Hochschule für Künste im Sozialen, Ottersberg

About Hochschule für Künste im Sozialen, Ottersberg

Hochschule für Künste im Sozialen (HKS) Ottersberg is a state-recognised private university of applied sciences and art located in Ottersberg, Lower Saxony. Founded in 1967 as Freie Kunst-Studienstätte and granted state recognition in 1984, it is regarded as one of the largest training centres for art therapists in Europe.

The university's mission positions it at the intersection of art, health, and society. It offers an interdisciplinary bachelor's programme — Künste im Sozialen (B.A./B.F.A.) — with five specialisations: Free Fine Art, Art Therapy, Creative Writing as Social Practice, Social Work, and Performative Arts (Dance and Theatre Pedagogy). At master's level, the Arts and Community (M.A./M.F.A.) programme focuses on independent research projects examining socially relevant questions from both artistic and scholarly perspectives.

HKS is organised as a non-profit GmbH and maintains a satellite site in Hamburg (levelone) in addition to its main Ottersberg campus. It houses an Institute for Artistic Therapies and Research and delivers inclusive study pathways in partnership with EUCREA's ARTplus programme.

Key facts

Founded: 1967

One of Europe's largest training centres for art therapists

Unique bachelor's combining fine art, art therapy, social work, creative writing, and performative arts in one programme

State-recognised private university with non-profit status

Research-focused master's (Arts and Community M.A./M.F.A.) with full-time and part-time tracks

Inclusive study pathway (ARTplus) in partnership with EUCREA

Satellite campus in Hamburg (levelone) alongside the main rural Ottersberg site

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

HKS is a private institution and charges tuition fees. For the bachelor's programme (Künste im Sozialen): one-time admission fee €95, enrollment fee €180, student union fee (AStA) €52; monthly tuition €425 (dual-study track €620) plus a semester ticket of €34.80/month. For the master's programme (Arts and Community): monthly full-time tuition €458, part-time €229; same one-time fees apply (€95 admission with 50% discount for HKS graduates). Fees are collected per semester and may be paid in monthly instalments. No separate non-EU surcharge is listed; all students pay the same rate.

Admission requirements

Applicants must hold a German Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (Abitur) or an equivalent foreign qualification. Applicants without a standard entry qualification may demonstrate exceptional artistic ability (überragende künstlerische Befähigung) via a special examination. The bachelor's admission process includes an online application (CV + qualification certificate + optional materials) and an on-site Explore & Create Day combining workshops, idea development, and a formal admission interview. For language requirements: Art Therapy, Theatre Pedagogy, and the master's require DSH-2 / TestDaF TDN 4 / telc C1 / Goethe C1; Fine Arts requires DSH-1 / TestDaF TDN 3 / Goethe B1. Applicants from mainland China must submit an APS certificate (Akademische Prüfstelle Beijing) where possible. Indian and Vietnamese APS requirements are not explicitly stated on the institution's site; students from those countries should verify with the international office. International applicants must submit certified copies of all qualifications plus a handwritten CV and two passport photos.

Application deadlines

Bachelor (WS 2026/27): applications ongoing; Explore & Create Day scheduled 18 June 2026. Master (WS 2026/27): application deadline 20 June 2026; admission exams 6–7 July 2026 (non-refundable €95 exam fee).

Languages of instruction

Primarily German. English-language information is published on the university website; the site is also available in Chinese. All degree programmes are taught in German.

Campuses & locations

Ottersberg (main campus)

Große Straße 107, 28870 Ottersberg, Lower Saxony — main teaching and studio facilities

Hamburg levelone

Satellite campus in Hamburg

Living in the city

Ottersberg is a small town in the district of Verden, Lower Saxony, approximately 25 km south-east of Bremen. The surrounding Wümme river landscape offers a quiet, rural setting that has historically attracted artists and cultural projects. Bremen, a major city with museums, a university, and strong cultural life, is easily reachable by regional train.

Student life & support

The campus in Ottersberg provides art studios and a library. The inclusive ARTplus programme integrates students with and without disabilities in shared artistic practice. A satellite site in Hamburg (levelone) extends the university's urban presence. The HKS+ programme offers continuing education and auditor (Gasthörer) courses open to the wider public. Student advising for international students is provided by a dedicated international office contact (Sharif Bitar) on a regular schedule.

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus

Master