Leave of Absence

Following an application by the student, the University may grant leaves of absence for important reasons:

1. for illness, provided that the medical certificate submitted by the student shows that proper study is not possible,
2. for students to prepare for or take part in special performance development projects or to leave the University to collaborate on a performance or academic project in line with the programme’s study objectives,
3. for study abroad or trips abroad in line with the programme’s study objectives,
4. to complete voluntary military service, voluntary social service or voluntary environmental service,
5. for pregnancy, maternity leave or childcare commitments for children not yet of school age, as set out in Section 25 (5) German Education and Training Assistance Act (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz),
6. to care for a spouse, civil partner, member of the student’s immediate family or an in-law, in as far as that person requires care,
7. for any other grounds of comparable severity and importance that justify a leave of absence. Evidence of such grounds should be provided through the appropriate supporting documents.

Important information:

Leaves of absence are granted for one semester and students should apply for leave via the Administration Office within the specified registration period for the semester in question.

Students on leave of absence are not generally eligible for semester travel tickets.

It is not possible to apply for a retroactive leave of absence.

It is not possible to grant a leave of absence for a student’s first semester, unless the absence is due to voluntary military service, voluntary social service, voluntary environmental service, or illness.

Students on a leave of absence are not entitled to receive course performance reports or take examinations at the University where they are enrolled. This does not apply, however, to the retaking of examinations where the student failed a previous attempt or to attendance at University events required for an internship or study abroad programme, which is in itself the reason for the leave of absence. Exceptions: study or examination credits may be earned if the leave of absence is due to childcare commitments as set out in Section 25 (5) German Education and Training Assistance Act (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz) or is due to the student caring for a spouse, civil partner, member of their immediate family or an in-law.

Applications for leave of absence should include the following:

• a completed leave of absence form (see below)
• written justification for the application, together with any evidence in support of the reasons given
• where applicable, applicable, proof that the fees and contributions have been paid in accordance with the Student Body Contribution Regulations in their current version (students on leave of absence generally are not generally eligible for semester travel tickets)
• where applicable, the student’s ID card (multi-function chip card) and NRW-ticket

More information on leaves of absence can be found under section 8 of the current version of the Enrollment Regulations for the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln.