During the pregnancy, activities for studies are prohibited in principle between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.; in exceptional cases, activities until 10 p.m. are possible.

However, an explicit declaration from the pregnant woman stating that she wants to participate in these activities is required, and there must be no risk to the pregnant woman or fetus.

A risk assessment is then done by the University’s Occupational Health and Safety Unit that ensures that, if you want to, you can continue to study during your pregnancy without any risk for yourself and your child. You can find general information about risk assessments on the Occupational Health and Safety website.

The legal maternity protection period includes 6 weeks before the estimated due date and 8 weeks after birth. The period is extended to 12 weeks after birth for premature births, multiple births (twins, etc.), or if the child is diagnosed with a disability before the 8-week period after the birth has ended. During this period, you do not participate in any mandatory events and will not be admitted to examinations.

If you have already registered for examinations, this means:

• You will be de-registered from the exams. Just as in the case of withdrawals, you will be automatically registered for the next possible examination date.
• For final theses (Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis) that have already been registered, you will be withdrawn, that is, the attempt at the examination is re-set. You can then start again with the thesis.

It is possible to waive the protection period both before and after birth, but this requires an explicit declaration. This declaration may be revoked at any time during the duration of the protection period. Form “Declaration of a waiver of the maternity protection period”

It is also possible to continue studies despite taking the protection period if the student explicitly declares she wants to do so. Registering for an examination is viewed as such an explicit declaration. This declaration can also be revoked at any time.

As previously, you can also take a leave of absence during your pregnancy to interrupt your studies. More information on leaves of absence and request forms

If a student continues her studies while she is nursing, she is entitled to special protections. The requirement for receiving this protection while nursing is that the student informs the university that she is nursing.

A risk assessment is carried out, and the student is informed about any required protective measures during the nursing period.