Juggling school, childcare, and often making ends meet all at once—that’s a real challenge. It takes a lot of organizational and improvisational skills. Whether you start your studies with a child or become pregnant during your studies: You’ll face many questions, for example regarding childcare, financial support, or the conditions of your studies.

We’re here to help! The University of Applied Sciences Jena, Friedrich Schiller University, and the Thuringia Student Services Association have been working closely together for a long time to provide you with answers to all these questions.

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The Maternity Protection Act also applies to students. As a university and educational institution, the University of Applied Sciences Jena is responsible for ensuring compliance with the legal protections during pregnancy, after childbirth, and while breastfeeding within the context of your studies. To make this possible, you should notify the Student Registar's Office of your pregnancy.

• Notification of Pregnancy/Maternity Leave During Studying (pdf) 183 KB

Some academic activities may pose a risk to you and your child—for example, working in laboratories or workshops and handling hazardous substances. If you wish to continue your studies during pregnancy, after giving birth, or while breastfeeding, the university must therefore conduct a risk assessment for you. To do so, contact your program director (you can find out who the exact contact person is at the Dean’s Office) as well as the occupational safety specialist at Sicherheit@eah-jena.de.

During your maternity leave, you are exempt from exams and coursework. The maternity leave period begins 6 weeks before the expected due date and ends 8 weeks after the birth—for premature or multiple births, as well as for children with disabilities, an extended period of 12 weeks after the birth applies.

If you still wish to take an exam, this is possible at your express request. You may revoke this declaration at any time before the exam. You can find more information on accommodations for exams in the handbook and under Equal Opportunity Exams.

In general, the Maternity Protection Act protects you from working between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. and on Sundays and holidays. However, you may work until 10 p.m. and on Sundays and holidays for your studies if you expressly wish to do so and it is necessary for your studies.

For more information, click here:

• Brochure: Studies, Work, and Family (PDF)
• Law on the Reform of Maternity Protection
• General Social Counseling (Student Services)
• Maternity Protection for Students

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Changing and nursing facilities:
The university has a changing and nursing room available: Building 3, Room -1.13. Please ask for the key at the main entrance of Building 2.
Several changing tables are available in the restrooms on campus and in the nearby Carl-Zeiss-Promenade cafeteria: Overview of changing facilities on campus

Childcare
As an external childcare option, the flexible childcare service JUNI-Kinder is available in cooperation with Friedrich Schiller University. Please note the registration information.

Babysitting Service
University of Applied Sciences Jena students have the option to use the babysitting service (including at their own homes) provided by the Jena Family Center on an hourly basis and free of charge during times when childcare is not otherwise available (e.g., in the evenings or on weekends).
To do so, please fill out the Childcare Request Form and send it to fz@asb-helfen.de and marion.seidler@eah-jena.de.