Leave of absence

Leave of absence

If, as a student, you wish to apply for a leave of absence, there are three different types of leave available. A student can apply for leave multiple times during their study period.

  1. Right to leave of absence (maternity/paternity leave, adoption and military service)
  2. Leave of absence for special reasons (e.g., personal illness or illness of a close relative)
  3. Leave of absence without reason

Right to leave of absence (maternity/paternity leave, adoption, and military service)
Students have the right to be granted leave from their studies for up to one continuous year per leave period, provided they submit the necessary documentation showing they are taking maternity leave, have adopted a child, or are required to perform military service.

More information about options for students who become parents during their studies can be found on DTU Inside under "Study Rules"/"Leave of absence".

Leave of absence due to special reasons (e.g., personal illness or illness of a close relative)

  • Personal, long-term illness, including mental illness
    Documentation could be a medical certificate or other medical statement indicating that the student cannot study due to illness. The documentation must specify when the student is or is expected to be ill.
  • Illness of a close relative
    That could involve caring for or supporting a close relative who is disabled, seriously ill, or dying. Close relatives are typically parents, grandparents, children, and spouses/partners. Other individuals may also be considered close relatives if the student explains why they should be considered close relatives and provides medical documentation proving the person is seriously ill.
  • Elite athletes
    Learn more about being a student and an elite athlete on DTU Inside under "Academic Offers and Guidance" / "Elite Sports".
  • Other special circumstances
    Other circumstances that prevent the student from actively studying. These circumstances must not be self-imposed, and the special circumstances must be documented.

Deadlines related to the program, including the first-year exam and the maximum study time, are extended by the leave period, calculated in whole semesters.

Extension of leave beyond one year
If the student wishes to extend an ongoing leave period beyond one year with the same reason, the student must apply for an exemption to extend the leave period via www.dispensation.dtu.dk. Extensions of leave can only be granted with a special justification. Read more about submitting an exemption application on DTU Inside under 'Study Rules'/'Leave of absence'.

Leave of absence without reason
Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Engineering students can apply for leave of absence without providing a reason once they have completed at least 60 ECTS credits. For Bacheor of Engineering programmes, these 60 ECTS credits must constitute the first year of study as per the curriculum. For Bachelor of Science in Engineering students, the 60 ECTS credits must be earned from mandatory courses (elective courses do not count).

Master’s students can apply for leave once they have completed 30 ECTS credits from mandatory courses (elective courses do not count).

Leave can be granted for up to one semester. The leave period cannot be extended.

Leave during the final project
When applying for a leave of absence during the final project, the application must be accompanied by a statement from the project supervisor. It is the supervisor who, based on an academic assessment, determines whether the project deadline can be postponed corresponding to the leave period. If the supervisor cannot support a longer-term postponement of the project, that means the project cannot be extended during the leave period, and the student has used an exam attempt unless the student can provide documentation of illness, in which case the student receives the registration 'SYG' (ill). Read more about this registration at DTU Inside under 'Study rules'/'Exam'/'Assessment forms and grading'. 

The relevant curriculum describes what opportunities the student has to apply for an extension of the submission deadline for the final project, e.g., in case of illness. See DTU Inside under 'Study rules'/'Final projects'.

Application for leave of absence
The student must send their leave application along with documentation to the Office for Study Programmes and Student Affairs at studadm@adm.dtu.dk from their student email. The application form can be found on DTU Inside under "Study Rules"/"Leave of absence".

The application must be submitted no later than three weeks into the leave period the student is applying for. A leave period may fall in the middle of a semester. Leave of absence cannot be granted retroactively beyond three weeks.

Consequences of the three types of leave of absence
All study activities must stop during the period of leave. That includes participation in courses and the submission of assignments/projects. Students will not receive monthly grants (SU) during their leave of absence. Questions on SU must be addressed to the SU team in the Office for Study Programmes and Student Affairs. Find contact information at DTU Inside under 'Academic offers and guidance'/'Guidance options'/'SU Office.

Students should also be aware that there may be special rules for study activity requirements for study accommodation/dormitories. Questions about this must be directed to the housing association/dormitory company in question.

Students may only exercise their voting rights and retain their eligibility during a leave of absence period exceeding six months if the leave expires at the beginning of the term of office at the latest.

During the period of leave, students must stay updated on study announcements posted by DTU.

Termination of leave prematurely
Students who want to return to their studies before the end of their leave of absence must write to the Study Information at studadm@adm.dtu.dk from their student mail. 

Deadlines that have been postponed (first-year exam and maximum duration of study time) are not adjusted unless the student terminates the leave early by a full semester. In that case, the postponement of deadlines will be revised accordingly.

Students who are in conflict with DTU's rules of study
If the student submitted an exemption application due to conflict with DTU's rules of study before their leave, the student may withdraw the application if a final exemption decision has not been made yet. Once an exemption decision has been made, this decision will be binding and cannot be annulled.

Special rules for non-EU-EEA students with a residence permit in Denmark
A student who is a non-EU/EEA citizen waiver student and has a Danish student residence permit should be aware that his/her student residence permit may be revoked by the Danish immigration authorities (SIRI), even if DTU grants a leave of absence. According to the law, DTU must inform SIRI when this group of students get a leave of absence from the university. Revocation of the student's residence permit by SIRI means that the student has to leave Denmark immediately. When the students are ready to resume their studies, they must apply for a new Danish student residence permit from their home country.

Bachelor of Science in Engineering students can get more information on this by writing to optagelse@adm.dtu.dk. Master students can get more information by writing to mscadmissions@adm.dtu.dk