Frequently Asked Questions

Do I fulfill the admission requirements of the program?

Applicants of the master program must have:

• A relevant undergraduate or first degree (at least 180 ECTS credit points, e.g., Bachelor, Diploma, Master)
• At least one year of work experience in media production and/or the social sciences or cultural studies subsequent to the first university degree
• English level B2 pursuant to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) 

Please send all documents via e-mail, so we may check if you fulfill the admission requirements of the program.

What documents are required in order to apply?

• Completed and signed application form
• CV
• Certified copy of your university degree (Details for official authentication). We will need a certified translation of your university certificate (in German or English) in case of foreign language documents.
• Certificate in English (at least level B2) or written statement by your university that your bachelor/master program was conducted in English
• Personal statement (ca. 250 words)

Please send all documents via scan and e-mail.
 

How can I prove my work experience?
You must have a minimum of one year of relevant work experience (e.g. internship, job, project, self-employment) subsquent to your first degree. Please list your work experience as detailed as possible in your CV, mentioning your employer, your job position and a job description, the duration of the employment and a proof (e.g. job contract, signed letter from the employer). 

When will you inform me about admission to the program?
We will check your application as soon as possible and usually inform you within four weeks after the application deadline.

Should I enroll at the University of Münster?

Students of the Master Program “Visual Anthropology, Media and Documentary Practices” have the possibility to enroll at the University of Münster. For this purpose a semester charge (the "Semesterbeitrag") of currently approx. 310 euros has to be paid each semester (not included in the tuition fee of the master program). Enrolling makes sense for those students planning to stay in Münster for the period of the master program. The enrollment has to be renewed each semester.

The semester charge includes...

• the cost of the so-called semester travel ticket, which can be used not only for the city’s buses, but also for regional trains and buses within North-Rhine Westphalia. The Semesterticket is not, however, valid on high-speed trains (IC and ICE). A small fee will be charged for night busses or for transporting bikes on the bus.
• the possibility to apply for a room or apartment in one of the student halls of residence of the Student Support Services ("Studentenwerk Münster"). Since the waiting times for such housing range from 2 to 36 months, students should apply as early as possible.The monthly rent for the student dorms is not included in the semester charge.
• the possibilty to take part in activities of the university sports.
• the possibility to attend language classes for free.

In order to enroll and for further information please visit the following website. Please be aware of the deadlines for enrollment!

Do I need health insurance in Germany?
For those students planning to stay in Germany for the period of the master program it might be necessary to get health insurance. Please find further information here.

Enrolled students of the University of Münster may obtain a standard insurance rate for students (approx. EUR 90 per month). Students older than 30 years cannot get the standard student insurance rate offered by public health insurances and have to pay the normal fee.

How much is the tuition fee?
Tuition for the entire three-year Master Program "Visual Anthropology, Media and Documentary Practices" at the University of Münster is €12,750. Tuition covers participation in the program, exam fees, conference refreshments and course documents (which will be made available to students in digital form).

How do I pay?
Thetuition fee usually has to be paid in two installments. The first installment has to be transferred within latest six weeks after the application deadline - in case of non-payment the place on the course shall be given away. The second installment has to be transferred in the beginning of the third semester. Please note: in case of non-participation the tuition fee will not be refunded.

Are there any scholarships available?
Please have a look at the website of the DAAD. The DAAD does not support this master program as it is not a full-time course with daily classes. Nevertheless we would advise you to contact DAAD and ask for other scholarships that might be offered in your home country.

Do  I need to have any German language skills?
The language of instruction of the master program is English. Students do not need to speak any German. Nevertheless students have the possibility to participate in German classes after having enrolled at the University of Münster.

Do I need a test to prove my English language skills?

Yes, English level B2 can be proved by

• a certificate in English (e.g. IELTS, LCCI-Test, TELC, TOEFL, TOEIC-Test)
• a bachelor or master program taught in English

Applicants without a certificate or a bachelor/master degree in English have the possibility to pass an English test that will be offered by the WWU Weiterbildung via telephone or skype.The fee for the English test is €50. If you are interested in the English test, please send an e-mail.

Where will I live during my studies?
We can support you by providing links and information about the housing market in Münster, but finding accommodation in Münster is up to you. The monthly rent for a room in a shared flat or a 1-bedroom apartment varies between 300 and 500 € (depending on the location, size, included facilities, etc.).
Accommodation is not easy to find because the 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. For further information please have a look at the website of the University of Münster.

Are there any student dorms in Münster?
Enrolled students have the possibility to apply for a room or apartment in one of the student halls of residence of the Studierendenwerk Münster. Since the waiting times for such housing range from 2 to 36 months, students should apply as early as possible. Please note: the monthly rent for the student dorms is not included in the semester charge.

The Studierendenwerk offers emergency short-term accommodation (Notfallunterkünfte) for those students struggling to find rooms, which includes a section in a shared hall with a bed and wardrobe for 10 €/night.

Can I work during my studies in Münster?
If you are a student from outside of the EU with a valid resident permit, you will be limited to working up to 120 full days or 240 half days per year. Please note: these regulations may change. You should always contact the foreigners office to learn more about the legal conditions before taking up a job.

Will you help me in finding a student job?
We may provide tips and links where to search for jobs, but the application and everything else has to be done by yourself. Please check the website of the university for more information on how to find a side job.

