The University

Course of Study

• Leave of Absence

  Students with children are eligible for special leave periods (maternity leave and parental leave), during which they may take a leave of absence. Unlike during a regular semester of leave, you may be exempted from the requirement to pursue your studies in good standing, but you still have the option to attend courses and complete coursework and exams. You can apply for this type of leave of absence as early as your first semester.

  Leave of Absence for Maternity Leave
  If you are a pregnant student and are unable to meet your academic goals during the current semester, you have the option of applying for a leave of absence for the duration of your maternity leave (six weeks before and eight weeks after the birth). To do so, you must include a copy of your prenatal care record with your leave of absence application.
  
  Leave of Absence for Parental Leave
  Students with children may apply for a leave of absence for parental leave for the duration of the statutory parental leave period, i.e., a maximum of six semesters. You are not required to take the parental leave all at once; instead, you have the option of taking part of the parental leave at a later date (up to the child’s eighth birthday). Please notify the relevant examination committee of the period during which you intend to take parental leave. You must submit your application for a leave of absence to the Student Affairs Office and include a copy of your birth certificate with the application. The leave of absence is valid for one semester and must be reapplied for each semester. Both parents are eligible to take a leave of absence for parental leave, even at the same time.

  What should you keep in mind when taking a leave of absence?
  Student leaves of absence are governed by Section 7 of the University of Konstanz’s Admission and Enrollment Regulations. A request for a leave of absence must be submitted to the Student Affairs Office, stating the reason for the leave and providing the necessary supporting documentation. Please use the Leave of Absence Application form for this purpose. A leave of absence is valid for one semester and must be reapplied for each subsequent semester.
  Please note that students on leave of absence are not eligible for BAföG. However, it is possible to apply for Bürgergeld for the duration of the leave of absence.

  Information on Applying for a Leave of Absence

   

• Exam—My child is sick. What should I do?

  Your child is sick, and you have a written or oral exam to take. In this situation, please proceed as you would if you were sick yourself. To postpone the exam due to your child’s illness, you will need a doctor’s note from your child’s pediatrician (§ 22 (4) SPOBa, § 19 (4) SPOMa). 
  Please use the form for withdrawal due to illness. You must list the exams you are unable to take due to your child’s illness, along with the respective exam dates. The doctor will enter the diagnosis and the expected duration of the illness. The withdrawal is valid only for exams that fall within the certified period of illness. Please forward the completed certificate of inability to take the exam to your exam committee chair immediately.

  You can find the form for reporting an inability to take an exam under the section Withdrawal from Exams.

• Pregnancy and Maternity Leave

  Since January 1, 2018, statutory maternity protection has also applied to female students. The goal of the Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG) is to ensure the best possible health protection for pregnant and breastfeeding female students. This allows female students to continue their studies during this time without endangering their health or that of their child, and it counteracts disadvantages during pregnancy, after childbirth, and while breastfeeding.
  
  In order to apply the provisions of the Maternity Protection Act to pregnant and breastfeeding students, students are asked to report their pregnancy to the university (Section 15 MuSchG). To do so, please fill out the form below and submit it, along with the appropriate documentation, to the Family Services Office.

  Notice of Pregnancy and Statement Regarding the Period of Statutory Maternity Leave (PDF Download German)

  The Family Service Center will handle all further steps. It will notify the administration of your degree program, which will then conduct a risk assessment (Section 10 of the Maternity Protection Act). The Family Service Center will inform you of the results of the risk assessment. If special protective measures are necessary, they will be discussed with you.
  Based on the risk assessments, your pregnancy will be reported to the Freiburg Regional Council, Donaueschingen office (§ 27 MuSchG).
  In addition, the Family Services Office notifies the university’s Central Examinations Office.

  What should pregnant and breastfeeding students keep in mind?

  The university may not allow a female student to attend classes during her maternity leave, which covers the last six weeks before and at least eight weeks after childbirth (Section 3 of the Maternity Protection Act [MuSchG]). This does not apply if she submits a written statement to the university agreeing to waive this right. This statement may be revoked in writing at any time.

  Notice of Pregnancy and Statement Regarding the Period of Statutory Maternity Leave (PDF Download German)

  As a general rule, the university may not require a pregnant or breastfeeding student to engage in academic activities between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. (Section 5(2) of the Maternity Protection Act). Participation in educational events until 10:00 p.m. may be approved if
  1. the pregnant or breastfeeding student gives her written consent
  2. Participation for training purposes is required at that time
  3. in particular, any unreasonable risk to the pregnant woman or her child resulting from working alone is ruled out.
   This statement may also be revoked in writing at any time. Studying is no longer permitted after 10 p.m.
   

  The university may not require a pregnant or breastfeeding student to perform academic work on Sundays or public holidays (Section 6(2) of the Maternity Protection Act). Unless she gives her written consent to do so; this consent may be revoked in writing at any time.
   

  The university must assess whether the conditions of study could pose a health risk to pregnant or breastfeeding students. To this end, we must conduct a risk assessment and, if necessary, implement protective measures (Section 10 of the MuSchG).
   

  Female students are entitled to time off for certain medical examinations related to pregnancy and maternity. Breastfeeding mothers are also entitled to time off—at least half an hour twice a day or one hour once a day (Section 7 of the Maternity Protection Act).
   

  If you are working at the university as a student or research assistant or in a part-time position, the provisions of the MuSchG for employees also apply to you. Please contact the Human Resources Department for more information.

  Information Sheet for Pregnant Students (PDF Download German)

  The Family Portal provides additional information on maternity leave for female students.

   

   

• Curriculum

  To enable students with children to fulfill their family obligations, the University of Konstanz offers them the option of a personalized course of study. To do so, the student must draw up a binding study plan and have it approved by the dean of studies or the chair of the examination board for the respective degree program (see § 3, para. 5a SPOBa).

  Please consult the  Family Service Center or the academic advising office for your degree program beforehand.

  You can find more detailed information and the application form here.