Leave of absence

A leave of absence is only possible due to several well-defined reasons. It cannot be granted for an individual degree programme but affects all of your studies at the University of Vienna. 

First, read which consequences a leave of absence has, then decide if you want to submit your application. 

Reasons for leave of absence

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  • Legal reasons for leave of absence
    • Pregnancy
      Proof: mother-child pass with the estimated date of delivery or medical confirmation 
    • Child care or other care obligations
      Note: You can apply for a leave of absence multiple times until the child reaches age of majority.
      Proof: certificate of registration (“Meldezettel”) of the applicant, as well as certificate of registration (“Meldezettel”) and birth certificate of the child or proof of kinship (certificate of birth/marriage) and notification of care level or confirmation by a medical specialist regarding the need for care (no diagnosis required!) as well as certificate of registration ("Meldezettel") of you and the person you take care of
    • Military service, training service or civilian service
      Proof: confirmation of military or civil service agency
    • Voluntary year of environmental protection, memorial, peace or social service abroad (§ 22 to 27a Voluntary Service Act)
      Proof: confirmation by the agency or mediating authority
    • Disease which prevents you from pursuing your studies
      Proof: medical confirmation of a considerable impairment from your studies due to disease/injury with a duration of at least four weeks (no diagnosis needed!)
    • Temporary impairment in relation to a disability
      Proof: disability card, expert evaluation
    • A significant interference with your studies of at least four weeks due to professional activities or training and qualification measures related to your professional activity
      Proof: confirmation of the employer of a significant interference with your studies during at least four weeks due to your employment (which exceeds the minor employment threshold).
      In case of training and qualification measures: additionally, a confirmation of participation/registration by the training institute including number of lessons and course duration.
    • A significant interference with your studies during at least four weeks due to the settlement of issues with authorities abroad
      Proof: summons, official order or other confirmation letter by an authority, including at least two appointments with a gap of at least four weeks. Additionally, a confirmation of attendance by the authority is required retrospectively.
  • Prevention from studying (current situation in Ukraine)

    Due to the current situation in Ukraine, students from Ukraine or the Russian Federation can apply for a leave of absence in the winter semester 2023/24 until 30 September 2023.

    Provide a brief description of your inability to study in the online form in the Servicedesk.

  • Prevention from studying (natural disaster in Türkiye and Syria)

    Due to the current situation in Türkiye and Syria, affected students can apply for a leave of absence in winter semester 2023/24 until 30 September 2023. Before submitting your application, check if there are options for alternate (digital) courses and exams and contact the teachers or directorate of studies of your degree programme.

    Provide a brief description why you are prevented from studying in the online form in the Servicedesk. 

What do you have to keep in mind?

  • During your leave of absence, you have to pay the Students' Union fee on time each semester. Whether or not you have to pay the tuition fee depends on the time of submitting your application for leave of absence. 
  • If your application for leave of absence has been denied, you have to pay the prescribed tuition fee including the Students’ Union fee. The same applies if you withdraw an application for leave of absence that has already been granted.
  • If want to take an additional leave of absence at another university, you need to apply separately at that university.
  • A leave of absence due to child care is possible until the child reaches the age of majority. Both parents can be on leave of absence at the same time.
  • After the leave of absence ends, you may take exams (even those of the semester you were on leave).
  • Your enrolment remains intact and you may still use the u:account services and the university library. 
  • You only receive a student record sheet (“Studienblatt”), but no confirmation of enrolment (“Studienbestätigung”). The u:card cannot be validated or used as a student ID while you are on a leave of absence.
  • Having been granted a leave of absence does not mean that your residence permit is going to be granted or renewed. The MA 35 has its own procedure. Please contact the MA 35 for any questions regarding your residence permit before you apply for a leave of absence.
  • It is possible to take a leave of absence while you participate in the University Preparation Programme of the Vienna Universities (VWU). Make sure to contact the MA35 for any question regarding possible effects on your visa/residence permit! 
  • You might not get a semester ticket at the Vienna Transport Authority (Wiener Linien). 
  • You might not be entitled to family allowance (Familienbeihilfe) or federal study grant (Studienbeihilfe). 
  • Your co-insurance with relatives or student self-insurance may be cancelled (ask your insurance company).
  • A leave of absence does not prevent the automatic change to a new curriculum. 
  • If you are admitted to a doctoral/PhD-programme and want to take a leave of absence, please contact the Center for Doctoral Studies.
  • If you are admitted to a postgraduate programme and want to take a leave of absence, please contact the Service Center of the Postgraduate Center.

