Volkshochschule der Stadt Osnabrück GmbH

What Volkshochschule der Stadt Osnabrück GmbH does

Volkshochschule der Stadt Osnabrück GmbH (branded vhs|os) is a municipal adult education center organized as a private limited company (GmbH) under German law, headquartered at Bergstraße 8 in Osnabrück, Lower Saxony. The institution operates as the city's primary publicly funded provider of continuing education, serving adult learners in Osnabrück and the surrounding region. It is managed by Geschäftsführer Dr. Tobias Pischel de Ascensão with a small administrative headcount of approximately six employees and a distributed network of freelance course instructors across program areas.

The institution runs eight core program areas: Beruf | Schule | Grundbildung (Career | School | Basic Education), Deutsch als Zweitsprache (German as a Second Language), Gesundheit | Bewegung (Health | Movement), Kunst | Kultur (Art | Culture), Medien | EDV | Digitales (Media | IT | Digital), Politik | Gesellschaft | Umwelt (Politics | Society | Environment), Psychologie | Pädagogik | Kommunikation (Psychology | Pedagogy | Communication), and Sprachen (Languages). Course catalog scale is substantial, with 146 language courses, 51 politics courses, 34 psychology courses, and 29 German-as-a-second-language courses referenced per semester. Sub-offerings within the digital department include Webdesign/Programming (UI/UX with Figma), Design/Layout/3D (Adobe suite, 3D printing), Office Applications, Image Editing, and a new Künstliche Intelligenz (AI) sub-program. Delivery formats span in-person at two Osnabrück locations, online, and hybrid.

Revenue is generated through three streams: per-course fees paid by individual students (typically €5 to €100+ per course, with reduced rates for students, unemployed, and seniors), BAMF-funded integration courses for immigrants/refugees (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees), and recurring municipal/state government subsidies including SEG-Flex funding for refugees. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the vhs-os.de website, in-person registration, social channels (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn), email newsletters, and a quarterly print magazine called mittendrin. The organization holds no disclosed revenue figures, has no parent company or institutional investors, and operates as a standalone public-purpose educational entity.

Name

Volkshochschule der Stadt Osnabrück GmbH

Legal name

Volkshochschule der Stadt Osnabrück GmbH

Website

https://vhs-os.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Volkshochschule der Stadt Osnabrück GmbH is a municipal adult education center in Osnabrück, Germany, offering courses across eight program areas including languages, IT/digital, career training, health, arts, and BAMF-approved integration courses for immigrants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Education Services

NAICS

Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Immigrant & Refugee Community Education (Integration/Navigation) (EDAAAFAH), Language & Communication Continuing Education (EDAAAEAF), Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL)

Keywords

• Adult education courses
• Language learning programs
• Professional development training
• Integration course services
• Continuing education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Osnabrück

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Course Fees: Individual students pay course fees for enrollment in language, professional development, and personal enrichment courses. Fees vary by course type and duration, with discounted rates available for certain populations.
2. BAMF-Funded Integration Courses: German integration courses funded by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), providing language education for immigrants and refugees. These courses follow standardized curricula and certification pathways.
3. Government Subsidies: Municipal funding from the city of Osnabrück as a public education institution. Additional support from state (Landesmittel) programs for specific initiatives like SEG-Flex for refugees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Volkshochschule der Stadt Osnabrück GmbH (vhs|os) is the municipal adult education center of the city of Osnabrück, Germany. It delivers continuing education across eight program areas: languages, German as a second language, media/IT/digital, arts/culture, health/movement, career/school/basic education, psychology/pedagogy/communication, and politics/society/environment. Courses are offered in-person, online, and hybrid formats, with specialized BAMF-approved integration courses for immigrants and refugees.

