A leave of absence is an approved interruption of your studies. A semester of leave does not count as an academic semester. If you are on leave of absence, you retain your student status and must continue to pay the semester fee. However, you can apply for an exemption from the semester fee. In this case, the benefits associated with student status (e.g., semester ticket or student health insurance) will not apply during the leave of absence.

Please note that a leave of absence may affect your BAföG payments, child benefits, or the duration of your student health insurance. Therefore, before applying for a leave of absence, please check with the relevant office regarding any potential consequences.

Upon request, students may be granted a leave of absence for good cause, such as:

1. while performing military service or federal voluntary service,
2. during maternity leave, parental leave, or caregiving leave in accordance with § 52(5) of the Thuringian Higher Education Act (ThürHG),
3. in the event of an illness lasting at least six weeks that precludes regular study and makes part-time study impossible,
4. for the first up to four semesters of the dual training-integrated program (Bachelor Laser- and Optotechnologies)
5. for involvement in the university’s governing bodies, the student body, or the board of directors of the Thuringia Student Services Association that entails a significant time commitment,
6. for a study-related stay abroad, with the exception of content specified in the applicable study regulations.

You must submit your request for a leave of absence, stating the reasons and providing the necessary supporting documentation, within the re-registration period. If the reason for the leave of absence arises at a later date, the request must be submitted immediately after the reason arises.

The following documents must be attached to the application:

• proof of payment of the required fees (the regulations governing this are set forth in the Student Services Thuringia Fee Regulations) and
• proof of the existence of the reason for the leave of absence.

A retroactive leave of absence for the current semester is only possible in exceptional cases and exclusively for reasons 1 through 4. This requires approval from the relevant Registrar’s Office. A leave of absence for a semester that has already ended is not permitted.

A leave of absence can generally be granted for up to two semesters. In the first semester, a leave of absence is only permitted for reasons 1 through 4.

Further information on leaves of absence can be found in § 23 of the University of Applied Sciences Jena Enrollment Regulations.

A leave of absence may affect matters related to examination regulations, particularly deadlines for examination procedures. A leave of absence alone does not result in withdrawal from an exam. If a semester of leave is granted retroactively, the student will be credited with all coursework and exam results for the respective semester that were available at the time the leave of absence application was received.

• Request for a Leave of Absence (pdf) 234 KB
• Request for a Leave of Absence in Dual Degree Programs (pdf) 198 KB