The University of Münster is one of the largest universities in Germany with a rich and time-honoured tradition. It enjoys an outstanding reputation in the region and far beyond. Fifteen faculties with 120 degree programmes and some 30 research centres comprise the institutional backbone of the University.

Some 43,000 students and 5,600 academics appreciate the University's excellent research opportunities, high-quality teaching, promotion of junior researchers, and the advantages of living in the city of Münster. Our slogan sums it up best: "living.knowledge". The University of Münster is signatory of the Magna Charta Universitatum.

Mission statements, audits, strategies, regulations, policies, codes of conduct, framework plans and charters: the University of Münster has issued a number of important policy documents and auditing processes which govern many important topics related to life and work at the University.

Those who study, research, teach or take up employment at the University of Münster become part of an open-minded university community, dedicated to offering high-quality study and instruction. The Mission Statement on Teaching and Studies reflects the self-image of our institution and serves to provide orientation.

The strength of our university is rooted in the constructive cooperation of many people with many different tasks in research, teaching, transfer and operations. In the Code of Conduct, we summarise how we wish to interact with one another and what values and orientations we want to uphold.

The University of Münster is aware of its responsibility for its social, environmental and economic impact in society and the challenges that sustainability will present in the future. Consequently, the University of Münster addresses sustainability in each of its central fields of activity – research, teaching, transfer and operations. The mission statement was approved in 2021.

In 2020 the Senate and Rectorate adopted the Mission Statement on Diversity, entitled “Living.Knowledge.Diversity”, which sustainably anchors and advances the topic of diversity in research, teaching and transfer activities at the University of Münster. It is particularly important to the University that all members are involved in implementing the tenets of the mission statement in their daily working life.

In signing the Diversity Charter, the University of Münster pledged to recognise diversity within and outside the University, to understand the potential opportunities and enrichment it represents, and promote a culture on campus characterised by mutual respect and appreciation.

In January 2022 the University of Münster joined the diversity audit “Designing Diversity”, conducted by the Stifterverband. The auditing process spans a period of two years. Its goal is to advance efforts to sustainably anchor and increase awareness of diversity, non-discrimination and equal opportunity in the University’s core fields of activity by developing target-based strategies and measures at all levels.

In the current Equal Opportunity Framework Plan, the University of Münster presents an equal opportunity programme with proposals in five central fields, which it has pledged to implement in the coming years.