Leave of absence before the beginning of the semester

  1. Scan all required documents and make sure that they are easily readable and saved in high quality. Merge all documents into one PDF file with an online tool of your choice.
  2. Fill in the online form in the Servicedesk within the application period and add the documents as attachment (in the top of the online form). 

 Deadlines

  • Winter semester 2023/24: from 10 July to 30 September 2023
  • Summer semester 2024: from 8 January to 29 February 2024

We recommend submitting your application as soon as possible. Then you are able to pay the tuition fee/Students’ Union fee in time, even if your application is denied. 

After your application has been processed, you will receive an e-mail to your u:account e-mail address. As soon as the Students’ Union fee is received in u:space > Financial Matters > Tuition fee/Students’ Union fee, you can print your student record sheet at Personal matters > My documents. 

What is not allowed?

If your leave of absence was granted, you are not allowed to do the following during a specific period:

  • attend lectures/classes
  • hand in academic papers 
  • take examinations

In winter semester: from 1 November to 28/29 February
In summer semester: from 1 April to 30 September

Leave of absence during the semester

A leave of absence during the semester is only possible, if one of the following reasons comes to pass after the beginning of the semester:

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  • Unforeseen and inevitable events
    • Pregnancy
      Proof: mother-child pass with the estimated date of delivery or medical confirmation 
    • Child care or other care obligations
      Note: You can apply multiple times for a leave of absence until the child reaches age of majority.
      Proof: certificate of registration (“Meldezettel”) of the applicant, as well as certificate of registration (“Meldezettel”) and birth certificate of the child or proof of kinship (certificate of birth/marriage) and notification of care level or confirmation by a medical specialist regarding the need for care (no diagnosis required!) as well as certificate of registration ("Meldezettel") of you and the person you take care of
    • Disease that prevents you from pursuing your studies
      Proof: medical confirmation of a considerable impairment from your studies due to injury/disease with a duration of at least four weeks (no diagnosis needed!)
    • Temporary impairment in relation to a disability
      Proof: disability card, expert evaluation

 Deadlines

  • winter semester: from 1 October to 28/29 February
  • summer semester: from 1 March to 30 September

This is how you apply for a leave of absence after the beginning of the semester:

  1. Scan all required documents and make sure that they are easily readable and saved in high quality. Merge all documents into one PDF file with an online tool of your choice.
  2. Fill in the online form in the Servicedesk within the application period and add the documents as attachment (in the top of the online form). 

After your application has been processed, you will receive an e-mail to your u:account e-mail address.

Reimbursement of the tuition fee

The reimbursement of the tuition fee is only possible, if you have submitted your application for leave of absence in the first half of the semester before a certain deadline. Thereby, the lecture-free period is not taken into account. The deadline for a leave of absence in winter semester is 30 November and for summer semester 30 April.

Application for leave of absence in October/March

If you were admitted at the University of Vienna in the preceding semester and apply for leave of absence from 1 to 31 October (for the winter semester) or from 1 to 31 March (for the summer semester) you may: 

  • attend lectures/classes
  • hand in academic papers 
  • take examinations (study achievements – especially classes/exams remain valid if completed before the submission of the application for leave of absence remain valid)

After the following deadline the aforementioned things are no longer possible: 

  • leave of absence in winter semester: from 1 November to 28/29 February
  • leave of absence in summer semester: from 1 April to 30 September 

Application for leave of absence from November/April

If you apply for leave of absence during the semester after 31 October (for the winter semester) or 31 March (for the summer semester), you are not allowed to do the following after submitting your application: 

  • attend lectures/classes
  • hand in academic papers
  • take examinations (study achievements – especially classes/exams remain valid if completed before the submission of the application for leave of absence remain valid)

These rules apply for the following periods: 

  • in winter semester: from the time of application until 28/29 February
  • in summer semester: from the time of application until 30 September