Evangelische Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit & Diakonie
Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Founded
- 1971
- Students
- 700
- International
- 4.4%
- Programmes
- 5
About Evangelische Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit & Diakonie
The Evangelische Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit & Diakonie (EH Hamburg) is a small, state-recognised university of applied sciences in Hamburg, founded in 1971 and operated under the diaconal foundation Das Rauhe Haus. It is funded jointly by the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Northern Germany, the City of Hamburg, and student contributions.
The institution specialises exclusively in Social Work and Diaconia, offering Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts programmes in these fields alongside dual (work-integrated) study pathways and diaconate qualification programmes. With approximately 700 students and 20 full-time professors supported by around 50 visiting lecturers, the university maintains small study groups and emphasises close theory-practice integration.
The university describes itself as a public discourse space for society, diaconia, and the church, integrating Christian-evangelical values, interreligious literacy, and social-scientific methods across all programmes. It participates in Erasmus+ exchanges for outbound study, internships, and staff mobility.
Sole German university of applied sciences specialising entirely in Social Work and Diaconia
Operated by the historic diaconal foundation Das Rauhe Haus, established 1833
Small cohorts (65 B.A. places per year) with 20 full-time and ~50 visiting instructors
Dual (work-integrated) bachelor pathways for both career changers and professionals
Diaconate ordination possible as an additional qualification alongside degree study
Erasmus+ partner for outbound study and internship mobility
Key facts
- Type
- Fachhochschulen / HAW
- Founded
- 1971
- Students
- 700
- International
- 4.4% of students were international in winter semester 2025/26
- Programmes
- 5
Study programmes
5 accredited degrees at Evangelische Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit & Diakonie.
Showing 1–5 of 5 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
No tuition fees are charged. Students pay a semester contribution of €500 per semester plus approximately €200 in administrative fees (which include the Hamburg semester public-transport ticket, hardship fund, and student union contribution). A one-time administrative fee of €150 applies at first enrolment.
Admission requirements
Applicants must hold a German Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (Abitur or equivalent). Vocational training plus relevant work experience, or a master-craftsperson qualification, also confer university access under Hamburg state rules. All applicants must acknowledge the institution's evangelical orientation and willingness to engage with Christian theological and interreligious questions. The B.A. programme admits 65 students per year; admission is decided by a committee. APS certificate is required for applicants whose prior qualification is from India, China, or Vietnam before the student visa can be issued, though the institution itself does not list APS as a separate admissions gate. German language proficiency at a level sufficient for academic study is implicitly required as all instruction is in German.
Application deadlines
Bachelor programmes: 15 March - 15 April annually (winter semester intake only). Master programmes: 1 May - 31 May annually. Incomplete applications are not processed and missing documents are not subsequently requested.
How international applicants apply
Not used. Direct application to the university: complete PDF dossier by e-mail ([email protected]) during the 15 March - 15 April window; an admission committee (Aufnahmeausschuss) reviews the documents. The university is not on uni-assist's official member list, and its Internationales section covers only Erasmus+ exchange and study trips, so treatment of foreign entrance qualifications for degree-seeking applicants is not documented.
Languages of instruction
All programmes are taught in German. No English-taught degree programmes are offered.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Campuses & locations
Main and only campus at Horner Weg 170, 22111 Hamburg
Living in Hamburg
Hamburg is Germany's second-largest city and a major port and media hub on the Elbe river. It offers students a vibrant cultural scene, strong public transport, and a large student community across multiple universities. The EH Hamburg campus is located in the Hamm/Horn district, accessible by public transport from the city centre.
Student life & support
The university's small size fosters a close-knit community with participatory teaching formats and intensive mentoring. Students engage in practice placements integrated throughout the curriculum. The Erasmus+ programme enables outbound study periods and graduate internships abroad. The institution has organised study trips to Israel and Poland as part of its interreligious and diaconic education programme.
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