Students may be granted a leave of absence for compelling reasons upon application. The application for leave of absence must include a justification and the required supporting documents.

Applications can be submitted directly via the e-campus under the menu item Service - Applications . If you no longer have access to the e-campus, please contact the InfoCenter.

Reasons for taking a leave of absence from studies include, in particular,

  1. an illness that precludes proper study,
  2. the completion of a study-related internship that not part of the studies,
  3. a study-related stay abroad ,
  4. the period of maternity leave or parental leave ,
  5. the care of relatives who are in need of care according to a medical certificate,
  6. the temporary work in the parental business due to the illness or need for care of one or both parents,
  7. Membership in a nationally formed squad (A, B, C or D/C squad) of a top-level sports federation within the German Olympic Sports Confederation,
  8. Participation as an appointed or elected representative of academic or student self-governance.

 

Evidence to support the justification

Regarding point 1:       In case of illness, the expected duration of the illness must be certified by a medical certificate.
Regarding point 2: A study-related internship (not basic internship or BPP) is verified by a corresponding certificate from the Departments .
Regarding point 3: Proof of study abroad at a foreign university must be provided by submitting the enrollment certificate from the host university. In addition to the leave of absence application, a written confirmation from the Departments or the International Office regarding the relevance of the study abroad period to the student's degree programme must also be submitted.
Regarding point 4: Proof of maternity leave is provided by submitting the relevant pages of the maternity record (copy) . Parental leave is documented child's birth certificate (certified copy)
5 The medical certificate regarding the care of dependent relatives should also include information confirming actually by the student during the requested leave of absence semester .
to 6: The illness or need for care of the parents or parent must be certified by a medical certificate.
Regarding point 7: Membership in a nationally formed squad (A, B, C or D/C squad) must be proven by a certificate from the relevant top-level sports federation within the DOSB.
Regarding point 8: Participation as an appointed or elected representative in academic or student self-governance is documented by a written certificate from the responsible body.

 Please note the additional information:

  • A leave of absence requires confirmation for the requested semester.
  • A retroactive leave of absence for a completed semester is not possible .
  • A leave of absence during the first semester is generally only possible in the case of leave 1, 4 to 7 (see above).
  • A leave of absence generally precludes the acquisition of academic credits or the taking of examinations. Exceptions: In the case of reasons for leave 4-8 (see above).
  • to retake failed exams , especially from the previous semester , during the leave of absence.
  • A leave of absence to prepare for a bachelor's or master's thesis is not permitted. This also applies to students who have completed no required coursework. Exceptions: In the case of points 4-8 (see above).
  • A leave of absence to complete the basic internship or the BPP (also within the framework of a stay abroad) is excluded.
  • not to take a leave of absence for a semester abroad that is mandatory according to the examination regulations .
  • Semesters on leave do not count as semesters of study.
  • With the exception of leave reason 1 (see above), a leave of absence is possible for a maximum of six semesters. Leave reason 4 (see above) is not included in this maximum limit.
  • The passive right to vote is suspended during the leave of absence semester (i.e., students on leave can participate in university elections, but are not eligible to be elected themselves).