The Maternity Protection Act applies to all breastfeeding and pregnant women in an employment relationship. Since 2018, the Maternity Protection Act has also applied to students and interns. The primary objective of the Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG) is to protect the health of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and their children during pregnancy, after birth and during the first year of breastfeeding as best as possible and to counteract any disadvantages resulting from maternity-related measures.
In addition, the university must ensure that excessive demands in the place of study or internship are avoided.

As a pregnant student at the Berlin University of the Arts, you may request a confidential consultation with the (part-time) Women’s and Equal Opportunities Officer to discuss any questions, concerns or uncertainties in a trusted setting.

Under the Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG), we are obliged to report your pregnancy to the State Office for Occupational Safety, Health Protection and Technical Security (LAGetSi). To do so, the Women’s and Equal Opportunities Officer requires a copy of the page in your maternity record (Mutterpass) showing your estimated due date (ET).

You also have the option to speak to the university’s occupational health physician. They will assess your workplace/study environment with you to identify any potential risks for you or your unborn child.

After reporting your pregnancy, you are fully entitled to maternity protection rights. This includes academic accommodations during your studies and active protection from hazards, e.g. in workshops, in physical education classes (fencing/acrobatics, etc.). Risk assessments must be conducted with your department’s instructors and the occupational health physician. If protection cannot be ensured, alternatives must be found if necessary.

Due to the physical demands of studying performing arts, a risk assessment or an update of the risk assessment is required in each individual case.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, you are entitled to rest periods for yourself and your child. Unfortunately, the University of Arts Berlin cannot provide rest/breastfeeding rooms in all university buildings. Please contact the Women’s and Equal Opportunities Officer if needed. She will arrange an individual solution for your needs.

The statutory maternity protection is determined by the confirmed due date in the maternity record (Mutterpass) and comprises six weeks before delivery and eight weeks after delivery. As the actual date of birth cannot be predicted, the maternity protection period after delivery is adjusted accordingly. If the pregnant woman expressly declares her willingness to study or work during the pre-delivery protection period, this is permitted. This request must be submitted in writing to the Women’s and Equal Opportunities Officer and the relevant department but can be revoked  at any time by the pregnant woman.

You will receive support from instructors and the the Women’s and Equal Opportunities Officer in every decision you make. For students, the protection periods post-delivery are also not binding. Consequently, students may take exams or complete other academic work during the maternity protection period, but must notify their department, the Student Services Office and the Women’s and Equal Opportunities Officer in writing in advance.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women may not work between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM or on Sundays/public holidays. An exception may be granted with explicit written consent and provided that there is no risk to the pregnant woman or the (unborn) child.

Students with children can also submit an informal application for compensatory measures in the event of special family circumstances, such as closure of daycare or school, illness of the child, etc.

You have the right to part-time study during pregnancy and after the birth of your child (Berlin Higher Education Act §22 (3)).
Universities must organise and structure degree programmes in a way that allows part-time study. Part-time study must be granted to all students upon request.
The application for part-time study can be obtained from the Student Services Office. Switching to part-time status does not entitle the student to an increased range of courses offering from the university. The application to study part-time must generally be submitted before the start of the semester. Unless the student has specified a shorter duration in the application or re-registration, part-time study will remain in effect until revoked by the student. A return to full-time study is possible upon request, usually at the start of a new semester. Time spent in part-time study is counted toward the standard period of study in proportion to the workload compared to the regular programme.

What stays the same? What else do I need to bear in mind when studying part-time?

Semester fees, semester contributions: The amount per semester remains unchanged.

Child benefit eligibility: Eligibility for child benefit is not affected. The child’s parents are generally entitled to child benefit until the child reaches the age of 25.

Health insurance contributions: Health insurance contributions (both under family insurance and student insurance) remain unchanged if the reason for applying for part-time study was not primarily work-related. If work hours exceed the amount of study (more than 80 hours per month or more than 50% work commitment per week), student insurance options can no longer be selected.

Work as a student assistant: Part-time study does not prevent you from working as a student assistant.

What changes to my disadvantage?

BAföG eligibility: The Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) only supports full-time study or training. Part-time students are therefore not eligible for BAföG.

What changes to my advantage?

Half semesters: One semester counts as half a “Fachsemester” (but as a full university semester). Since student insurance with health insurance typically ends after 14 “Fachsemesters”, you can extend your eligibility and remain insured as a student for longer. The health insurance premiums do not change and student insurance rates still apply.

Eligibility for Bürgergeld (basic income support): Since only full-time study is generally eligible for BAföG funding, as it assumes the student is not available for the job market, part-time students may be eligible for ALG-II (unemployment benefits) if the other requirements are met.

Eligibility for housing benefit (Wohngeld): Full-time students are generally entitled to BAföG, which excludes housing benefit (except for couples). With part-time study, the basic BAföG eligibility no longer applies, meaning that with a low income, you are generally eligible for housing benefit.

What else should I be aware of?

The compatibility of part-time study with scholarships and student loans must be clarified on an individual basis.

The University of Arts Berlin cooperates with studierendenWERK Berlin. Through studierendenWERK Berlin, you have the opportunity to secure a nursery place for your child. Contact the studierendenWERK team at an early stage to receive direct advice. Registration for a nursery place is done online via the studierendenWERK website. In addition to the 1 August deadline, studierendenWERK’s nursery induction periods also take place at the start of the summer and winter semesters. Drop-off and pick-up times are flexible within the opening hours and are designed to accommodate potential university seminar schedules. As studierendenWERK nurseries are also affected by staff shortages, it is advisable to explore nurseries near your place of residence as well.

KidsMobil is a flexible childcare service for members of UdK Berlin who have children of a childcare-relevant age. As a teacher, staff member or student at the UdK Berlin, you can register for KidsMobil and receive flexible childcare at home in case of childcare emergencies.
KidsMobil is part of the non-profit organisation SOCIUS - Die Bildungspartner gGmbH.

In addition to holiday periods in nursery and school, there are additional closure days due to training or team days for educators or staff shortages in the nursery/school. In these cases, the nursery/school may be either completely closed or only open for a limited period. In addition, with staff shortage, parents are often informed at short notice that childcare cannot be guaranteed or will only be available to a limited extent. In these cases, you may be able to bring your child with you to the university. However, it is very likely that your child will feel more comfortable at the nursery/school or at home. To make the day with your child a little easier, there is a changing table, cot, toys, a sofa, and a workspace available in Room 308 of the UdK building at Einsteinufer 43. The room can also be used as a quiet room or breastfeeding space.

If needed, please contact the Office of the Women’s and Equal Opportunities Officer.

If your child is sick, they need rest and care to recover. In this case, have your pediatrician certify that you cannot come to the university due to your child’s illness. If your child is ill and you cannot attend university, this should not put you at a disadvantage. Speak with your instructor about alternative class arrangements or a make-up date.

As a university, we are affiliated with studierendenWERK Berlin, and its services are available to all members of the university.

In addition, the association Bühnenmütter e.V. supports and connects performing artists with children and advocates for family-friendly structures in theatres and cultural institutions.

Parents of fine arts and design students can network with kunst+kind berlin.