Pregnancy & family during your studies
We believe that people should not have to choose between career and family. That's why the University of applied sciences does a lot for pregnant students and people who are raising children during their studies. Our information for
Pregnant at university
Maternity protection for pregnant & breastfeeding students
On 1 January 2018, the Act on the Revision of Maternity Protection Law and thus a new Maternity Protection Act came into force (Act on the Protection of Mothers at Work, in Training and at University). The Maternity Protection Act now also applies to female students, insofar as the place, time and schedule of the training event is prescribed by the training centre or they are completing a mandatory internship as part of their university education.
During maternity leave, students can apply for exceptions to compulsory courses, examinations or internships without suffering any disadvantages as a result.
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When does maternity protection apply?
Maternity protection begins as soon as the pregnancy is recognised. It applies until after the birth and during the breastfeeding period, as the law is intended to protect the health of mother and child from the beginning of the pregnancy up to 12 months after the birth.
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Do I have to inform the University of applied sciences that I am pregnant?
The pregnancy should be reported to Student.Service so that the University of applied sciences can take important protective measures. We also require the expected date of delivery.
The University of applied sciences is obliged to notify the labour inspectorate of the pregnancy immediately. Third parties may not be informed without the consent of the person concerned.
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How do I report my pregnancy to Student.Service?
The pregnancy can be reported informally or using the form provided by us. In any case, a copy of the mother's passport or a medical certificate stating the expected date of delivery is required.
Breastfeeding mothers returning to their place of study should report their breastfeeding period to Student.Service. During the breastfeeding period, students are still protected by the Maternity Protection Act and are entitled to certain rest periods, rooms, etc. In addition, the University of applied sciences must report breastfeeding students to the labour inspectorate.
If the pregnancy has already been reported during the period of study, it is not necessary to report the breastfeeding period. Third parties may not be informed without consent.
Protective regulations for expectant & breastfeeding mothers at the University of applied sciences
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Protection periods before delivery
The period of protection prior to childbirth comprises the last six weeks before the expected date of delivery. If the birth does not take place on the expected date, the period of protection before the birth is shortened or extended accordingly.
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Ban on working on Sundays & public holidays
The University of applied sciences may not allow pregnant students to work on Sundays and public holidays as part of their university education.
Participation in educational events on Sundays and public holidays is only permitted if ...
- the pregnant person expressly agrees to this. This declaration can be revoked at any time with effect for the future.
- participation is necessary for training purposes at this time,
- a replacement rest day is granted each week following an uninterrupted night's rest of at least eleven hours
- and, in particular, there is no irresponsible risk from working alone.
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Ban on night work
The University of applied sciences may not allow pregnant women to take part in educational programmes between 8 pm and 6 am.
The University of applied sciences may allow pregnant persons to attend training events until 10 p.m. if ...
- there is an explicit declaration from the pregnant person,
- participation is necessary for educational purposes at this time
- and there is no irresponsible risk from working alone.
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Prohibition of overtime & rest periods
A pregnant or breastfeeding student who is 18 years of age or older may not be employed in work that requires her to work more than eight and a half hours a day or more than 90 hours in a double week.
A pregnant or breastfeeding student under the age of 18 may not be employed to work more than eight hours a day or more than 80 hours in a double week. Sundays are included in the double week.
An uninterrupted rest period of at least eleven hours must be observed.
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Relaxation rooms
Our first aid rooms are available to pregnant and breastfeeding women for breaks and work interruptions.
List of first aid rooms:
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Moving loads
Pregnant students may only be employed to lift and carry loads in compliance with maximum weights if no technical aids are used. In addition to lifting and carrying, loads caused by pushing and pulling or otherwise moving loads must also be taken into account. Pregnant women may only regularly lift or carry up to 5 kg and occasionally up to 10 kg by hand.
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Prolonged standing or sitting
From the 6th month onwards, pregnant women may only carry out activities that require them to stand for a maximum of four hours a day. There must be opportunities to sit and rest briefly and to take short breaks from work. In the case of purely sedentary work, there must be opportunities to take short breaks from work.
Practical semester
The internship centre is responsible for compliance with maternity protection during the practical semester. The work placement centre must therefore know whether you are pregnant. Students should therefore inform the work placement centre independently and as early as possible.
For reasons of data protection, the University of applied sciences does not provide notification.
Studying with a child
Studying with a child requires a high degree of organisation - in addition to the normal demands of university studies. Typical questions that students with children ask themselves are:
- Am I entitled to a leave of absence?
- Can I take exams?
- How many courses can I attend?
- Who do I turn to if I have questions?
- Is there any financial support?
We try to clarify most questions here, the subject advisors, the teaching staff and the women's representatives of the respective department or the University of applied sciences are available for personal consultations.
Leave of absence for student parents
Students can be granted leave of absence if there are circumstances that entitle employees to parental leave. However, a leave of absence is not necessarily tied to the periods specified for parental leave.
A leave of absence is only possible from the 2nd semester onwards. During this time, however, coursework and examinations can be taken.
During a leave of absence, there is no entitlement to support according to the Federal Education and Training Assistance Act guidelines, but there may be requirements for support according to ALG II.
