Jump to content Jump to search

Leave of absence due to ill health

A leave of absence due to ill health is possible for a maximum of two semesters. Please note: Applications for a leave of absence for a third semester or more cannot usually be approved.

In order to be granted a leave of absence due to ill health, you must provide proof that your performance is impacted by your condition. You can find further information in this info sheet.

HHU offers a range of advice and support to help you when it comes to resuming your studies after a phase of ill health or as a student with a disability/chronic illness:

  • The Counselling Centre of the Commissioner for students with disabilities or chronic illnesses (BBST) offers advice for students with psychological or physical disabilities. You can go to one of the open consultation sessions at the SSC or make a one-on-one appointment to discuss topics such as:
    • Modification of course and exam modalities
    • Applying for compensation for disadvantages for exams and options for compensation for disadvantages during the period of support payments under the Federal Training Assistance Act (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz – BAföG)
    • Assistance with studies
  • The social counselling service provided by the Studierendenwerk student support service organisation (website only available in German) also offers students with a disability and/or chronic illness advice on topics such as financing, grants/scholarships or compensation for disadvantages.
  • The general student advisory service provided by Student Services offers students advice on the various challenges they face during their studies. In addition to open consultation sessions at the SSC, you can make one-on-one appointments to discuss topics such as:
    • Organising your studies and time management
    • Self-care during your studies
    • Doubts about your studies and alternatives to studying
  • The psychological counselling service (website only available in German) provided by Student Services offers advice to students experiencing concerns and difficult situations during their studies. In addition to open consultation sessions at the SSC, you can make one-on-one appointments to discuss topics such as:
    • Fears
    • Procrastination
    • Feeling unable to cope

Please also note the following information on taking exams, in particular if you wish to apply for a leave of absence retroactively in the current semester.

Note on completing work related to the study programme:

Pursuant to Art. 48 (5), Sentence 3 of the Higher Education Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Hochschulgesetz NRW – HG NRW), students on a leave of absence are not permitted to complete course or exam work, fulfil course prerequisites in the meaning of Art. 64 (2), No. 2 HG NRW, gain study credits or take exams. This does not apply to exam resits and to the fulfilment of course prerequisites within the framework of studies abroad or a practical semester for which the leave of absence has been taken.

When applying for a leave of absence, you must explicitly declare that, in the semester of your leave of absence, you have not taken any exams to date and that you do not intend to take any exams.

Applications for a leave of absence should be submitted digitally via the E-Student-Services portal. If you have general questions about reasons for a leave of absence and formalities, please read the information provided there and on the leave of absence page. For further information, please contact studierendenservice(at)hhu.de. Please direct any questions relating specifically to leaves of absence due to ill health to spv-beurlaubung(at)hhu.de.