Leave of absence

A leave of absence is a special form of re-registration and does not release you from paying the semester fees.
You can apply for a leave of absence if your studies are interrupted for important reasons.
Please submit the application with all necessary documents by the end of the re-registration period (summer semester: 15 February / winter semester: 15 August). You can also send us your documents scanned (attachments in pdf format) by e-mail.

• you continue to have student status.
• you will receive the semester ticket (reimbursement by the AStA possible).
• no coursework and/or examinations may be taken.
  This regulation does not apply to a leave of absence due to "raising children" or "care and support".
• you must pay the semester fees.
  If you are on leave of absence due to "illness", "pregnancy", "performing a service" (Bundesfreiwilligendienst, freiwilliges soziales Jahr or similar) or "studying abroad", you are exempt from paying the social contribution (currently €109.00).

• must be applied for within the re-registration period (summer semester: 15 February / winter semester: 15 August). (Exceptions are permitted if the requirements for a leave of absence are not met until a later date).
• As a rule, leave of absence is granted for the duration of one semester. A leave of absence due to raising children can be applied for directly for two semesters.
• can only be granted if the reason for leave of absence exists for at least three months in the semester.
• is not permitted for the 1st semester.
• may affect the payment of BAföG/student finance services or child benefit. Please contact the relevant authorities for more information.

• semesters on leave of absence do not count towards the duration of study (number of subject semesters ).
• a maximum of six semesters of leave of absence may be granted for each reason for leave of absence. This includes semesters of leave that have already been granted at other universities.
• Leave of absence for semesters already completed is excluded.
• a leave of absence for the 1st semester is not permitted.