Semester of leave
Source: https://www.hu-berlin.de/en/study/during-your-studies/study-organisation/semester-of-leave Parent: https://www.hu-berlin.de/en
General information on the holiday semester
- A leave of absence is only possible for a complete semester and cannot be granted retroactively. As a rule, it can only be granted for a maximum of two consecutive semesters, but a new application is possible.
- In degree programmes with restricted admission, a leave of absence is not normally permitted in the first and second semesters, except for reasons such as disability, illness, maternity leave, parental leave or caring for relatives in need of care.
- In the case of multiple enrolment, the leave of absence must be standardised at all universities.
- A leave of absence does not extend any deadlines for study or examination regulations, excludes the use of the semester ticket and should be discussed with the student counselling service.
- If necessary, please clarify with other institutions/authorities (e.g. health insurance) whether there is anything else you need to consider.
Effects on your studies
For the duration of your semester of leave:
- you are not authorised to attend courses,*
- the right to complete internships prescribed by the subject-specific study and examination regulations is suspended,
- the university semesters are counted,
- the counting of semesters is suspended,
- BAföG is generally not paid. Please inform yourself about the regulations in advance of your application at the responsible BAföG office.
* If there is a reason for leave of absence according to § 62 paragraph 2 number 4 Leave of Absence of the ZSP-HU (maternity protection and parental leave), courses of up to 6 semester hours per week can be attended.
Information for international students
Students who have a residence permit for study purposes (§ 16 AufenthG) must inform the Immigration Office of any authorised semesters of leave. Several semesters of leave of absence may not serve the "purpose of residence" (studying) and may lead to problems with the extension of your residence permit. It is therefore essential that you contact the Immigration Office before applying for a semester of leave.
Apply for a semester of leave
Submit the signed application for leave of absence (see below) to the Enrolment Office no earlier than the start of the re-registration period, but no later than 6 weeks after the start of the semester. An application must be supported by suitable evidence. Please note the deadlines.
Important: You must provide suitable evidence of the reason for the semester of leave and submit it together with the application.
Application for a semester of leave
Antrag auf Beurlaubung | Application for a leave of absence - Stand: 18.01.2024
Application for a leave of absence
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Submit request
You can submit the application and supporting documents in the following ways:
- Via the online contact form
- By post to:\ Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin\ Student Service Centre\ Unter den Linden 6\ 10099 Berlin
- Or to the Student Services Department via the mailbox at the Student Service Centre/SSC or in the night mailbox at Humboldt-Universität Berlin. You will find the letterbox at the entrance to the former SSC in the main building (Unter den Linden 6, west wing) next to the lift (blue). It is emptied every working day. Outside the opening hours of the main building, you can use the night letterbox.
Reasons and evidence for applying for a semester off
If you would like to take a leave of absence, you must give reasons. In the table below you will find an overview of the various reasons for leave of absence, including the supporting documents required for the application. It also lists possible reductions in semester fees and charges resulting from an approved leave of absence.
| Reason for leave of absence | Suitable evidence | Exemption from the student union fee possible? *1 | Semester fee without semester ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study abroad | Copy of the internship contract or internship certificate incl. name and address of the organisation/institution and details of the period of the internship | Yes | 62.00 EUR*2 |
| Internship abroad or outside Berlin | Copy of the internship contract or internship certificate incl. name and address of the organisation / institution as well as the duration of the internship | Yes | 62.00 EUR*2 |
| Internship in Berlin | Copy of the internship contract or internship certificate incl. name and address of the organisation/institution and the duration of the internship | No | 147.00 EUR*2 |
| Disability or chronic illness | Medical certificate stating that you are or will be unable to study this semester due to your illness | No | 147.00 EUR*2 |
| Maternity protection | Copy of the maternity passport showing the expected date of delivery / copy of the child's birth certificate | Yes | 62.00 EUR*2 |
| Taking parental leave in accordance with the applicable statutory regulations | Copy of the child's birth certificate | No | 147.00 EUR*2 |
| Caring for close relatives in need of care within the meaning of the Caregiver Leave Act | Official proof of need for care / short written declaration with medical certificate | No | 147.00 EUR*2 |
| Employment with at least 50% of regular working hours | Copy of the employment contract / detailed written justification stating the amount of weekly working hours in the case of self-employment | No | 147.00 EUR*2 |
| Exercise of a mandate of a body of the university, the student body or the studierendenWERK Berlin | Copy of the contract or written confirmation from the relevant body | No | 147.00 EUR*2 |
| Other equivalent reasons | Detailed written justification with official proof, if applicable (e.g. certificate of voluntary service stating the organisation and duration of the voluntary service) | No | 147.00 EUR*2 |
*1 In cases where exemption from the student union fee is possible, the semester fee minus this amount is listed in this overview. If it is necessary for you to pay the Studierendenwerk fee during the semester of leave (e.g. to remain eligible to live in a Studierendenwerk hall of residence), please inform the Enrolment Office explicitly.\ *2 Plus the late fee of EUR 19.94 for re-registration after the re-registration deadline, if applicable .\ Please note
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay the semester fee despite being on leave?
Semester fees and contributions are also due for a semester on leave. If you apply for a leave of absence within the re-registration period for the relevant semester, the (possibly adjusted) semester fee will be displayed in your AGNES account under "Re-registration information". An overview of the semester fee to be paid depending on the reason for leave of absence can be found in the table above. If you apply for a leave of absence after the re-registration period has expired or after the full semester fee has been paid, any overpayments will be refunded to your student account if your application is approved. The Enrolment Office will inform you whether you may need to (re-)validate the Campus Card in the event of an exemption from the semester ticket so that any pro rata refund can be made.
Can I take a leave of absence every semester?
No. In the first semester of all degree programmes and in admission-restricted degree programmes also in the second semester, leave of absence is generally excluded. If there is a reason for leave of absence in accordance with § 62 Para. 2 Nos. 3, 4 and 5 Leave of Absence ZSP-HU (disability, illness, maternity leave and parental leave, care of relatives in need of care), leave of absence may also be granted in the first or second semester as an exception. Please contact the Student Advisory Service at your faculty for advice on how to organise your individual course of study.
How long can I take a leave of absence?
As a rule, you can apply for leave of absence for a maximum of two consecutive semesters per application form.
Does the leave of absence change my student status?
No, you will continue to be listed as a student at HU, but you are responsible for informing authorities and institutions to which you have sent a certificate of enrolment about your leave of absence.
What other equivalent reasons are recognised?
The following individual personal reasons, for example, are recognised as other, equivalent reasons for leave of absence: Voluntary service, death in the family.
Can I be granted leave of absence for doctoral studies as part of my enrolment?
Matriculated doctoral candidates can be granted a leave of absence upon application and submission of appropriate proof.\ \ Please note, however, that the standard processing time for the doctorate is not automatically extended by the duration of the leave of absence.
Legal basis
Regulation on social contributions to the Studierendenwerk Berlin
Interdisciplinary statutes governing admission, studies and examinations