University of Münster

University of Münster
Universität Münster
The seal of University of Münster
Latin: Universitas Monasteriensis
TypePublic
EstablishedJesuiten-Kolleg Münster 1588-1780
Universität Münster 16 April 1780 (1780-04-16)
Budget€ 803.6 million (As of 2022)
ChancellorMatthias Schwarte
RectorJohannes Wessels
Academic staff
4,956
Administrative staff
1,924
Students43,098 (As of 2024)
Location, ,
Germany

51°57′49″N 07°36′49″E / 51.96361°N 7.61361°E / 51.96361; 7.61361
CampusUrban, 285 buildings (2003)
Colors
  • RAL 9004 & RAL 5021
  •    
AffiliationsU15
Websitewww.uni-muenster.de

The University of Münster (German: Universität Münster, until 2023 German: Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, WWU) is a public research university located in the city of Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany.

With more than 43,000 students and over 120 fields of study in 15 departments, it is Germany's fifth largest university and one of the foremost centers of German intellectual life. The university offers a wide range of subjects across the sciences, social sciences and the humanities. Several courses are also taught in English, including PhD programmes as well as postgraduate courses in geoinformatics, geospational technologies or information systems.

Professors and former students have won ten Leibniz Prizes, the most prestigious as well as the best-funded prize in Europe, one Fields Medal and two Nobel Prizes. The University of Münster has also been successful in the German government's Excellence Initiative.