Leave of Absence from Studies

You can only take a leave of absence from studies in a few exceptional cases, which you can find in the overview reasons for leave of absence.

Reasons not listed here, such as financial emergencies or taking up employment, are not grounds for leave of absence (current exception: Covid-related emergencies).

Further information

• You must submit the request for a semester of leave online in the CAT portal in due time.
• For the first semester of studies, a leave of absence is generally not possible!
• A leave of absence is always granted for the duration of one semester and must be requested again for the next semester if necessary.
• Students on leave of absence are generally not entitled to take examinations.
  However, this does not apply if you wish to repeat a failed examination or if the reason for your leave of absence is the care for your child(ren) or a relative; in these cases, you may take examinations as usual. Please note that this exception does not apply to continuing education students. If you receive Arbeitslosengeld II (unemployment benefit II) during your leave of absence, please consult the Federal Employment Agency whether participation in examinations has any effect on the benefit.
• The status “on leave” will be printed on your student ID card and on your enrolment certificates.
• Although semesters of leave are counted as university semesters, as your enrolment at HSBI remains valid, they will not be considered semesters of study.
• For the semester following the semester of leave, you have to re-register unless you request another leave of absence for the following semester. As usual, HSBI will inform you about the re-registration deadlines.
• You will not be entitled to BAföG payments during a leave of absence. Please ask the Federal Employment Agency directly (ideally, before the leave of absence) about possible ways of receiving benefits under the Social Code Book II. In this context, please also make sure to ask what makes you ineligible for benefits!