The league was created in 1947 as the highest level of football in the newly created state of North Rhine-Westphalia, then part of the British occupation zone.

Appearances in the German championship or DFB-Pokal finals were also rewarded with points.

The five Oberliga champions of the 1962-63 season were granted direct access to the Bundesliga.

Clubs within the same Oberliga that were separated by less than 50 points were considered on equal rank and the 1962-63 placing was used to determine the qualified team.

[1] All Oberliga West clubs except TSV Marl-Hüls applied for Bundesliga membership.

Meidericher SV and Preußen Münster qualified even though both clubs had less points than Alemannia Aachen.