Leave of absence
You can apply for a leave of absence from the obligation to study properly. Here you will find the application for leave of absence and other important information.
Please only apply for a leave of absence after a successfully renewal of enrolment. Unfortunately, the application cannot be processed before then.
Application form:
Please submit the required documents:
- Illness: medical certificate
- Internship: internship certificate (indicating the duration of the internship)
- Course of studies abroad: confirmation from the foreign university, or confirmation entered directly on the application form by the International Office of the University of Bayreuth.
- Maternity leave and parental leave: Pregnancy record (“Mutterpass”) or birth certificate
- Caring for a close relative if care cannot be provided by someone else: written reasons and medical certificate
- Establishing a company: Draft of a business plan and favourable opinion from the Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation
- Other reasons: comprehensive written reasons
- Reasons for Leave of AbsenceHide
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- Medically certified illness if it prevents pursuing a regular course of study
- A leave of absence due to an internship of at least three months; if the programme of study allows for a mandatory internship or an advanced course of at least three months in duration during the standard period of study, the internship must comprise at least four months; it is irrelevant whether the internship is completed in Germany or abroad
- Course of studies at a university abroad, or stay abroad as a foreign language assistant
- Caring for a close relative if care cannot be provided by someone else
- Establishing a company
- Maternity leave and parental leave: Maternity leave and/or parental leave is provided in the form of a leave of absence within the scope of the statutory provisions. Here you find general information about maternity protection and family-friendly studying.
Other reasons can be recognized only upon stringent examination. As a rule, however, economic reasons are not recognized. The reasons for leave of absence should apply for the greater part of the lecture period in the relevant semester.
- DeadlineHide
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The period for submitting an application runs from renewal of enrolment until four weeks after the start of lectures. Please contact us if necessary. Please also contact us if you do not wish to use a semester of leave that has already been approved.
A later application is only permissible if the reasons for the leave of absence were not foreseeable. A leave of absence due to illness, to care for relatives or for maternity and parental leave can be applied for at any time.
No leave of absence can be approved for semesters already completed. - Number of semesters of leaveHide
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Leaves of absence are applied for and granted for one semester at a time, and as a rule should not exceed four semesters. Periods of maternity leave or parental leave, as well as periods of caring for a close relative are not deducted from the maximum entitlement to leave. At the latest, a leave of absence for maternity or parental leave can only be granted until the end of the semester in which the child in question turns 3 years of age. A leave of absence to provide care for a close relative is possible for 1 semester.
The limit of four semesters is enforced only in relation to the specific programme of study, and leaves of absence taken from other programmes of study are not considered in reaching a decision. This also means that four semesters of leave of absence are again available when transferring to the master's programme. However, in the case of a change of university (without taking up another degree programme), the leaves of absence granted at the other university do count.
- Consequences of leave of absenceHide
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Semester fees
The Association of Student Services fee and the cost of the semester ticket must still be paid. Please only apply for a leave of absence after you paid the semester fees. Upon successfull renewal of enrolment, the leave of absence is effective and noted on the confirmation of enrolment and record of study.Coursework and examinations
A leave of absence has the result that coursework and examinations at the University of Bayreuth cannot be completed. This does not apply in cases of maternity or parental leave or providing for a close relative. It is possible to repeat examinations that are not passed. Since winter semester 2018/19, it is no longer possible to take examinations to improve grades during a leave of absence.Number of semesters
Semesters of leave do not count as semesters of study, only as university semesters.BAföG recipients and other scholarship holders
BAföG-recipients and other scholarship holders are advised to contact Upper Franconia's Association for Student Affairs (SWO) or the scholarship provider in advance. We urge you to be informed in advance. If family benefits are still being paid to the student seeking a leave of absence, the Family Benefits Fund should be consulted before applying for such leave.International students
International students who are not citizens of member states of the European Union, must discuss the legal consequences of a leave of absence in terms of immigration law with the local immigration office. - Legal BasisHide
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According to Article 93 para 2 of the Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act in conjunction with § 13 of the Enrolment, Renewal of Enrolment and Deregistrations Regulations of the University of Bayreuth of 10 August 2010 (as amended), the enrolee can be exempted from the requirement of pursuing a regular course of study (take leave of absence) if there is good cause.
- Other notesHide
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A leave of absence during the first semester is only possible if the reasons for the leave of absence arose after enrolment (exception: master's programme).
The consequences of a leave of absence for course assessment can be found in the applicable examination regulations and should be clarified with the Examinations Office.
Students of law graduating by state examination must inquire about the consequences of a leave of absence during ongoing examinations at the Examinations Office, especially when the is a requirement to repeat an examination.
Information for law students on the first examination attempt can be found here. Law students should contact the relevant Examinations Office to clarify the consequences of a leave of absence on their course assessment.
Other student rights and responsibilities remain unchanged, especially the requirement of renewing the enrolment for the following semester.