Alternatives to dropping out of university include changing course, taking a break, starting an apprenticeship or doing a dual study. Financially, the loan portion of your BAföG must be repaid even after you drop out, but it is capped at €10,010. Do not decide in frustration. Get advice first.
The key points at a glance
- Dropping out is only one of several options. Changing course, taking a break, an apprenticeship and a dual study are real alternatives.
- The loan portion of BAföG remains after dropping out. Repayment is capped at €10,010 and begins five years after the end of the maximum funding period.
- Before you deregister, contact the BAföG office, the student advisory service and your health insurer.
- Your CV can cope with a break in your studies if you explain the time clearly.
Which alternatives to dropping out are there?
The options differ in how much of your current studies you take with you and how quickly you can start something new. The table gives an overview.
| Alternative | Suits you if | What you should clarify |
|---|---|---|
| Change of subject | You dislike the subject, not studying as such | BAföG deadlines, recognition, application deadlines |
| Change of university | The subject fits, but the university or environment does not | Admission, recognition of credits |
| Take a break | You need time to get your bearings or are under strain | Your university’s rules, effects on BAföG and insurance |
| Apprenticeship | You want to work in practice and earn early | Application deadlines of companies, pay as set out in the contract |
| Dual study | You want to combine study and practice | Application to the company, double workload |
| Direct entry into work | You have a clear career goal | Further training, lateral entry, CV |
When is a change of course better than dropping out?
A change is better if you want to keep studying and only the subject or the university does not fit. Depending on how many credits are recognised, you do not have to start from scratch. When a change of subject makes sense and which BAföG deadlines apply is explained in a separate article (in German). Whether a university or a university of applied sciences suits you better is covered in this guide (in German).
For BAföG, timing matters. Until the start of your 4th semester, a first change of subject is presumed to have an important reason. After that, you need a justification. Your BAföG office will confirm which rule applies to you.
Can you take a break from your studies?
Many universities allow you to take a leave of absence. Which reasons count, how long a break may last and by when you must apply is set out in your university’s study regulations. Ask the student office before you deregister.
Before a break, clarify how it affects your BAföG and health insurance. If you are thinking about time out, discuss your options with the student advisory service.
Apprenticeship after dropping out: how does the switch work?
For an apprenticeship you apply directly to the training company, like any other applicant. You can present your studies as experience. In your cover letter, briefly explain why you switched and what you took from your studies. Before you deregister, get an overview of your achievements so you have proof.
If you want to combine practice and academic content, a dual study programme is a bridge. How it is structured is explained in Dual study: advantages, disadvantages and requirements (in German).
If you are unemployed or at risk of unemployment after dropping out, the Employment Agency can advise you on subsidised further training. After an advice interview it issues a training voucher and checks whether the course is approved. Information is available from the Federal Employment Agency.
What does dropping out mean for your finances?
The most important financial effect concerns BAföG. The loan portion remains, even if you do not graduate. You repay at most €10,010, which corresponds to 77 monthly instalments of €130. Repayment begins five years after the end of the maximum funding period. The notice is sent by the Federal Administrative Office about four and a half years after the end of the standard period of study.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Maximum amount | €10,010 of the loan portion |
| Instalment | €130 monthly or €390 quarterly |
| Start | Five years after the end of the maximum funding period |
| Exemption | On application, if assessable income is below €1,690 per month; the amount rises with a spouse and children |
| Waiver | Remaining debt after 20 years, if you can show genuine effort and have met your duties to cooperate |
Voluntary early repayment is also possible and can bring a reduction. The Federal Administrative Office states the exact amount in the notice. Details are in the FAQ of the Studierendenwerke on BAföG and at the Federal Administrative Office.
Your insurance cover often changes too. What applies after deregistration is explained in Health insurance when dropping out (in German). Contact your health insurer before you deregister.
Where can you get advice about dropping out?
Your first point of contact is your university’s student advisory service. It knows about changes of course, leave of absence and recognition. For BAföG and repayment, your BAföG office advises you. For training and further education, the Employment Agency does. If you are under heavy strain, the psychological counselling service of your university or a doctor can help.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to repay BAföG if I drop out?
Yes, the loan portion remains. You repay at most €10,010, in instalments of €130 per month. Repayment starts five years after the end of the maximum funding period. If your income is low, you can be exempted, and after 20 years the remaining debt can be waived.
Can I do an apprenticeship after dropping out?
Yes. You apply to the training company like any other applicant. You can present your studies as experience in your CV.
How do I present dropping out in my CV?
List the course, the university and the period. In your cover letter or interview, briefly explain why you reoriented yourself. Emphasise what you learned and why your new path suits you.
Am I still insured after dropping out?
That depends on age, income and status. Deregistration usually changes your insurance status. Health insurance when dropping out (in German) explains how cover continues. Speak to your health insurer before you deregister.
So what should you do now
- Write down why you want to drop out and check whether a change of course or a break solves the problem.
- Arrange a meeting with the student advisory service of your university.
- Ask the BAföG office how dropping out, changing course or a break affects your funding and repayment.
- Contact your health insurer before you deregister. If you want to talk through your situation, you will find the way to advice on the Academycon homepage.
- Apply for an apprenticeship, a dual study or a new course only once you know the deadlines and recognition rules.
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Related reading
- Changing course: when it makes sense and how it works (in German)
- Health insurance when dropping out: staying covered (in German)
- Sustainable degree programmes: overview, content and prospects (in German)
- Doctorate in Germany: routes, titles and requirements (in German)
- Law: insurance from study to traineeship (in German)
- Deregistration checklist: what ends after graduation and what to do (in German)
- Leave of absence: glossary entry (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This article provides general information and does not replace individual advice.
