Each student has the possibility to take a leave of absence for one or more semesters. The reason for the leave of absence must be proven by means of corresponding documents.

Reasons for a leave of absence
• Studies abroad (unless the stay abroad is stated as obligatory in the programme and examination regulations)
• Completion of an internship (unless the internship is stated as obligatory in the programme and examination regulations). For a leave of absence due to an internship, the written consent of the dean must be attached to the application as well as a certification of internship.
• Completion of an official duty (Wehr-, Ersatz-, Zivildienst, FSJ, FÖJ)
• Illness (also of close relatives)
• Collaboration in AStA (or in other university bodies)
• Pregnancy, birth, period of child-rearing (Elternzeit)

Application
The leave of absence must be applied for in writing; copies of the corresponding supporting documents must be attached. The application can be submitted until the end of the enrolment renewal deadline, in special cases also up to the end of the lecture period. It is not possible, however, to have a previous semester counted as a semester taken off at a later date. If you submit your application after the deadline for enrolment renewal has passed, you must then attach your student identification. During the leave of absence you pay, within the deadline for enrolment renewal, only the student union fee instead of the semester fee.

Time and duration of a leave of absence
A leave of absence can only be applied to complete semesters and generally for a maximum of two consecutive semesters. During the course of studies, leave of absence is not possible for more than a total of four semesters. It is not possible to take the very first semester of your course of studies off - for exception in special cases see § 9 Absatz 2 (Immatrikulationsordnung). The semesters taken off will not count towards your amount of allotted study semesters.

Study credits
During the leave of absence you keep your rights as a member of the University. During this time, however, you are not entitled to attend lectures, complete courses or take exams at the University Göttingen.