Leave of absence
Learn how you can pause your studies for one or more semesters at the ZHAW. Find information on application deadlines, what evidence you'll need to provide and the implications for your matriculation status and fees. Receive guidance on the formal requirements and the impact on your studies.
General
During your studies, there may be various reasons to take a leave of absence for one or more semesters. This may be for personal development, special life circumstances or health-related reasons. Unlike a complete withdrawal from your study programme, you remain matriculated when you pause your studies by taking a leave of absence. You also pay a reduced semester fee, can still access the ZHAW infrastructure and are automatically registered to continue your studies once your leave of absence ends – without having to re-enrol.
You can submit your application for a leave of absence easily and electronically within the general deadlines using the online application form. The online application can be accessed via myZHAW or directly via the link below.
Deadlines and submission formats
- General deadline for all leave of absence applications: autumn semester: end of CW33 / spring semester end of CW03 – submission of online form
- Grace period for leave of absence applications with a recognised reason in accordance with Art. 23 of the general academic regulations: up to the start of studies (autumn semester: end of CW37 / spring semester: end of CW07) – submission with supporting evidence via e-mail to the responsible administrative office
Information on a leave of absence
Type of leave of absence
- Leave of absence without a recognised reason – neither supporting evidence nor a specific reason for the leave of absence has to be provided
- Leave of absence with a recognised reason – a plausible reason (e.g. illness, accident, pregnancy, maternity, care duties, compulsory military service or civil service / civil defence) and supporting evidence must be provided
Number of leaves of absence during a study programme
- Maximum of two semesters without a recognised reason
- Maximum of two semesters with a recognised reason (please note: leaves of absence imposed by the university do not count towards this quota)
Semester fees, registration confirmation, scholarships
- Reduced semester fee (CHF 300 instead of CHF 720), registration confirmation indicates the leave of absence ("on leave").
- In the case of an approved leave of absence after the semester fee has already been paid in full, the difference will be refunded.
- For students who receive a scholarship, the leave of absence must be reported to the scholarship office.
Student status
- Matriculated (on leave)
Account, CampusCard, ZHAW infrastructure
- Account remains active, same access rights as during active matriculation without leave of absence
Acquisition of ECTS credits
- During the leave of absence, it is not possible to enrol in modules and no assessments may be completed.
Resumption of studies following a leave of absence
- Automatic reintegration into the study programme. At the end of a leave of absence, the semester invoice for the regular semester fee for the following semester is issued and enrolment in compulsory modules is carried out in accordance with the study programme.
Were you unable to find an answer to your question? If so, contact your administrative office.
| School | Phone number | |
|---|---|---|
| School of Applied Linguistics, BA in Communication and Media Studies | info.iam@zhaw.ch | +41 58 934 66 11 |
| School of Applied Linguistics, BA in Multilingual Communication | bachelor.imk@zhaw.ch | +41 58 934 61 80 |
| School of Applied Linguistics, BA in Language and Integration | ba-si.linguistik@zhaw.ch | +41 58 934 42 70 |
| School of Applied Linguistics, MA in Language and Communication | master.linguistik@zhaw.ch | +41 58 934 66 55 |
| Angewandte Psychologie (Bachelor) | bsc.angewandtepsychologie@zhaw.ch | +41 58 934 83 10 |
| School of Applied Psychology | msc.angewandtepsychologie@zhaw.ch | +41 58 934 83 10 |
| School of Architecture, Design and Civil Engineering | info.archbau@zhaw.ch | +41 58 934 76 50 |
| School of Health Professions | studium.gesundheit@zhaw.ch | You can find contact persons and phone numbers under the respective degree programmes. |
| Life Sciences and Facility Management | studiensekretariat.lsfm@zhaw.ch | +41 58 934 59 61 |
| School of Engineering (Bachelor's degree) | bachelor.engineering@zhaw.ch | The relevant contact persons and phone numbers for the respective bachelor's degree programmes can be found here on the intranet. |
| School of Engineering (Master) | mse.engineering@zhaw.ch | +41 58 934 45 41 |
| School of Management and Law | studentservices.sml@zhaw.ch | +41 58 934 68 68 |
| School of Social Work (Bachelor's degree) | bachelor.sozialearbeit@zhaw.ch | +41 58 934 88 88 |
| BSc: application for a leave of absence within the grace period (with a recognised reason) | ||
| School of Social Work (Master's degree) | master.sozialearbeit@zhaw.ch | +41 58 934 88 88 |
| MSc: application for a leave of absence within the grace period (with a recognised reason |