Freie Universität Berlin

The request for a leave of absence must be submitted independently through the Self-Services portal. The request can be made no earlier than along with the re-registration or, at the latest, within six weeks after classes have commenced.

Depending on the reason for the leave of absence, the corresponding supporting documents must be attached to the request in the “Attachments” tab in the Self-Services portal:

• Study Abroad or Internship Abroad: Proof of your study abroad (e.g., admission letter from the university or college abroad) or proof of your internship abroad.
• Completing an Internship in Germany: Completion of an internship within Germany but outside of Berlin, regardless of the duration of the internship: Certificate for your internship, stating the name and location
• Completing an Internship in Berlin: Completion of an internship within Berlin, regardless of the duration of the internship:
  Certificate for your internship, stating the name and location.
• Pregnancy or Maternity Leave: Maternity leave (6 weeks before and 8 weeks after childbirth, or 12 weeks for premature and multiple births) can only be requested if the notification of pregnancy/nursing has already been submitted to the Student Records and Registration Office. The document for notification and further instructions can be found on our website.
  Please upload a copy of the pregnancy record (Mutterpass) in the “Attachments” tab, indicating the estimated due date.
• Providing Childcare for a Child Three Years Old or Younger: Care of a child under the age of four: Copy of the child’s birth certificate.
• Providing Care for Relatives with Special Needs: A brief written explanation along with a medical certificate indicating the care requirements of the family member.
• Full-time Employment: A copy of your employment contract. Full-time employment is defined as at least 35 hours per week. If your weekly hours fall below this, you can alternatively apply for part-time studies.
• Voluntary Service: For a minimum of six-month voluntary or development service, proof of the service.
• Illness: A medical certificate (attest) stating that you are unable to study this semester due to illness (the illness itself does not have to be named).
• Other (Serious) Reason: The reason must be stated comprehensibly in the Self-Service. If necessary, the Student Records and Registration Office may request additional documentation.

Even during a leave of absence semester, semester fees and contributions are due and must be paid on time. Students who have been granted leave of absence for the following reasons are exempt from paying contributions to the StudierendenWERK. 

• Study Abroad / Internship Abroad 
• Internship within Germany (but outside of Berlin) 
• Maternity Leave 
• Voluntary Service 

If you have not yet made a payment for the requested semester, you can see the reduced semester fee within 24 hours after this request has been approved in the respective re-registration. 

If you have already made the payments for the requested semester, we will refund the contribution to the studierendenWERK. Therefore, please provide your bank account details with this request. 

If you are entitled to an exemption from the Deutschlandssemesterticket, please contact the semester ticket office to apply. Information on the reasons for an exemption can be found on the website of the semester ticket office.

Usually, you cannot request a leave of absence within the first semester of your studies. For further information, please contact the Student Records and Registration Office.

Usually, there is a limit of two consecutive semesters. Overall you can only be “on leave” for half of the standard period of study time (Regelstudienzeit) in the relevant course of study (e.g., within Bachelor programs you can be “on leave” for 3 semesters in total). This limit may be exceeded with one additional semester in justified exceptional cases.

However, leave of absence due to the following reasons is exempt: illness, maternity leave, childcare for a child younger than three years of age, or providing care for relatives in need.

Generally, you may attend courses that includes proof of performance and credit points while on leave of absence. Other rights, such as the right to take examinations, remain also.

Careful consideration should be paid to the effects it may have on other aspects outside of university. These may include, but are not limited to: grants or scholarships, social insurance contributions, tax matters, child benefit, Working student jobs and allowances. Statutory health insurance should maintain during academic leave. BAföG-payments are not provided unless you are receiving BAföG to studying abroad. If you are employed full-time during a semester of academic leave you need to provide social insurance contributions.

Approval of a leave of absence does not automatically extend the standard processing time for the dissertation. If you would like an extension of the standard processing time, please contact your doctoral office for clarification.