Studying with a Child

According to a 2008 study by the German National Association for Student Affairs (Deutsches Studentenwerk), 7% of students in Germany at the time were studying while raising children—more than 3,000 of them in Münster alone. However, only 60% of those surveyed considered studying with a child to be generally manageable. Since then, numerous support services have been introduced to help students balance their studies, work, and childcare responsibilities and to reduce their overall burden.

As childcare is no longer solely considered a women's issue, many of these services are designed to support both male and female students equally.

The following section provides young parents with an overview of the various ways to combine academic studies and parenthood with minimal strain—ensuring equal opportunities compared to their fellow students without children.

An excellent overview of resources and support for students with children can be found on the central Gender Equality Office’s website: "Studying with a Child" at the University of Münster. It includes a brochure on the topic, as well as information about various support programs and counseling services for student parents, such as the  Studi-Kidz-Café and the Madame Courage donation-based support project.