April 16, 1780 Franz Freiherr von Fürstenberg founded the University of Münster. When an additional university was opened in Bonn in 1818, the University of Münster was forced to close two faculties and was only permit- ted to call itself an “academy.” Only when two new faculties were established as a result of the efforts of King Wilhelm II in 1902 was Münster once again allowed to officially call itself a “university.” With 15 faculties and about 120 study programs, the University of Münster today is one of the five biggest universities in Germany. It is not a campus uni- versity, so various institutes are located throughout the city – for example, the history, philosophy, and German departments can be found near the Dom- platz. The law, economics, communications, philology and pedagogy faculties are also in the town centre. Political science and sociology are near the Aasee, whereas medicine, mathematics, computer sciences, and the natural sciences are located slightly outside the city centre in the northwest. The pri- mary building of the university is the historical Schloss (or palace) – the rec- tor’s office, the administration, the registrar, the student representatives, and the International Office are located there. Of the approximately 40,000 students at the university, almost 3,800 are in- ternational students, who provide the city with a multicultural flair. In addition the university has numerous partnership agreements and EU cooperation programs worldwide. Special offerings, such as the “Study Program for Sen- iors” and the “Lecture Series at the Children’s University,” demonstrate that the University of Münster identifies itself as an institution for all ages and all life stages. For information about the university and links to the individual faculties, go to: http://www.uni-muenster.de 1.1 The International Office of the University of Münster The International Office assists international students and researchers who come to the University of Münster, and advises students and researchers of the University of Münster who want to study or pursue research abroad. In addition the International Office coordinates the international cooperation and exchange programs of the university.