Leave of absence
Students can apply for leave of absence from their studies for good cause.
1. a temporary illness that makes it impossible to study properly in the semester in question;
2. caring for a close relative within the meaning of Section 7 (3) of the Caregiver Leave Act who is in need of care within the meaning of Sections 14 and 15 of the Eleventh Book of the German Social Code;
3. pregnancy, maternity leave and care of a child during periods in which there would be an entitlement to maternity leave or parental leave if an employment relationship existed
4. a study-related stay at a foreign university;
5. absence due to an internship outside the university prescribed in the study or examination regulations, which takes up significant parts of the lecture period in addition to the lecture-free period;
6. the completion of a voluntary internship or participation in a research project, if the student would suffer a disproportionate disadvantage as a result of refusing the leave of absence;
The leave of absence is granted for the duration of a full semester. Students can only be granted leave of absence for the current or an upcoming semester; retroactive leave of absence is not possible. As a rule, up to a total of four semesters, but no more than two consecutive semesters, of leave of absence will be granted in a degree program. This does not include periods of leave of absence due to pregnancy or raising a child in accordance with the Maternity Protection Act and the Federal Child-Raising Allowance Act, as amended. Even if there is an important reason (see above), a leave of absence in the first semester is only possible if the refusal of the leave of absence would mean an unreasonable, particular hardship.
The application for a leave of absence must be submitted to the Student Service Center, Registrar's Office at the time of re-registration, but no later than the start of lectures for the semester of leave. If the above-mentioned reason for leave of absence occurs after the start of the semester without this being foreseeable, the application can still be submitted for the current semester after prior consultation with the Registrar's Office. However, the application must be submitted immediately after becoming aware of the reason for the leave of absence. Late applications will be rejected as inadmissible.
Leave of absence must be applied for again for each additional semester.
Documents to be submitted
In addition to the application for leave of absence, depending on the reason for the leave of absence, supporting documents must be submitted either in the original or as a certified copy, e.g:
- for internships - certificate from the employer stating the duration of the internship
- for health reasons - medical certificate or, on request, an official medical certificate
- for parental leave - copy of birth certificate
- if studying at a university abroad - endorsement from the other university