Münster is strongly shaped by its vibrant student community. In fact, students comprise one-sixth of its entire population – more than 55,000 in total. Consequently, finding affordable accommodation is not always easy. Inexpensive flats are scarce, and demand is high, especially at the beginning of the semester. Therefore, we strongly advise you to start looking for accommodation several months before you arrive in Germany.
Please note: The University of Münster does not have a central campus, nor does it operate its own student residence halls.
There are various types of accommodation available to students in Münster. In addition to several private residence halls, the Studierendenwerk Münster (Student Support Services) offers furnished and unfurnished rooms to students. Many people choose to live in a flat share, or “WG” (pronounced “vay-gay”), where several students live together and share the cost of rent.
The University of Münster maintains some 100 flats of various sizes and price categories at five guest accommodations for international researchers. The Welcome Centre of the International Office is responsible for renting out guest flats and can put you in contact with other accommodation providers.
Accommodation information from the Münster Housing Office
The Münster Housing Office (Wohnungsamt) is available to answer many of your questions regarding accommodation in Münster.
Other accommodation providers in Münster
The Münster Housing Office maintains a list of institutional and private accommodation providers with whom you can register to find a suitable flat. Some of these are organised as housing cooperatives.
Certificate of eligibility for social housing (WBS)
A number of flats in Münster are publicly subsidised which makes them more affordable than average privately-rented flats. Subsidised flats are reserved for those with low income and vary depending on the size of one’s household and monthly earnings.
To be eligible for subsidised housing, you first have to apply for a certificate of eligibility for social housing, the so-called Wohnungsberechtigungsschein (WBS). The certificate is valid for one year and contains information about:
how many individuals are allowed to live in the potential flat
the maximum size of the flat you are entitled to receive
the maximum amount of income you are permitted to earn as a beneficiary of social housing
The WBS certificate comes with a processing fee which varies according to one’s income but does not exceed 20 euros. You can find further information on the WBS certificate and application forms on the Münster Housing Office website [de].
Housing allowance
A housing allowance is a public subsidy which offsets the cost of accommodation. Housing allowances can be paid out to tenants of flats, rooms or residence halls, or as a subsidy to homeowners or owners of condominiums.
Students are usually not entitled to receive housing allowances. There are, however, exceptions to the rule which the Münster Housing Office can tell you more about. If you are indeed eligible, you can apply for the allowance via the Münster Housing Office. Its website also provides a list of helpful tips for students.
