Master’s application and admission

To apply for the Master's program in Comparative and Global Law, the following requirements must be met:

 

1. Academic requirements

  • Applicants must have completed one or more relevant academic degrees with a total duration of at least eight semesters, such as a LL.B., a LL.M. or another professional qualification (e.g. state examination), at a recognized research university. The degree(s) must include a minimum of 240 ECTS credits (or an equivalent).

     

  • Typically, applicants will have completed their degree in law. However, students with degrees in other programs that demonstrate sufficient legal knowledge are welcome to apply as well. If the first degree is not specifically in law, at least 120 of the required 240 ECTS credits must have been earned in that field.

     

  • Degrees obtained from universities outside the European Union will be assessed for equivalency.

 

  • Applicants who do not fully meet the above criteria, may still be admitted if they have completed a relevant degree program of at least 180 ECTS and can provide evidence of additional preparatory studies or equivalent credits amounting to 60 ECTS points.

 

2. Language Requirements

Since the program is completely taught in English, applicants must demonstrate advanced English language proficiency at the C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Proof of proficiency can be provided in one of the following ways:

  • Completion of a degree program conducted in English

     

  • A certificate from a standardized language test, such as:
    • TOEFL: at least 95 points (IBT), including a minimum of 25 points in speaking and 24 points in writing
    • IELTS: at least 7 points
    • Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): at least 180 points

 

3. Application Process and required documents

Deadline and submission 

Applications for the LL.M. program must be submitted through the university’s online portal. The application period begins early May and ends on July 15, 2025. Only 20 students can be admitted to the program each year.

The law school works with a two-step admission system. The first application deadline is 31 May 2025 (23:59 CET). After this deadline, a number of offers will be made to outstanding candidates. The remaining places will be filled up in a competitive selection process after 15 July 2025. In that case, selected students will receive an offer before 15 August 2025.

It is strongly recommended to apply before the early application deadline. This is particularly important for applicants who may need time to apply for a visa to study in Germany. Further details regarding the application process and specific deadlines can be found on the university's website. 

Application documents

As part of the application process at the University of Münster, applicants must upload the documents listed below in the official application portal. These documents are essential for verifying academic qualifications, language proficiency, and eligibility based on the selection criteria. Please ensure that all required documents are submitted correctly and on time to avoid any delays in the application process. 

Applicants must upload the following documents as part of their application:

 

  • Proof of a degree or professional qualification in accordance with the academic requirements, including all relevant academic transcripts. If the final certificate is not yet available at the time of application, a provisional certificate must be submitted, which includes at least the grades of the first six semesters (min. of 180 ECTS) or, in cases of alternative admission, at least the first five semesters (min. of 120 ECTS). If the university does not issue provisional certificates, an academic transcript will suffice. The final degree certificate must be presented at enrollment if admission is granted.

 

  • Proof of language proficiency as outlined in the language requirements section.

 

  • A curriculum vitae and one recommendation letter written by an academic member of staff. Both documents must be in English. 

 

  • Any additional documents necessary to demonstrate fulfillment of the selection criteria.