FAQ
FAQ about holiday semesters
What are the general rules governing leave of absence?
Students are generally obliged to study in accordance with the regulations. In accordance with Article 48, paragraph 2 BayHSchG, students can be exempted from this obligation on application for an important reason such as parental leave, pregnancy or serious illness (leave of absence). A voluntary internship or an academic semester abroad can also be a reason. Leave of absence without good cause is excluded.
Application and deadlines
The relevant application for a leave of absence must be submitted to the Studies Administration Office (also by e-mail) by March 15th at the latest for the respective summer semester and by October 15th for the winter semester, together with the relevant evidence.
If a reason for leave of absence occurs after the above-mentioned deadline has expired and if this could not have been foreseen, applications for the semester already in progress can only be considered by April 30st or November 15th of that year.
What are grounds for leave of absence and what proof is required?
Leave of absence due to illness
A medical certificate must be presented as proof.
This certificate must state the following:
- How long has the disease existed?
- When was the disease diagnosed?
- Are you unable to study or take an examination?
- To what extent can statements be made on further progression/recovery; when can proper participation in the course of study be expected?
Leave of absence due to pregnancy/parental leave
- Copy of the maternal passport or a birth certificate of the child
If the father of the child applies for leave of absence, a registration certificate is also required, stating that the father lives in the same household as the child.
Leave of absence due to nursing
- Certificate of the responsible care insurance company
Leave of absence due to an additional voluntary internship
- Copy of the internship contract
Leave of absence due to an academic semester abroad
- Confirmation of the foreign university
Please note that the leave of absence is revoked if 15 ECTS or more is earned during the semester abroad and credited to the current programme (compulsory or elective modules).
other important reasons
- corresponding written proof
No important reasons within the meaning of Art. 48 para. 2 BayHSchG are in particular economic reasons.
Extraordinary extra workload, clearly limited in terms of content and/or time (only possible in postgraduate studies!)
- Certificate of the employer
Taking an examination despite leave of absence due to pregnancy and parental leave
Both initial tests and repeat tests can be taken. Participation in examinations must be explicitly requested in the Examination Office.
The deadlines for taking repeat examinations are interrupted during the semester of leave.
If you are on leave of absence for the first time due to pregnancy, in order to be able to write examinations, you must also sign the waiver of the maternity leave periods (opens in a new window) together with the application for leave of absence and send it to the Studies Department. Please also state which lectures/examinations you are attending.
Examinations with reason for leave of absence - illness, care, voluntary internship or academic semester abroad
It is not possible to take exams at the first attempt.
Please note that the deadlines for taking repeat examinations are not interrupted except for the leave of absence reason illness.
Feedback and contributions
In case of a leave of absence, the usual re-registration fees have to be paid. It is not possible to exempt contributions due to a semester of leave of absence.