How much do I have to calculate for my cost of living in Münster?
You will have to calculate between 700 and 800 euros per month to cover the cost of rent, groceries, Internet, public broadcasting fees, insurance and other expenses during your studies in Münster. The cost of living of course also depends on your lifestyle.

Is the University of Münster (Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster) a public university?
Yes, the University of Münster is a public university.

What kind of degree will I obtain after successful completition of the master program "Visual Anthropology, Media and Documentary Practices"?
Students who sucessfully complete the program will be awarded a "Master of Arts" from the University of Münster.

Why do I have to pay a tuition fee for the master program?
The master "Visual Anthropology, Media and Documentary Practices" is a further education master program. Universities in the Federal State of North Rhine Westphalia have to charge a tuition fee for further education master progams by act of law.

Is the master in "Visual Anthropology" a private program? Who is the WWU Weiterbildung? Is the master program in "Visual Anthropology" offered by the WWU Weiterbildung or the University of Münster?
The master in "Visual Anthropology" is not a private program. The WWU Weiterbildung (Münster University Continuing Education) is a daughter company of the University of Münster (WWU), whose main purpose is the support as well as organization of study programs for continuing education (e.g. setting of dates for the in-house classes, support of students, catering etc.). All further education masters, including the master in "Visual Anthropology", are public programs offered by the University of Münster.

How long does it take to complete the master program?
The master program comprises 6 semesters (3 years). Students have the possibility to finish the program after 5 semesters (2,5 years). If so desired, please conctact the study coordinator of the program regarding this matter.

Why are there in-house classes?
The master program is designed to study and work at the same time. Therefore classes are offered as intensive block courses (the duration of the in-house classes varies between 5 and 10 days, class hours 09.00 am to 06.00 pm). Part-time study is an option for people who want to study while continuing in employment or other commitments such as raising a family or caring for family members. Students have the choice whether to stay in Münster/Germany for the period of the master program or to travel to Germany just for the in-house classes and spend and work the rest of the year in their home country. International students can apply for a student visa and stay in Germany or Münster.

What will happen before/after the in-house class?
Lecturers might ask students to prepare small assignments before each module. Preparatory literature will be available for download on the learnweb of the university. After the in-house class students will need to complete and submit written and media practical examinations.

In-house classes only take place twice a semester (approx. every 3 months). What will I do with my time in between?
As further education master programs are designed to study and work at the same time students do not have to attend daily classes. Students planning to stay in Münster for the period of the master program should be aware of this structure. We highly recommend those students staying in Münster to enroll at University and take advantage of the university facilies (e.g. to attend the language classes etc.). All students, whether staying in Münster or not, will have to prepare assignments, follow up and submit examinations between the in-house classes. As huge parts of the master program in "Visual Anthropology" such as the completition of the examinations will be completed from home, students decide when to sit down and how long to work. Because of their structure further education master programs require lots of self-discipline and self-organization as well as a shift to learning independently.

In addition to the seven in-house block courses students participate five further online-courses (tutorials) to follow up the in-house classes. Each of these five tutorials consists of seven sessions (x2 hours) and further learnweb interaction and assignments. Thereby students experience continuity and a sustainable study environment also between the in-house classes. 

Will there be online classes?
There will a short online discussion via Adobe Connect with your supervisor after each in-house class, mainly to provide support for the examination that needs to be completed after each module. Please note: this master is not a long distance program!

Furthermore, students particpate in five further online-courses (tutorials) to follow up the in-house classes.

Do I need to bring my own camera and laptop?
We expect students to bring their own laptop. Students do not necessarily need to bring their own camera, but of course it is an advantage on the long run to own a camera, especially when working and practicing at home. During the in-house classes we will provide enough technical equipment in order to support team work in groups.

Please note: we do not provide any video editing software! In case you want use video editing software you will have to buy the softare on your own (lots of companies offer student discount though).

Students have the possibility to use the editing studio at the Institute of Ethnology in Münster and to rent two MacBooks with video editing software uopn request and subject to availability.

Do I need to apply for a visa?
Depending on your country of origin you will have to apply for a visa in order to study in Germany. Please find further information about visa regulations on the website of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany and contact the German embassy in your home country.

How long does it usually take until my visa will be granted?
This again is dependent on your country of origin. In the last months we have made the experience that it may take up to seven months until a visa will be granted. International students should apply as early as possible in order to start the visa application process at the earliest possible date.

What are the requirements for obtaining a visa?
The requirements for obtaining a visa differ from country to country. Please note: you might have to open a blocked account in order to obtain a visa. With a blocked account, you can provide evidence during the visa application process that you have adequate financial resources. From 1 January 2020, the presumed annual requirement that must be paid into the blocked account when applying for a visa will increase to 10,236 euros.
We strongly advise you to check the requirements before applying to our master program as you might have to raise the fee for the blocked acccount plus the fee for the tuition fee of the master program at the same time.

What steps do I need to take after having arrived in Germany?
In order to apply for residence permit in Münster you will have to visit the foreigners office in Münster. The documents which you will have to submit for the application are listed here. Please note: the residence permit has to be renewed every year!

International Students
The University of Münster assists international students in their search for suitable accommodations, offers information about cultural activities, etc., as well as general advice about living in Münster. Further information can be found here.

International Office
The "Brücke" forms part of the international centre and is the contact point for international students. The Brücke offers consultation regarding your studies as well as general questions and problem. Further information can be found here. 

German as a foreign language
For enrolled students who are interested in learning German, the language centre of the University of Münster offers a number of courses for “German as a foreign language”. Further information can be found here.