Maternity leave for students

Fulda University of Applied Sciences supports you in continuing your university studies safely and successfully during this special time of your life.

The Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG) protects you from health risks and disadvantages regarding your studies. This protection applies to all compulsory programmes (on-campus classes, laboratories, field trips) as well as compulsory internships.

To exercise your protective rights, please inform the university informally about your pregnancy.

• Who to inform? Email the Student Administration Office (horstl(at)hs-fulda.de) and your Examination Board.
• What is required? State your expected date of delivery (ideally including a copy of your maternity record).
• What happens next? You will receive an information pack from us about your individual protection periods and the risk assessment form.

Together with your Examination Board, we will identify possible risks (e.g. in laboratories or during field trips).

• Procedure: You complete the assessment form together with the Examination Board and return it to the Student Administration Office.
• Result without risk: You can continue your university studies as usual.
• Result with identified risk: We will offer you appropriate alternative arrangements to ensure you do not face any disadvantages in your academic progress. Should there be a further need for consultation, the Student Administration Office will contact you separately.

The statutory protection period usually begins 6 weeks before and ends 8 weeks after birth (12 weeks for premature or multiple births).

• Relative examination prohibition: You have the law to be exempted from all examinations and on-campus events during this period.
• Voluntary attendance: Would you still like to take examinations? This is possible at any time. Simply submit the written "Declaration of voluntary completion of an examination during maternity leave" to the Examination Board.
• Breastfeeding & prenatal care: In the first 12 months after giving birth, you are entitled to time off for breastfeeding and medical check-ups.