Flexible Deadlines for Credits

According to Section §32 (3) and (4) of the State Higher Education Act (Landeshochschulgesetz), students with children or relatives in need of care are entitled to flexible deadlines or an extension of their examination deadlines in order to complete their studies.

The extension of examination deadlines also applies to coursework such as seminar papers, submission of term papers, presentations, written examinations, etc.

This regulation applies to students with children up to the age of 18 and to students with relatives in need of care in accordance with § 7 Para, Section 3 of the Caregiver Leave Act (Pflegezeitgesetz), i.e. firstly grandparents, parents, stepparents, parents-in-law, and secondly spouses, life partners, partners in a marriage-like relationship, persons living together in a civil partnership, siblings, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and thirdly children, adopted or foster children, the children, adopted or foster children, of the spouse or civil partner, children-in-law, and grandchildren.

A minor in need of care, who is cared for outside the home, is also included in the group of persons to be taken into account according to the law. The caring for a close relative in their final phase of life is also a reason to be taken into account if you request a leave of absence.

Please contact the respective lecturers or examiners to discuss the necessary flexible period in case of personal need.

First, there needs to be established a comparison of time which you are able to set aside for your studies compared to other students in order to determine the length of the extension of your deadline. Please enclose detailed data to prove the need for extra time (e.g. childcare contracts, employment contracts of other legal guardians, etc.) with your application for an extension to the relevant examination office.

In general, students without family responsibilities are assumed to devote 40 hours per week to their studies.