Leave of absence
Information and reasons for taking a leave of absence at Hochschule München
General information
Students may, upon application and for a valid reason, be exempted from the requirement to pursue their studies in the normal manner (leave of absence).
Even during a leave of absence, you remain a member of Hochschule München and retain your student status.
Leaves of absence are granted on a semester-by-semester basis (leave of absence).
A leave of absence is generally limited to two semesters (exceptions: leave of absence for maternity leave and/or parental leave, or to care for a close relative as defined in Section 7(3) of the German Care Leave Act (PflegeZG)).
A leave of absence during the first semester of study is only possible if the reasons for the leave of absence arose after enrolment and could not have been foreseen beforehand.
As a rule, it is not possible to take a leave of absence from the twelfth semester of study onwards.
The following are generally considered valid reasons for taking a semester off:
- an illness that renders the student unable to study for the majority of the semester
- statutory maternity leave and/or parental leave
- caring for a close relative as defined in Section 7(3) of the German Care Leave Act (PflegeZG)
- study abroad
- voluntary internships that support your academic goals
- German Federal Volunteer Service
- Voluntary Social Service Year or Voluntary Ecological Service Year
- Membership as an elected member of a university committee, but no more than once during your studies at Hochschule München
Other reasons can only be accepted following a case-by-case assessment if they are beyond the students’ control. Financial difficulties cannot, as a rule, be accepted as valid grounds.
A leave of absence for a semester must generally be applied for at the time of re-registration for the semester during which the leave of absence is to be taken. If the reason for the leave of absence arises at a later date, applications for a leave of absence may be submitted for the current semester, namely
- for the winter semester: by 31 October at the latest
- for the summer semester: by 14 April at the latest
Retrospective leave of absence for semesters that are already underway or have been completed, even in the case of a documented illness, is not permitted once the above-mentioned deadline has passed.
A request for leave of absence must be submitted in writing to the Examination and Internship Office using the form provided by Hochschule München. The request must always be accompanied by supporting documentation explaining the reasons for the leave of absence.
In the event of illness, a medical certificate confirming that you are unable to study for the relevant semester must always be submitted.
The decision regarding the request for leave of absence will be communicated in writing.
Please always bear in mind
Please be sure to note the following:
Even during a period of leave of absence, students must remain registered by paying the basic fee to the Studierendenwerk by the deadline. During a leave of absence, students may not undertake any studies or examinations for the first time at the university where the leave of absence was granted. However, it is possible to resit examinations that were previously failed.
Exceptions
- During leave of absence taken as part of maternity leave or parental leave, or to care for a close relative, students may continue to undertake coursework and sit examinations without restriction.
- As a general rule, the deadlines for sitting resit examinations are not interrupted by a leave of absence, unless the leave of absence is taken as part of maternity leave or parental leave, for health reasons, or to care for a close relative. If the retake deadlines cannot be met, an application for an extension must be submitted in good time to the Chair of the Examination Board responsible for the degree programme.
If you have any questions, please contact the person listed below.
Contact person
