You're considering dropping out of your IU studies, and the first question is usually the same: What will it cost me now? Then there are uncertainties about notice periods, the correct procedure, and what happens to BAföG if you withdraw.
The good news first: withdrawing from IU is administratively straightforward, and you often have more options than you think – from pausing to extending your study period. This article will explain the costs, termination, and alternatives in order.
Key takeaways
- Notice period usually 4 weeks to the end of the month – details are in your study contract
- Fees already paid in advance for future months are generally refunded
- Termination must be in writing; phone calls are not sufficient
- Instead of completely withdrawing, you can often pause or extend your studies
- For dual studies, termination affects two contracts – IU and practical partner
- You must inform the BAföG office immediately after withdrawal
Dropping out of IU studies - what are the costs?
How much your withdrawal costs depends mainly on your payment model. IU offers several options, and depending on what you chose, the financial processing also differs.
For a monthly fee of around €350-400 and a termination in the middle of the month, you usually pay for the current month plus the following month until the notice period has expired. After that, no further costs are incurred.
What exactly is refunded and what is not - such as examination registrations already used or the one-time matriculation fee - is regulated by your individual study contract. Carefully review the refund clauses before you terminate, or ask the student secretariat directly. An overview of the ongoing fees can also be found in our article on IU tuition fees.
How do I terminate my IU studies?
Whether you want to terminate your IU distance learning studies or withdraw from an on-campus format, the process is essentially the same: the termination must be in writing. An informal message in the student portal or a phone call is not sufficient.
In writing by email or by post to the IU student secretariat. Make sure all information is complete and keep a confirmation.
Your termination must include your full name, your matriculation number, an unambiguous statement ("I hereby terminate my study contract"), and the desired end date of the contract or the note "at the earliest possible date". The exact notice period and the exact address for written termination can be found in your study contract or on iu.de.
Upon receipt, IU will confirm the termination in writing and state the specific end date of the contract. You will usually receive a certificate of exmatriculation after the official end of your studies.
Before you terminate
Sometimes a plan B is enough to pass the next exam - before making the final decision
Learn morePausing IU studies instead of dropping out
Before you give up your studies entirely, it's worth looking at the alternative: pausing your IU studies. Due to job stress, health reasons, or a difficult family situation, you can usually apply for a leave of absence semester without losing your enrollment.
You remain enrolled, but gain time and distance. How long a break is possible and how this affects installments and deadlines depends on your study contract and your time model. It is best to clarify the conditions in writing with the study advisory service before submitting the application.
A semester of leave is often a cheaper and less final solution than a complete withdrawal - you retain your study place and previous achievements. You can find the exact rules in your study contract or on iu.de.
Extending IU studies instead of dropping out
Sometimes the problem isn't the study itself, but the pace. IU offers various time models, and it's often possible to extend the study duration or switch to a slower model, for example, from full-time to part-time. This reduces the monthly burden and gives you more breathing room without having to give up everything.
An extension affects total costs and monthly installments, so you should calculate both options - extension and withdrawal - against each other. You can find out the specific options, deadlines, and conditions for a model change most reliably directly from your academic advisor or on iu.de.
Terminating IU dual studies - Special features
Dual studies at IU add an additional layer. You have two separate contracts: the study contract with IU and an employment contract with your practical partner. For a clean termination, both usually need to be canceled - and they are often contractually linked.
Many practical partners require repayment of tuition fees if you terminate early. Carefully check your employment contract for such clauses before taking any steps - the sums can be considerable.
The notice period for the IU study contract usually corresponds to the regular period, while the notice period for the employment contract can differ significantly and is often much longer. Coordinate both terminations in terms of timing to avoid paying twice. You can read more about the special features in our article on terminating dual studies.
BAföG after withdrawal
If you receive IU BAföG, your entitlement ends with your withdrawal from studies. It is important that you inform the BAföG office immediately and in writing - otherwise, you risk later repayment claims or even criminal consequences.
BAföG already disbursed does not have to be repaid prematurely due to withdrawal itself - it remains the interest-free state loan, as originally agreed. However, further payments will be stopped from the date of withdrawal.
We explain in detail how a change of course or a later re-enrollment affects your BAföG entitlement in our article on BAföG after dropping out of studies.
Not quite sure yet?
Perhaps there's a path you haven't discovered yet - discreet and effective
Learn moreContinuing studies elsewhere after IU withdrawal
Withdrawing from IU does not have to mean the end of your studies. Modules you have already passed can often be credited at another university, and IU is NC-free, whereas public universities often have their own admission requirements. When changing, pay attention to the usual application deadlines of the target university.
Many switch from IU to a public on-campus university because the distance learning format doesn't suit them - this is a perfectly legitimate decision. If you are generally unsure whether withdrawing or exmatriculation is the right path, it's worth looking at our article on reasons, consequences, and re-entry after exmatriculation.
- Notice period usually 4 weeks to the end of the month - the exact period is in your contract
- Fees already paid in advance for future months are generally refunded
- Termination only in writing by email or post, with name, matriculation number, and contract end date
- Pausing or extending are often cheaper alternatives to complete withdrawal
- For dual studies, be sure to check repayment clauses in the employment contract
- Inform the BAföG office immediately, otherwise, repayment claims threaten
Wanting to drop out of IU studies is not a decision you have to rush. First, check if pausing or extending is an option for you before you finally terminate - and if you decide to withdraw, the administrative process at IU is comparatively straightforward. You can find more background on study withdrawals in general in our guide to dropping out of studies.
"Dropping out of studies is not a failure, but often the first step in the right direction."
