Family-friendly university

© Christel Wismans / pixelio.de (Source)

During each semester, parents who are students and university/college employees with children face the challenge of coordinating their times with the needs of their children's daily routine. Lecture times outside the opening hours of childcare facilities or on weekends, involvement in research projects, internships or examinations and all they involve: all of these impose burdens when it comes to time management. The structure of Bachelor's and Master's courses limits the flexibility of schedules.

Universities, colleges and the city can help

The Student Union can provide extensive advice on all aspects of balancing the demands of courses and family commitments; if required, it can refer applicants to specialist services in the city, for example the family services bureau. The universities and colleges in Hannover and the state capital of Hannover offer a large number of support services for students with children:

• A free daily meal for students' children with the Kids Card for the university refectory
• Childcare at close proximity to various university and college sites
• Emergency childcare
• Childcare during all vacation periods
• Arrangements for part-time study on various courses
• Coaching and advice on work/life balance
• Postgraduate support for family reasons
• Advice services for fathers
• Family portals on the universities' and colleges' websites
• Online childcare market operated by the state capital of Hannover

Parents taking a doctorate

Professional success and a fulfilled family life – these do not have to be mutually exclusive. An academic career can also be combined with the urge to start a family. This represents a particular challenge for doctorate students. After all, scientific qualification, future career orientation and planning a family all occur precisely at the same time of life as completing a doctorate. As a result, the universities and colleges provide support for up-and-coming scientists:

• Emergency childcare available on 360 days
• Childcare for children aged 1 or more
• Childcare during vacations
• Postgraduate support for family reasons
• Advice available to mothers and fathers
• Coaching and advice for single parents and couples with children regarding work/life balance
• Seminars on career planning and planning a family

Detailed information in German is available on the websites of the universities' and colleges' equal opportunities officers:

• Leibniz University of Hannover
• Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts
• Hannover Medical School
• Hannover University of Music, Drama and Media
• University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover