Hochschule für Künste im Sozialen, Ottersberg
Ottersberg, Niedersachsen, Germany
- Founded
- 1967
- Students
- 274
- International
- 6%
- Programmes
- 2
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.
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
Key facts
- Type
- Fachhochschulen / HAW
- Founded
- 1967
- Students
- 274
- International
- ~6% international students according to the university's own statement (students from about twenty nations make up six percent of the student body); Destatis recorded no international students for its 292 students in summer semester 2023.
- Programmes
- 2
Study programmes
2 accredited degrees at Hochschule für Künste im Sozialen, Ottersberg.
Showing 1–1 of 1 matching programme
Clear filtersAdmissions & fees
What it costs
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).
How international applicants apply
No uni-assist: applicants submit a written application directly to the HKS (CV, certified copies of foreign certificates, photos, recognised language certificates) and the university itself checks whether the requirements for German higher education access are met. Language evidence accepted includes DSH 2 / TestDaF 4 / DSD II / telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule / Goethe-Zertifikat C1 for most programmes, and DSH 1 / TestDaF 3 / Goethe B1 for Freie Bildende Kunst; applicants from the PRC should add an APS certificate. Contact for international applicants: International Office (Sharif Bitar, [email protected]).
Languages of instruction
German is the teaching language; recognised proof is DSH 2, TestDaF 4, DSD II, Feststellungspruefung German part, telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule or Goethe-Zertifikat C1 (DSH 1/TestDaF 3/Goethe B1 for Freie Bildende Kunst).
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Student accommodation
What Hochschule für Künste im Sozialen, Ottersberg publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
The university's housing page
Deadlines and application forms are published here, and they change every intake.
Open housing pageCampuses & locations
Große Straße 107, 28870 Ottersberg, Lower Saxony - main teaching and studio facilities
Satellite campus in Hamburg
Living in Ottersberg
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.
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