Student parents can obtain further information on applications and deadlines from the Student.Service on their campus.
Childcare for HSWT students
Students have various options for accommodating their children during lectures or during their working hours.
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Weihenstephan Campus
Kindervilla Dr Gudula Wernekke-Rastetter
Am Weihenstephaner Steig 17
85354 Freising
+49 8161 71-5869
kindervilla@stwm.deKinderkrippe Krabbelstube Weihenstephan
Emil-Erlenmeyer-Forum 4
85354 Freising
+49 8161 12706 or +49 8161 71-5068
(Please do not call from 12:00 -14:15 - lunchtime quiet!)
krabbelstube@weihenstephan.de
Registration form Kinderkrippe Krabbelstube WeihenstephanThere is also the Kinder(t)räume kindergarten as a parents' initiative.
Kinder(t)räume Weihenstephan
(for children aged 2 to 6)
Maximus-von-Imhof-Forum 5 (rear building Canteen)
85354 Freising
+49 8161 71-5140
info@kindertraeume-weihenstephan.deFlexible childcare (not in the mornings) can be booked via the family service.
More information on events at the Stud. Eltern-Kind-Initiativen e. V. can be found here.
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Childcare at the Triesdorf campus
For students in Triesdorf, the Ev.-Luth. Haus des Kindes "Polarstern" in Weidenbach provides places with loving care.
The municipality of Weidenbach has a multi-generational centre with a wide range of services.
Financial support for studying with a child
These contact points offer counselling and financial support for student parents and single parents.
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Subsidy for flexible childcare
In the event of an "out-of-order situation", financial support can be provided for self-organised childcare. This is emergency childcare. It is not intended to cover private appointments, but to cover a study-related childcare shortage.
Further information in the flyer.
Contact Weihenstephan:
Christiane Setzwein, assistant to the Women's Representative
+49 8161 71-6316
christiane.setzwein@hswt.deContactTriesdorf:
Funda Nehmeier, Assistant to the Deputy Women's Representative
+49 9826 654-346
funda.nehmeier@hswt.de -
Financial support for students with children
Munich Student Aid offers scholarships for student mothers and fathers. Single-parent students can also receive support from the Hildegardis Association and the Social Service of Catholic Women with the "Madame Courage" project.
Children eat for free in the HSWT Canteens
HSWT students and their children benefit from a free children's meal or an addition to the parent's meal order. These conditions apply at the respective campus.
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Conditions for the Canteen (Weihenstephan campus)
Children (up to the age of 6) of students receive a free lunch in the Canteens and Stu-Cafes of the Munich Student Union.
Parents can obtain a "children's card" from the service offices and info points on presentation of their certificate of enrolment and the child's birth certificate. In Weihenstephan, the info point is located in the TU Canteen building. As soon as a parent with a child orders two meals, the cheaper one is free.
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Condition in the cafeteria (Triesdorf campus)
Children of students (up to the age of 10) receive a free lunch in the Mensateria of the Erlangen-Nuremberg Student Union.
For this purpose, you can pick up the application form for the "Kindertellerkarte" from the management of the Mensateria or your deputy. The children's meal is a free addition to the parents' meal. The parent must also eat, only then is a children's plate portion free. All information about the children's plate.
Meetings & exchange opportunities for student parents
Whether online or offline: Students with children can use these meeting places to talk to other parents, exchange tips and organise everyday life together.
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Exchange platform on Moodle
The Office of the President 3 | Gender & Diversity would like to give all pregnant students and all students with children the opportunity to exchange ideas and share experiences and information. Interested students should get in touch with the contact person for gender equality to be added to the Moodle course room.
We are also happy to include bazaar dates for children's items etc. in the Moodle course room.
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Parent-child room for students with children
Parent-child rooms are available on both campuses of the HSWT to help students with children achieve a good balance between studying and family life. The rooms are equipped as follows:
- PC workstation with internet access
- Telephone for internal calls
- Changing mat
- Rest & breastfeeding facilities
- Toys, children's books, colouring utensils
The parent-child room is freely accessible. Users are asked to enter their name (student or student), start and end of use and any comments and notes in the anonymised list on display.
User regulations & contact:
Location of the room in Weihenstephan:
Building An der Pappelallee C4.210 - EG, Weihenstephaner Berg 5
Organisational responsibility for Weihenstephan:
Christiane Setzwein
+49 8161 71-6316Location of the room in Triesdorf:
Building A, A.203 - 2nd floor Lift is available, Steingruberstraße 2
Organisational responsibility for Triesdorf:
Susann Köhler
+49 9826 654-338 -
Freising University Community
The Freising University Community offers regular meetings and information events for students with children.
Here, student parents receive counselling, workshops and information on legal affairs, financial issues and childcare options.
Student parents also organise a "study and play group". One parent at a time looks after the children so that the others can study.
Living with a child on the HSWT campus
As a family-friendly University of applied sciences, we are pleased that many students and staff live with their families on the Weihenstephan and Triesdorf campuses.
We have compiled further information on family-friendly living at the HSWT on the Family-Friendly University of Applied Sciences pages.
