Leave of absence

Reasons for a leave of absence are regulated by the Hessian Enrollment Regulation in §8.

1. Illness that precludes proper study (the nature and expected duration of the illness must be proven by a current medical certificate or attestation),
2. For completion of a study-related internship period (please attach proof),
3. Study-related stay abroad. (Proof e.g. exchange program, host university abroad),
4. Maternity leave or parental leave. (Proof of current medical certificate or birth certificate), care of dependents in need of care (please attach medical certificate),
5. Membership of a national squad (A, B, C or D/C squad) of a top professional association in the German Olympic Sports Confederation,
6. Participation as an appointed or elected representative in the academic or student self-government (attach certificate of membership and time spent).
7. The HfMDK also allows you to take a leave of absence in order to prepare for or take a final examination (proof of registration for the examination must be submitted)

Please note that a leave of absence in the first semester is only possible in exceptional cases, especially for reasons 1, 4 and 5 above.

Students can take a leave of absence from their studies for an important reason within the re-registration period. After the beginning of the semester, a leave of absence is usually not granted. Exceptions are leaves of absence due to illness and maternity leave. A retroactive leave of absence for a completed semester is excluded.

Please submit your application for leave of absence as soon as you have made the decision. If you are still missing documents (medical certificate, internship contract, etc.), you can send them to us by email as soon as you receive them. An application submitted early will simplify our semester planning. Only the approval of the main subject teacher must be available for submitting the application so that you can send it online.

It is not possible to receive credits or take part in courses or exams during the semester of leave, except for the following exceptions:

It is possible to repeat failed exams during the leave of absence.
Students who are on leave of absence for the above-mentioned reasons 4 to 6 have the opportunity to participate in courses and to complete coursework and examinations despite their leave of absence. We will be happy to advise you on this.

When your application for leave of absence gets approved, you are not automatically deregistered from examinations in your semester of leave. Please contact the examination office immediately in order to deregister from your exams: pruefungsamt@orga.hfmdk-frankfurt.de

Yes, while on leave of absence, students retain student status and must pay the full semester fee.

Semesters off do not count as subject semesters.

A leave of absence is allowed for no more than 6 semesters (except for illness).
If the leave of absence is due to parental leave, a leave of absence is possible for up to 6 semesters per child.