Leave of absence (semester off)
If you are unable to attend the courses required to achieve your degree objective in a semester for important reasons, you can apply for a leave of absence. A leave of absence can only be granted if the application is submitted in due time and there are important reasons.
Students in their first semester and new enrolments in a higher semester cannot be granted a leave of absence.
We have summarized the most important information for you
How and when to apply for a semester off?
The leave of absence must be applied for within the re-registration period for the following semester by means of an "Application for a semester of leave of absence" including appropriate evidence (e.g. internship contract for internships) and, if applicable, an attachment to the reason for leave of absence "Special social emergencies". There is no retroactive leave of absence for a current semester. Exceptions are only possible in the case of unexpected events occurring after the start of the semester. In this case, the deadline for the application is the start of re-registration for the following semester. In such a case, the application must be submitted shortly after the event.Retroactive leave of absence for previous semesters is not possible.
Reasons for a semester off
- illness, the expected duration of which must be certified by a doctor
- study abroad, unless it is an integrated course of study
- activity in the student self-administration or in organs of the university
- Pregnancy or bringing up a child
- care of close relatives within the meaning of § 7 para. 3 of the Nursing Care Act (Pflegezeitgesetz) who are in need of care according to §§ 14 and 15 SBG XI
- voluntary study-related internships (in Germany and abroad) with a length of more than one month during the lecture period
- special social emergencies*
- operational concerns in the case of part-time, job-integrating or dual courses of study; in these cases, leave of absence is limited to two semesters
- impossibility of acquiring credits following a semester of leave due to a lack of courses offered in the case of degree programs with an annual course offering
*In this case, the completed form Attachment to Reason for Leave of Absence "Special social hardship" must be attached to the application.
Leave semester and semester fee
The semester fee must also be paidduring the semester of leave in order to maintain student status. Tuition fees do not have to be paid.
Duration of the leave of absence
The leave of absence is valid for one semester. It must be applied for separately for each semester. In exceptional cases, it will be approved for a maximum of two consecutive semesters.
Students with children or students who are expecting a child can take more than two semesters of leave in accordance with Section 3 (1) of the Maternity Protection Act or in accordance with Section 15 (1) to (3) of the Federal Parental Allowance and Parental Leave Act, which must be applied for individually for each semester.
Effect of semesters off on college semesters.
Semesters of leave count as university semesters. This means that the counting of the university semesters continues, while the subject semesters are not counted for the duration of the leave of absence.
⇒ Hochschulsemester is the number of semesters one is enrolled at a university in Germany.
⇒ Fachsemester is the number of semesters one is enrolled in a certain subject/program.
Vacation semesters and courses
During the leave of absence, students are excused from attending classes in progress.
Leave semester and exams
No examinations may be taken during the leave of absence. The leave of absence has the effect of exempting the student from any existing examination obligations and therefore does not have to be applied for separately at the responsible examination office.
Semester off and BAföG
BAföG recipients, must immediately notify their Amt für Ausbildungsförderung of the application for the semester off.
During the semester of leave, the funding is suspended. For a stay abroad, however, BAföG can be applied for if necessary.
Students who work part-time are subject to social security contributions.
We strongly recommend that you clarify any questions and ambiguities with the responsible persons in the SSC Student Management and, if applicable, with the Office for Educational Funding before applying for the semester off!