Studying with children - what does my everyday life look like?

Learning and being there for a child - a double burden!
Student parents face the task of planning and organizing their studies so that they are compatible with family obligations. There is no general way to do this, only individual solutions that suit the respective situation. However, with the right advice and planning, they can overcome this.

On this page you will find general information on the most important organizational topics and a list of all contact points at the universities in Karlsruhe and Pforzheim, which can provide you with detailed information on these and other topics.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE
You have the option of taking a leave of absence from your studies. You should apply for this within the re-registration period for the following semester. Semesters on leave are not counted towards the standard period of study.
The State Higher Education Act in its currently valid version specifies in Section 61 Leave of Absence:
  1. Upon written request, student can take a leave of absence from their regular studies should there be any important reasons. The leave of absence should generally not exceed two semesters.
  2. Students on leave do not take part in the university's self-administration. You are not entitled to attend courses or use university facilities, with the exception of the facilities in accordance with Section 28.
  3. Students are granted protected periods in accordance with
    - Section 3 Paragraph 1 of the Act to Protect Working Mothers (Maternity Protection Act - MuSchG),
    - Section 6 Paragraph 1 of the Act to Protect Working Mothers in the version announced on June 20, 2002 (Federal Law Gazette I p. 2318) in the currently valid version
    - and parental leave in accordance with Section 15 Paragraphs 1 to 3 of the Federal Parental Allowance and Parental Leave Act of December 5, 2006 (Federal Law Gazette I p. 2748) in the currently valid version;

    For this purpose, they must be granted leave of absence upon request. Students on leave in accordance with sentence 1 are entitled to take part in courses, complete coursework and examinations and use university facilities. Periods according to sentence 1 are not counted towards the leave of absence according to paragraph 1 sentence 2.

You can find out how leave of absence is regulated at the individual universities at the bottom of this page under study organization at the universities.
MATERNAL PROTECTION AND PARENTAL LEAVE
For pregnant women and parents, the State Higher Education Act stipulates the following in Section 34: “The examination regulations must provide for protective provisions in accordance with the Maternity Protection Act and the deadlines of the statutory provisions on parental leave and enable their use; They must allow for flexible deadlines if students have family responsibilities.”

You can find out how the universities have implemented these requirements at the bottom of this page under study organization at the universities.
EXAMINATION DEADLINES
All universities have published guidelines on extended examination deadlines, especially for students with children, usually in the study and examination regulations. You can find information on how the universities have implemented this here: study organization at the universities.
STUDY COUNSELLING
Expectant mothers and student parents receive counselling on planning their studies from the universities' equal opportunities officers.

You can find information about the counselling centers at the universities on this page under study organization at the universities.

Study organization at the universities

BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG COOPERATIVE STATE UNIVERSITY
Counselling and informtion on:
  • extended examination deadlines
    • leave of absence (due to the dual system, this is only possible in consultation with the training company and usually only for a whole year) exemption from the attendance requirement

You will receive this from your course director and the equal opportunities officer by email: gleichstellung@dhbw-karlsruhe.de.
KARLSRUHE UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Maternal protection and parental leave
The Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences offers students with children various facilities for completing their studies. The regulations can be found in the study and examination regulations part A, if necessary in addition to the study and examination regulations part B of the respective degree program.

Study counselling
The following counselling centers can help you organize your studies:
PFORZHEIM UNIVERSITY
Student advising
The following locations can support you in your study organization:

Studying as a parent
A compilation of important information can be found here.
KIT
Center for Information and Advising (ZIB)

The Center for Information and Advising (ZIB) consults all questions regarding your studies, study plan, student finances and study porblems. They offer events (such as workshops, training- and information events) for different topics. The center is the contact, information and advising center for students, parents, university students and all others interested in university, who are looking for answers to questions in regard to higher-education or general studies.
KARLSRUHE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION
Maternity leave and parental leave
A valid leave policy is available on a leaflet on the homepage of PH.

Study guidance and study organisation
The equal opportunity commissioner at PH Karlsruhe is available at gleichstellungsbuero@ph-karlsruhe.de. You can find the telephone number as well as consultation hours here.
The Studien-Service-Zentrum is the central facility for students and interested students in the Padagogical University of Karlsruhe, see https://www.ph-karlsruhe.de/campus/serviceeinrichtungen/studien-service-zentrum