Leave of absence

They usually have to pay a reduced social contribution for a sabbatical semester, which doesn’t include the VRR and NRW semester ticket. Students taking a leave of absence are not entitled to attend courses or take exams.

The amount of the reduced social contribution and the required documentation in each case depend on the reasons for a leave of absence.

Leave of absence for extraordinary reasons

• Study abroad
  (Documentation: application form, stamped by faculty / institute / International Office)
• Illness
  (Documentation: medical certificate confirming inability to study for the entire semester in question)
• Pregnancy, prenatal care and leave, maternity leave
  (Documentation: “Mutterpass”, i.e. maternity certificate)
• Child rearing
  (Documentation: birth certificate, if applying for the first time)
• Military service, federal voluntary service
  (Documentation: certificate of service, draft notice)

For detailed information on how to apply, please see: “How to apply for leave of absence”.

The reduced social contribution is €23.60 (as of summer semester 2024).

Information on the amount of the social contribution for a leave of absence for extraordinary reasons as well as other information required for transferring it can be accessed via eCampus (Finanzen → Hinweise zur Zahlung des Sozialbeitrags).

Leave of absence for other reasons

Generally, no additional documentation is required, except for a leave of absence where the student is still entitled to take exams.

• Internship
• Stay abroad
• Leave of absence with right to take exams (in this case, relevant documentation is required) (see "Notes on academic credits and examinations” below)
• Other reasons

You can submit your application for leave of absence in writing or by email to the Registrar’s Office (see “How to apply for leave of absence” below).

The reduced social contribution is €148.60 (as of summer semester 2024).

Information on the amount of the social contribution for a leave of absence for extraordinary reasons as well as other information required for transferring it can be accessed via eCampus (Finanzen → Hinweise zur Zahlung des Sozialbeitrags).

How to apply for a leave of absence

An application for leave of absence must always be submitted to the Registrar’s Office within the respective re-registration deadlines.

The required social contribution must already have been paid by this time, so please transfer it a few days before you apply for leave of absence.

It is not sufficient to simply transfer the reduced social contribution, without submitting an application to the Registrar’s Office.

Please submit your application for leave of absence

• by email from your RUB email address to
  stud-sekretariat@uv.ruhr-uni-bochum.de
• by post, enclosing a return envelope addressed to yourself with sufficient postage (you don’t have to send your student ID card with your application).
  to:
  Ruhr-Universität Bochum
  Studierendensekretariat
  D – 44780 Bochum

If you are taking a leave of absence for an extraordinary reason, please enclose the necessary documentation (see above: “Leave of absence for extraordinary reasons”).

Notes on academic credits and examinations

Students on leave of absence are not entitled to complete coursework, obtain credit points that entitle them to take exams, or take exams. (Legal regulation: Section 48, Paragraph 5, Sentence 3 of the NRW Higher Education Act)

This does not apply

• if a student re-takes failed exams or obtains credits as a result of a semester abroad or a practical semester for which leave of absence has been granted,
• if a leave of absence with right to take exams is granted due to care responsibilities (child care and rearing, caring for a spouse, a registered partner, a close family member or a relative by marriage in the first degree).

A leave of absence doesn’t release you from the obligation to notify the relevant examination authority / examination office if you withdraw from an exam.

Additional information