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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

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.

  • Illness, the expected duration of which must be certified by a doctor
  • Study abroad, unless it is an integrated degree program
  • Activity in student self-administration or in university bodies
  • Pregnancy or raising a child
  • Care of close relatives within the meaning of Section 7 (3) of the Caregiver Leave Act, who are in need of care in accordance with Sections 14 and 15 SBG XI
  • Voluntary study-related internships (in Germany and abroad) lasting more than one month during the lecture period
  • special social emergencies*
  • operational concerns in the case of part-time, work-integrated or dual degree programs; in these cases, the leave of absence is limited to two semesters
  • Impossibility of acquiring credits following a semester of leave due to a lack of courses on offer for degree programs with an annual course offering

*In this case, the completed forms for the reason for leave of absence "Special social emergencies" must be attached to the application.

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.

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.

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.

During the leave of absence, students are excused from attending classes in progress.

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.

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!

Anschrift der Hochschule

Annabell Terstappen

LeitungStudierenden-Service-Center

Ernst-Boehe-Str. 4
67059 Ludwigshafen

C 1.114+49 621 5203-258+49 173 7562631+49 621 5203-196

Sybille Juretzka

Stellv. LeitungStudierenden-Service-Center

Ernst-Boehe-Straße 4
67059 Ludwigshafen

C 1.106+49 621 5203-332+49 152 59200319+49 621 5203-196