Accessibility Services

Are you unable to complete your coursework and exams in a semester due to a disability, chronic or mental illness, or even an economic hardship? Then you can consider applying for a semester off.

A semester-long leave of absence has the advantage for you that you do not have to pay the Semester fee and your standard period of study in the records is not extended. This could also have an impact on your BAföG payments.

Possible disadvantages are that you will not receive the semester ticket during your semester of leave, you will not be entitled to BAföG achievements in this semester or you will not receive any benefits, for example in the university canteen. Likewise, you will not be able to complete any examination or study requirements / credits during a semester-long leave of absence.

If the application for leave of absence is approved, it is valid for exactly one semester. Leave of absence for a second semester is only possible with proof of special reasons.

The application for leave of absence must always be submitted during the re-registration period prior to the respective semester in which leave of absence is granted. At the latest, however, by

• 15.11 for the Winter semester
• 15.05 for the Summer semester

The application for leave of absence must be submitted to the Student Office.

Information for the reasons for leave of absence at Bielefeld University

Application form for leave of absence (PDF)