Leave, absences and parenthood
UNIL offers you the possibility of requesting a leave of absence or interrupting your studies for specific reasons. This page provides information on the conditions under which this type of arrangement can be applied to your studies.
Leave
It is possible to request a period of leave of one or two semesters from the University. Leave may be granted on the grounds of pregnancy and maternity or for duly attested medical reasons (see Regulations implementing the University of Lausanne Act (LUL), art. 94 let. f).
Students who are on leave remain registered with the University and pay a reduced semester fee.
Requesting or extending your leave
Leave is renewable. The total number of semesters of leave may not exceed three semesters for a Bachelor's and two semesters for a Master's or Master of Advanced Studies programme, except in the case of a dispensation granted by the University of Lausanne Rectorate on legitimate grounds (see Directive 3.2. of the University of Lausanne Rectorate Fees and Deadlines, art.3, para.3).
Interruption of studies
If you wish to interrupt your studies at UNIL due to maternity or paternity, you may withdraw from the programme. However, you will then lose your student status and will have to go through the admission procedure again if you wish to re-enrol.
You may then be subject to a new set of study regulations or a study plan that came into effect during your absence. Deregistration also has implications for your entitlement to study grants and other financial assistance, as well as for any renewal of your residence permit.