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Graduiertenschule für die Geisteswissenschaften

Extension of authorisation due to leave of absence

There are a whole range of different reasons for applying for a leave of absence or an extension of admission; the most common reason at GSH has so far been the birth or education and care of children. In principle, a leave of absence can always be applied for an extention by one semester.
All information on this can be found on the website of the Student Administration Office.

PLEASE NOTE: NEW REGULATION from 21 January 2025:

In easrly 2025, the Student Affairs Office has put the WueStudy Digital Applicant and Student File into operation and has thus set up various online applications. Via WueStudy, you can now submit your applications online for personal data changes, changes of your doctoral subject, leave of absence, de-enrolment, fee waivers and refunds. As a result of this fundamental change, the procedure for leave of absence has also been updated: Previously, approval for a leave of absence was granted with a stamp and signature from GSH on the application form from the Student Affairs Office. With the new online application for leave of absence, there are no longer any application forms available.

The application procedure is now as follows:

  1. Contact your respective doctoral supervisors and the Graduate School office before requesting a leave of absence; this is because yozur Supervision Agreement and/or work plans may have to be adjusted as a result of a leave of absence.
  1. As soon as the first supervisor has sent an authorisation to the GSH office (briefly, informally, by e-mail), the Graduate School can send you a confirmation by email stating that the leave of absence applied for has been approved by the GSH. The GSH will then extend your admission to your doctorate by the one semester you have applied for.
  1. Please then submit your application in WueStudy and upload your respective documents (for the birth of your child, sick leave, etc.) as jpg or pdf files as well as the confirmation email you received from us. The Student Affairs Office will then grant you the leave of absence as a student for the semester you have applied for.