Studying whilst looking after a child and information on maternity leave
Studying with a child is a challenge for parents in many respects: not only must the demands of studying be mastered, but the care and education of the child must also be organised. In addition, there might arise financial burden, especially for student parents.
THI has set itself the goal of providing students with children with optimal support and not leaving the parents to cope alone with the many challenges they face. The university offers its students with children a wide range of support, from leave of absence to childcare. The offer is complemented by personal counselling: by telephone, e-mail or on-site. You are welcome to make an appointment with the Equal Opportunities Officer.
Leave of absence
THI offers students the opportunity to take up to six semesters off on maternity leave or parental leave. The special twist within that offer is the fact that during this leave of absence - in contrast to leave of absence for other reasons - students can also take part in courses and complete studies and examinations. The standard period of study is extended accordingly.
This regulation offers studying parents the opportunity to combine studies and childhood. They can either continue their studies regularly or organise a kind of "individual part-time study" by taking leave of absence.
For further questions please turn to the Service Center Study Affairs.
Part-time studies
The reality of life of many students today no longer corresponds to that of the past. The "normal student" - in his early twenties, childless, financially secure and full-time - is rarely the rule. THI is reacting to this development.
THI Business School now offers its bachelor's degree course in Business Administration as a part-time model in addition to the existing full-time degree course. The part-time course of studies was set up especially for students who have a justified need for part-time work due to special life situations. The contents of the part-time study course correspond to the full-time Bachelor of Business Administration, but students have more time available, e.g. to take better care of their children or relatives.
Rooms for changing diapers and breastfeeding
On the 2nd floor of building F is the parent-child office in F 114, which is available to all THI members with children as a retreat, for working, changing diapers or breastfeeding. To gain access to the parent-child office, you must register once with the Equal Opportunities Officer.
Additional nappy-changing facilities are located in the barrier-free toilet on the first floor opposite the library, in building F in first-aid room F 216, in buildings G and J in the barrier-free toilets on the ground floor and in the toilet area of the canteen.
Studying with a child
Part-time study
The reality of life for many students today is no longer what it used to be. The ‘typical student’ – in their early twenties, childless, financially secure and studying full-time – is now rarely the norm. Ingolstadt University of Applied Sciences is responding to this trend.
For several years now, THI Business School has offered a part-time option alongside the existing full-time Bachelor’s degree programme in Business Administration. The part-time programme was set up specifically for students who, due to particular life circumstances, have a legitimate need to study part-time. The curriculum of the part-time programme is identical to that of the full-time Bachelor’s in Business Administration; however, students have more time available to, for example, better look after their children or other dependants.
Leave of absence
THI offers students the option of taking a leave of absence for up to a maximum of six semesters for maternity or parental leave. What makes this arrangement unique is that, unlike leave of absence for other reasons, students may continue to attend lectures and complete coursework and examinations during this period. The standard duration of study is extended accordingly.
This arrangement enables student parents to balance their studies with childcare. They can either continue their studies as normal or use the leave of absence to organise a form of ‘individual part-time study’.
General information on taking a leave of absence from studies
Facilities for nappy changing and breastfeeding
On the 2nd floor of Building F, in room F 114, is the Parent-Child Office, which is available to all members of the THI with children as a quiet space to work, change nappies or breastfeed. To gain access to the Parent-Child Office, you must register once with the Equal Opportunities Officer.
Further nappy-changing facilities are located in the accessible toilet on the first floor opposite the library, in Building F in the first-aid room (F 216), in Buildings G and J in the accessible toilets on the ground floor, and in the toilet area of the canteen.
Maternity leave
Information on the Maternity Protection Act from 1 January 2018
All female students who are pregnant or breastfeeding will be covered by the Maternity Protection Act from 1 January 2018. Maternity protection is now granted as a matter of course, without you having to submit an application.
In order to benefit from maternity protection, you must, in accordance with Section 15 of the Maternity Protection Act, notify the university of your pregnancy as soon as possible.
Therefore, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please contact the Student Affairs Service Centre immediately. You can only exercise your rights under the Maternity Protection Act if you notify the university. We are also happy to advise you on any further questions regarding your pregnancy and look forward to hearing from you.
The point of contact for registration and all examination-related matters concerning maternity protection is the
Student Affairs Service Centre (SCS)
Protection periods under maternity protection law
On 1 January 2018, the Act on the Protection of Mothers at Work, in Training and in Higher Education
(Article 1 of the Act on the Reform of Maternity Protection Law of 23 May 2017, Federal Law Gazette I, p. 1228).
The periods of protection under maternity protection law also apply to female students. During the period from six weeks before to eight (or, in special cases, twelve) weeks after giving birth, they are exempt from their obligation to pursue their studies in the normal manner (e.g. sitting examinations). However, affected female students may, by making an explicit request to the university, waive the statutory protection before and/or after childbirth; this declaration may be revoked at any time with effect for the future.
In addition, special provisions apply to breastfeeding periods.
In addition to a number of other substantive amendments, the Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG) provides for an extension of the personal scope of application of this Act. In particular, the MuSchG also applies to pregnant or breastfeeding female students if the university mandatorily specifies the location, time and schedule of the educational programme, or if female students are required to complete a mandatory work placement as part of their university education.