Leave of absence

Except of work, anything is possible as a reason for a leave of absence if it results in you missing at least six weeks of the lecture period within the current course of studies:

• family duties with children
• caring for a family member
• own illness
• a study-related stay abroad
• internship
• active participating in university bodies and the student services organization
• voluntary military service and federal volunteer service
• other reasons if corresponding proof is provided.

It is always necessary to prove the time restrictions before taking a leave of absence. Here are some possible proofs:

• a medical certificate with the duration and scope of impairment
• the maternity log (“Mutterpass”) or the child’s birth certificate
• an internship contract or agreement and confirmation by the subject-specific advisor or examinations office
• exact information regarding location, type, start, and end date of the stay abroad, the type of mobility programme claimed as well as confirmation by the subject-specific advisor/relevant examinations office, and confirmation from the International Office
• confirmation, e.g. from the Student Representative Council regarding the type and scope of activity.

You should apply for leave of absence online via Friedolin 2.0. Instructions can be found here.External link The relevant supporting documents must be enclosed with the application for leave of absence.   If you are uncertain which documents may be necessary, please visit the Student Service Centre or contact us via service deskExternal link.

Leave of absence must always be requested BEFORE the start of the respective semester. In justified exceptional cases (if the reason only becomes apparent during the course of the semester), a leave of absence is also possible during the current semester. A retrospective leave of absence for a completed semester is not possible.

If you do not need the semester ticket and do not wish to make use of the other components (including use of the student services infrastructure, insurance, etc.) and if the leave of absence is ready for decision by the re-registration deadline for the coming semester at the latest, you can apply for a fee exemption via the Student Services in Friedolin 2.0External link. Once your application has been approved by the Student Administration, you will not have to pay the semester fee.

If the application is submitted after the re-registration deadline but before the start of the semester, the fee and any other fees must be paid first; if the leave of absence is approved before the start of the semester, it will then be possible to apply for a refund. To do so, you must submit an application for a refundExternal link via the Student Services in Friedolin 2.0 before the start of the semester for which the leave of absence is requested.

In principle, no study and examniation achievements within the scope of the Basic Law may be made during the leave of absence. In some cases, however, there are also exceptions (see in particular § 17 (6) of the Matriculation Regulation). Very important, of course, is the appropriate coordination with yout competent examination office.

During your leave of absence, you may not be entitled to specific state services. If you have not paid the semester fee, your semester ticket and the insurance from the student services organization Studierendenwerk are put on ice. Please always clarify the details with the relevant points of contacts.

If the reason for your leave of absence is a longer stay outside Germany, e.g. studying abroad, please note the following important information regarding your residence permit:

1) Please contact your competent Immigration Office (IO) approx. 6-8 weeks before departure to register your planned stay abroad of 1-2 semesters. If possible, send a certificate of acceptance (e.g. admission) from the host institution and provide information about yourself and your planned stay (student data, planned length of stay, planned place of residence / country, copy of the currently valid residence permit (RP), which must still be valid for the entire planned length of stay; if the RP validity is shorter, an extension must be applied for approx. 6-8 weeks before departure).

2) If you receive a re-entry certificate from the IO, you can re-enter the country without having to apply for a new entry visa for Germany.

3) If the initially planned duration of stay in the same or in another country is to be extended, the IO must also be informed in good time. Short visits between two stays abroad are not sufficient for maintaining the RP. In case of re-entry before the 6 months have expired, a longer stay in Germany (continuation of studies for at least 1 semester) would have to follow. It is therefore recommended to apply for the RP extension for the entire period (12 months) from the outset, provided that all the information and evidence required for this is available in full.