2. Legal provisions

More flexibility provided by the Landeshochschulgesetz LHG (state law on higher education)

The LHG provides the legal basis for parent students to organize their studies flexibly. At the University of Konstanz, we have instated the following regulations and measures to ensure we fulfil the law’s requirements.

1. Deadline extension for an orientation test / intermediate examination

Either the orientation test or the intermediate examination can initially be pushed back one semester. Students are legally entitled to request this extension if they are currently on Elternzeit (parental leave) or can provide documentation of their family responsibilities as per § 32 para. 1 sentence 2 of the LHG. More information...

Who to contact

Departmental student advisory service and the Student Service Centre (SSZ)

2. Extension of the maximum duration of study

Some study programmes (mainly in the natural sciences) limit the maximum number of semesters you may take to complete the programme. As a rule, an extension initially is granted for one semester. Students are legally entitled to request this extension if they are currently on Elternzeit (parental leave) or can provide documentation of their family responsibilities as per § 32 para. 1 sentence 2 of the LHG

Who to contact

Departmental student advisory service and the Student Service Centre (SSZ). The SSZ will contact students before they reach the maximum number of semesters in their study programme and request further information from them.

3. Extension for papers, theses or practice tutorials

Extensions of a reasonable time period can be granted for a term paper, seminar paper, thesis or practice tutorial if relevant documentation can be provided, e.g. a medical certificate for your child’s illness. Students are legally entitled to request this extension as per § 34 para. 1 sentence 2 of the LHG.

Who to contact

Contact the respective teacher of the course to request an extension for a term paper, seminar paper or practice tutorial.

In the case of a thesis, please contact the Central Examination Office in the Division of Student Affairs and Teaching. The only exceptions are when the respective departmental student advisory service is responsible for the administration of bachelor’s theses. Please submit the original versions of either a medical certificate or a written request to either the Central Examination Office in the Division of Student Affairs and Teaching or to the respective departmental student advisory service. Students are legally entitled to request this extension as per § 34 para. 1 sentence 2 of the LHG.

4. Withdrawal from an examination due to illness

You can withdraw from examinations if unforeseen family duties arise, for example if your child/partner/childcare provider falls ill Up to one hour before your examination is scheduled to begin, you may withdraw by sending an email to the respective Examination Office. You will need to submit relevant documentation afterwards (e.g. a medical certificate for your child’s illness). Students are legally entitled to withdraw from an examination as per § 34 para. 1 sentence 2 of the LHG.