The length of your parental leave depends on whether you are giving birth or you are a partner to the person giving birth
Parental leave as a mother giving birth
If you are the mother, you are entitled to maternal leave for two semesters starting from the semester in which the birth takes place or starting from the immediately following semester.
Please note the duration of your parental leave is not affected by whether you choose to apply for parental leave dispensations or leave of absence due to maternity or paternity leave.
Paternity leave as a partner to a mother giving birth
If you are the partner to the person giving birth, you have the right to parental leave for one semester; either in the semester in which the birth takes place or the following semester. If both parents are students, the partner’s leave needs to be placed within the same period as the mother’s parental leave period. As a partner, you cannot place your leave in extension of the mother’s leave.
Please note. The length of your parental leave is unaffected by whether you choose to apply for parental leave exemption or leave of absence due to maternity or paternity leave.
A period for parental leave cannot be changed when it has been granted
Once you have been granted the period for your parental leave, it cannot be changed.
Example of a maternity leave period for a woman giving birth
You are expected to give birth on 04 June 2018 (this means spring semester 2018). Therefore, you can either
- Apply for maternity leave starting in spring semester 2018 and the subsequent semester, fall 2018.
- Alternatively, you can apply for maternity leave starting in autumn semester 2018 and the subsequent semester, spring 2019.
Do you need support?
Contact Educational Law & Registration if you have any questions regarding the above mentioned rules. You can do this either via spoc.sdu.dk or by calling at 65501059 (between 10 a.m. and 12 a.m.).
Contact Student Services if you have questions about SU, Admission, SDU international, Syddansk Elite, SPS and other services at SDU.
Contact the counselling at your studies if you need specific knowledge related to your study eg. knowledge about your study plan or how to write a dispensation application.
Contact the General Study counselling if you need guidance concerning general study topics such as study techniques, well-being or simply just find it hard to know who to go to with your questions.