Family & studies

Guide to maternity protection during studies

The health of expectant or breastfeeding mothers and the unborn child or the child being breastfed is protected during the course of study. The prerequisite for this is that the pregnancy or breastfeeding period has been reported to the university on a voluntary basis.

  • Together with the contact person, a form is filled out to document the notification of pregnancy or breastfeeding.
  • A doctor's certificate or a certificate from the midwife* of the maternity assistant with the expected or actual date of birth must be attached.
  • The responsible supervisory authority must be notified.
  • In a confidential discussion between the pregnant or breastfeeding person and the contact person, it is determined whether and which hazards exist in the activities during the course of study (e.g. handling hazardous substances, carrying heavy objects, etc.).
  • If there are no hazards, the course can be continued without any changes.
  • If there are hazards, we will discuss together what protective measures can be taken or whether it is possible to adapt the study conditions.
  • If no such solution can be found, these activities may not be carried out. In this case, alternatives for completing the required coursework will be offered where possible.
  • The discussion will be documented.
  • As a rule, the maternity protection period begins 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after the birth of the child. Deviations are always possible.
  • In order to protect against overwork, the university may not allow pregnant or breastfeeding persons to take part in training events or examinations on Sundays and public holidays or between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. unless they expressly agree to do so.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding persons may not attend events between 10 pm and 6 am.
  • If participation in an examination is desired, which was already registered before the pregnancy was reported and which falls within the maternity protection period or the specified protection periods, a written declaration of consent must be submitted.
  • The form for this is available from the contact person.
  • The declaration of consent can be revoked at any time with effect for the future and individual or all examinations can be deregistered again, which does not result in any disadvantages.
  • Cancellation of examinations must be made in person at the Examinations Office. A medical certificate or notification of pregnancy to the responsible contact person is sufficient proof.
  • The general provisions of the examination procedure regulations apply to examinations that are not taken, meaning that they may be counted as a failed attempt.
  • If participation in courses is desired during these times, a declaration of consent must also be submitted. This declaration can be revoked at any time with effect for the future.
  • If participation in courses on Sundays and public holidays is desired, the university will grant a substitute day off.
  • If an exemption is required, e.g. from physical courses, the responsible contact person must be contacted.
  • The university grants leave of absence for prescribed examinations for pregnancy and maternity.
  • Breastfeeding periods are stipulated by law: Up to 12 months after the birth, you can take time off to breastfeed for 30 minutes twice a day or 60 minutes once a day.
  • Data protection is safeguarded.
  • The HAW Kiel is obliged to inform the responsible supervisory authority as soon as a pregnancy or breastfeeding period is reported by students.
  • The data is stored for two years after the last entry. Information will not be passed on to third parties.

Finance and regulations

  • The type and scope of the benefits depend on the individual situation.
  • The following benefits, for example, can be considered for the Finance of studying with a child, information on which can also be found on the family portal of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth
    • Maternity benefits
    • parental allowance
    • child benefit
    • Advance maintenance payments
    • child supplement
    • BAföG
    • Citizen's allowance
    • Social benefit
    • Housing benefit
    • Financial help from the "Federal Foundation Mother and Child"
    • Education and participation
    • etc.
  • Other agencies such as the Studentenwerk Schleswig-Holstein or the Deutsches Studierendenwerk also provide an overview of how to finance studying with a child.
  • If students are caring for relatives and are also in employment, they may be entitled to care support allowance or an interest-free loan. Further information on financial support for employees providing care can be found on the "Ways to care" page.
  • All information for families from the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth

Various regulations and offers can promote the compatibility of family and studies. External pages provide further information:

Study organization and compatibility

The practice in the departments is characterized by a culture of communication and appreciation for the care work performed. The departmental equal opportunities officers serve as contact persons for questions regarding the compatibility of family responsibilities and department-specific aspects (such as individual semester planning). With the help of a joint discussion, possibilities are to be weighed up as to how specific needs can be addressed while at the same time ensuring equal opportunities for all students.

HAW Kiel offers a number of degree programs in online format.

Under certain circumstances, the following degree programs can be studied part-time:

The aim of compensation for disadvantages is to create equal opportunities for students in special circumstances in accordance with § 18 PVO. This applies in particular to students on maternity leave, with children or with relatives in need of care.

Compensation for disadvantages is not granted across the board, but is always decided on a case-by-case basis by the chairperson of the examination board.

Note: Before applying for compensation for disadvantages due to special family care responsibilities, it is strongly recommended that you attend a consultation with the Family Service in good time regarding the application, individual situation and suitable evidence.

To the schematic presentation of the application, FAQ and much more information

To the application form (HAW-internal)

The Department of Social Work and Health offers the option of applying for family-related pre-registration for up to three of the (restricted) courses to be taken. This support for parents and carers is managed by the departmental equal opportunities officers. In the other departments, you will need to contact the person responsible for the module or the lecturer.

Some students decide to take one or more semesters off in order to devote themselves primarily to family duties for a limited period of time and then continue their studies, which offers advantages but can also have consequences. The Student Secretariat at HAW Kiel can also provide more information on this.

Depending on the availability of places, students have the option of having their child looked after in one of the daycare centers run by the Schleswig-Holstein Student Union.

Adjacent to the HAW Kiel campus is the Grenzstraße daycare center of the Studierendenwerk Schleswig-Holstein (facility with ten nursery places).

There are also municipal facilities and facilities run by various daycare providers as well as childminders, which can also be found via the KitaPortal Schleswig-Holstein, including information on the allocation of places.

Further Counselling and exchange opportunities at the HAW & from the STW

  • Comprehensive counseling services tailored to the needs of students and prospective students
  • Open consultation hours: Mondays 14:00 to 16:00, C18, Room 0.06 and 0.07
  • Telephone consultation hours: Monday-Thursday 10:00 to 12:00, Tuesday also 14:00 to 16:00
  • Zoom consultation hours: Thursdays 17:00-18:00
  • The Social Department offers support and exchange opportunities for students with children, with relatives in need of care or with questions about family planning during their studies.
  • For networking between students with care responsibilities, there is a regular meeting "Barrier-free chatting - you are not alone" every first Tuesday of the month at 12.00 noon, registration via sozial(at)asta.haw-kiel.de (subject: "Stammtisch")