Advice and support

The University of Münster provides counselling and support services to help neurodiverse people and students with disabilities, e.g. mental illnesses, chronic somatic illnesses, and mobility and sensory impairments.

Services at the University of Münster

  • Student Advice and Counselling Centre (ZSB)

    The Student Advice and Counselling Centre (ZSB) is your first contact for all your questions concerning studying with a disability at the University of Münster. It offers personalised advice on organising one’s studies, technical and personal support options, and possible compensation for disadvantages for completing required coursework and degree-relevant examinations. The ZSB also offers individual counselling and support and organises self-help groups as part of its psychological counselling services. There is also a moderated discussion group for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

  • Faculty representatives for students with disabilities

    Each faculty has a representative for students with disabilities who is responsible for addressing subject-specific matters and issues related to studying with a disability.

    The tasks of the faculty representatives for students with disabilities include:

    • providing subject-related advice to (prospective) students with disabilities regarding accessible study options in their faculty
    • supporting students with disabilities with requesting and claiming compensation for disadvantages in connection with required coursework and degree-relevant examinations
    • advocating the implementation of suitable measures to create inclusive study conditions (including room accessibility, accessible teaching and learning materials)
    • raising awareness of the topic of studying with disabilities within their faculty

    You can find the contact details for your faculty representative on their respective webpage.

  • Senate Representative for Students with a Disability or Chronic Illness

    In accordance with § 62 HG NRW, a University Senate representative for disabled and chronically ill students has been appointed at the University of Münster to represent the interests of students with disabilities or chronic illnesses. The Senate Representative is the contact for students with disabilities and represents their interests at the University.

  • Careers Service

    When it comes to possible internships, career perspectives and application modalities, students have lots of questions. There are many factors that can influence a student's career path. One such factor can be a physical or mental impairment, regardless of whether it occurs before or during their studies. The extensive and open-ended counselling offered by the Careers Service helps students with the myriad questions that come up during their studies and supports them in all matters of professional orientation.

  • Contact for medical students with disabilities

    The Institute for Medical Education (IfAS) serves as the central contact for medical students with disabilities. The “Studying with a Disability” project is a student-run service that provides peer counselling to medical students with disabilities.

External services

  • Social counselling offered by the Münster Studierendenwerk

    The social counselling services of the Münster Studierendenwerk (Student Support Services) help students with disabilities with managing the challenges of academic life. You can find more information and contact details on the pages of the Studierendenwerk’s Social Counselling Office.

  • Autonomous Office for Disabled and Chronically Ill Students

    The Autonomous Office for Disabled and Chronically Ill Students is operated by AStA (General Students’ Committee) and represents the interests of students with disabilities and chronic illnesses at the University of Münster.

  • Studying with Disabilities - Information and Advice Centre (IBS)

    General information about studying with a disability can be found on the website of the Studying with Disabilities - Information and Advice Centre (IBS) operated by the German Studierendenwerk (Student Support Services). Summarised information in German Sign Language is also available.

  • Other service providers in Münster

    In addition to counselling services specifically dedicated to the subject of studying with a disability, there are a number of contacts in Münster that also provide information and assistance to people living with a disability. The following are examples of service providers in Münster.

    Social Welfare Office

    The aim of the Social Welfare Office of the city of Münster is to promote equal opportunity and participation in social life for people with disabilities, to enable them to lead a self-determined life and to eliminate or prevent disadvantages.

    Münster “Lebens t raum” Counselling Centre

    The Münster “Lebens t raum” Counselling Centre is a “Supplementary Independent Participation Counselling Centre” (EUTB®) for people with disabilities or who are at risk of developing a disability, and their relatives. It operates on the principle of peer counselling; those who are impacted advise others in similar situations on a wide range of topics on helping people with disabilities to participate in society (e.g. on personal budgets, housing situation, applying for assistance benefits).

    Münster Self-Help Office

    The staff at the Münster Self-Help Office at the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband establish contact between interested parties and existing self-help groups. They also provide advice and support in setting up self-help groups on a wide range of topics.