# Academic leave of absence

**Source**: https://www.tu.berlin/en/studying/organizing-your-studies/topics-a-z/academic-leave-of-absence
**Parent**: https://www.tu.berlin/en/studying/organizing-your-studies/topics-a-z

You can take a leave of absence from your studies if you can submit proof of valid reasons. You must submit an application for a leave of absence stating your reasons.

Usually an approved application for leave of absence can not be withdrawn.

**ATTENTION: For the summer semester 2024 the Deutschlandsemesterticket will be introduced. We would like to answer a few questions [here](https://www.tu.berlin/en/studying/organizing-your-studies/topics-a-z/deutschlandsemesterticket "Deutschlandsemesterticket").**

Important reasons for taking a leave of absence can include study abroad, an internship, or personal illness, the birth of a child, illness or care of a child or other relative, and the care of a child up to age 18 for a maximum of three years.

As a rule, a leave of absence is granted for one semester and a maximum of four semesters. In individual cases, this maximum limit can be extended if you provide proof of sufficient justification. If you take parental leave, you can be granted a leave of absence for a maximum of six semesters.

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### Submitting an application

You remain a member of the University during your leave of absence. For this reason, varying [semester contribution fees](https://www.tu.berlin/en/studying/organizing-your-studies/topics-a-z/semester-fees) must be paid during the leave of absence.

Applications for leave of absence can only be submitted online via your TU-portal (**[tuPORT](https://tuport.sap.tu-berlin.de/))**. To do this please open the app "Study & Teaching", choose the app "My Requests" and upload the appropriate proof. Please name your file containing your proof as briefly as possible.

Usually an approved application for leave of absence can not be withdrawn.

Information on possible proofs for a semester on leave and the different semester fees depending on the reason of absence is available [here](https://www.static.tu.berlin/fileadmin/www/10002460/Bewerben_und_Einschreiben/Studierendenverwaltung/Beurlaubung_Tabelle_Nachweise_und_Beitraege_ENG_Stand2024.pdf).

If you are still enrolled at another university in Berlin or Brandenburg and pay the semester fees there, upload a current enrollment certificate with your application for leave of absence. It is important that you apply for a leave of absence from all universities at which you are enrolled.

If you are enrolled in multiple degree programs at TU Berlin, you are granted a leave of absence from all degree programs simultaneously. You are only required to submit one application.

### Time of application

You can submit your application for leave of absence together with your re-registration until 15.05. for each summer semester and 15.11. for each winter semester.

A leave of absence is a form of re-registration. For this reason you must observe the re-registration deadline. You must also pay the semester contribution fee and submit any required proof on time. If you apply for leave of absence after the re-registration deadline and without fulfilling the application requirements, you must also pay a late fee of 19.94 euros. You can only re-register until the last day of the semester in which you are still enrolled.

For the first semester, a leave of absence can only be granted in justified and unavoidable individual cases or, especially for students in Master's programs who study abroad.

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### Semester fees depending on the reason of absence

Information on possible proofs for a semester on leave and the different semester fees depending on the reason is available in [this overview](https://www.static.tu.berlin/fileadmin/www/10002460/Bewerben_und_Einschreiben/Studierendenverwaltung/Beurlaubung_Tabelle_Nachweise_und_Beitraege_ENG_Stand2024.pdf).

Students on leave of absence are excluded from the Deutschlandsemesterticket, therefore no semester ticket fee is charged.

### Participation in courses

The following applies as a point of principle: Leaves of absence do not count as degree semesters but they do count towards your total number of semesters at the University.

During a leave of absence, you lose your right to take courses. Your other rights remain affected.

**Exceptions:**

1. You are permitted to attend courses when taking a leave of absence for a maximum of three years to care for a child aged up to 18.
2. You are permitted to take courses during a leave of absence within the protection periods regulated in Section 3 et seq. Maternity Protection Act or during parental leave in accordance with the relevant statutory regulations.
3. If you gradually take up studies again after illness, you are permitted to attend courses.

Please inquire with the [Examination Office](https://www.tu.berlin/en/pruefungen/examinations) about the legal consequences a leave of absence has on deadlines for re-taking examinations, submission deadlines for final theses, etc.

Taking a leave of absence does **not** extend the deadlines laid down in the Auslaufsatzung (bylaws regarding completion of final examinations for discontinued study programs) regarding final opportunities to take final exams in Diplom and Magister study programs that are being discontinued at TU Berlin.

### Examinations during a leave of absence

You are permitted to take exams held **outside of courses** during your leave of absence. However, special regulations apply which you must observe: You are not required to submit both an application for leave of absence and an application for an extension of repeat examinations to the examination board as no deadlines apply during a leave of absence. Once the leave of absence has ended, the deadlines again take effect without special notice.

If you are scheduled to submit a final thesis during the leave of absence and will be unable to submit the thesis on time, please submit an application for an extension providing the specific reasons for your application.

Are you registered for oral and written examinations during the leave of absence and would like to cancel your registration? In this case, you **must** actually **cancel** your registration as you will otherwise be marked as absent from the exam and receive a grade of 5.0.

### Financial implications

You will not receive **BAföG** during your leave of absence.

You are responsible for clarifying the effects of your leave of absence on the payment of **child benefit** with the relevant Family Benefit Office.

If you are in an **employment relationship** that is based on your student status, you should consult your employer before applying for leave.

If the reason for your leave of absence exempts you from paying the **StudierendenWERK contribution**, you are permitted to live in a StudierendenWERK dormitory for a maximum of one semester.

### Consequences of studying part-time

In principle, a semester of leave has no effect on part-time studies. You can apply for both via your TU portal (tuPORT).\
After taking a leave of absence, please check whether you still want to study part-time and whether this status is correctly indicated on your certificate of enrolment.

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