Product overview

Volkshochschule der Stadt Osnabrück GmbH (vhs|os) is a municipal adult education center offering a comprehensive portfolio of continuing education programs. The institution provides eight major subject areas: Medien | EDV | Digitales (Media | IT | Digital), Sprachen (Languages), Deutsch als Zweitsprache (German as Second Language), Kunst | Kultur (Art | Culture), Gesundheit | Bewegung (Health | Movement), Beruf | Schule | Grundbildung (Career | School | Basic Education), Psychologie | Pädagogik | Kommunikation (Psychology | Pedagogy | Communication), and Politik | Gesellschaft | Umwelt (Politics | Society | Environment). Under the digital media department, specific technology-focused offerings include Webdesign | Programmierung (Web Design | Programming) with UI/UX courses using Figma, Design | Layout | 3D covering Adobe software and 3D printing, and Bildbearbeitung (Image Editing) with Adobe Photoshop. The language division offers courses across multiple world languages, while the integration program provides BAMF-approved German courses for immigrants. The platform functions as a course catalog and registration system accessible via vhs-os.de.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sprachen (Language Courses) Foreign language instruction including English, French, Spanish, Italian, and other world languages at various proficiency levels, delivered to adult learners in Osnabrück.
• Deutsch als Zweitsprache (German as a Second Language) Integration and German language courses for immigrants and refugees, including BAMF-approved integration courses at A1-B1 levels, specialized integration courses, literacy courses, evening courses at A1-C1, and citizenship test (Einbürgerungstest) preparation.
• Medien | EDV | Digitales (Media | IT | Digital) Technology and digital skills courses covering IT fundamentals, software applications (Microsoft Office, Adobe), smartphone/tablet use, web design, programming, image editing, social media, and artificial intelligence for adult learners.
• Kunst | Kultur (Art | Culture) Cultural and artistic courses including literature, creative writing, theater, dance, music, drawing, painting, photography, art history, textile design, and city/country history.
• Gesundheit | Bewegung (Health | Movement) Health and wellness courses including yoga, Qi Gong, Tai Ji Quan, sports, fitness, nutrition, and preventive health courses eligible for health insurance subsidies (Präventionskurse).
• Beruf | Schule | Grundbildung (Career | School | Basic Education) Professional development, career counseling, school completion certificates (Hauptschulabschluss, Realschulabschluss), Xpert Business certifications, IHK exam preparation, bookkeeping, and basic literacy/alphabetic education.
• Psychologie | Pädagogik | Kommunikation (Psychology | Pedagogy | Communication) Psychology, pedagogy, and communication courses including pedagogical training programs, systemic counseling certifications, leadership techniques, rhetoric, and personal development seminars.
• Politik | Gesellschaft | Umwelt (Politics | Society | Environment) Civic education, political discussions, environmental sustainability, and community engagement courses and lectures covering topics such as democracy, climate action, and global affairs.
• Künstliche Intelligenz (Artificial Intelligence Courses) AI and artificial intelligence courses covering various AI topics and applications, delivered under the digital media program area for adult learners.
• Webdesign | Programmierung (Web Design | Programming) Web design and programming courses including UI/UX design with Figma, covering user interface design and interactive prototyping for adult learners.
• Design | Layout | 3D Graphic design and 3D printing courses including Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat, and 3D printing with CAD software and TinkerCAD.
• Office-Anwendungen (Office Applications) Microsoft Office training including Word for professional document creation and Excel for spreadsheet applications at beginner and advanced levels.
• Bildbearbeitung (Image Editing) Image editing courses covering Adobe Photoshop CC for professional photo editing, color correction, and retouching.
• Einbürgerungstest (Citizenship Test) Official citizenship test registration service for individuals pursuing German citizenship, with a registration fee of €25.00 paid in person with ID.
• Raumvermietung (Room Rental) Rental of vhs|os facilities and rooms to external parties, listed under the organization's information section.

Quantifiable outcome

• Language learners can achieve B1 level certification through BAMF-funded integration courses
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Hospizverein Bramsche e.V. and BKK RWEminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 2026Joint 'Letzte Hilfe' (Last Aid) course on end-of-life care and support, recognized as a nursing care course.
• Bündnis gegen Depression in Stadt und Landkreis Osnabrück e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2026Ongoing cooperation on mental health education. Monthly depression discussion forum and events on recovery and mental wellness.
• Mehr Demokratie e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2026Trained moderators for 'Sprechen und Zuhören' (Speaking and Listening) conversation format event on quality of life in Osnabrück.
• AMEOS-KlinikumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 October 2026Cooperation on mental health awareness. Lecture on finding motivation during crisis times.
• Fachstelle Senioren der Stadt OsnabrückminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2026Joint event 'Jeder Mensch braucht andere Menschen' on loneliness in old age, part of OS Erlebniswochen 60+ program.
• Geld und Haushalt, Beratungsdienst der Sparkassen-FinanzgruppeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 2026Joint lecture on inheritance and estate planning, providing financial education to community members.
• VerbraucherzentraleminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 September 2026Joint workshop on heat pumps and alternatives, providing consumer education on home heating and building renovation.
• Stadtwerke OsnabrückminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 September 2026Cooperation on energy transition education. Lecture on dynamic electricity tariffs and how consumers can benefit from renewable energy integration.
• Niedersächsischer Verband deutscher Sinti e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2026Cooperation on the exhibition 'Aus Niedersachsen nach Auschwitz' (September-October 2026) documenting the persecution of Sinti and Roma. Joint exhibition hosting, public guided tours, and educational lectures.
• Osnabrück Klimaneutral, Solarenergieverein Osnabrück e.V., Scientists for Future, Ernährungsrat Osnabrück Stadt und Land e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 August 2026Coalition on climate action hosting municipal climate protection election hearing. Multiple climate-focused events and discussions.
• Gedenkstätten Gestapokeller und AugustaschachtcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 August 2026Cooperation on remembrance culture and historical education. Joint guided tours of the Augustaschacht memorial site focusing on forced labor during Nazi era.
• Forum Eine Welt für Umwelt und EntwicklungcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 August 2026Ongoing cooperation on political education and global affairs programming. Multiple events including lectures on Latin America, South Africa, and international relations. Jointly organized lectures and discussion events on global political topics.
• vhsConceptminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCooperation partner for professional development programs including the systemic counseling certification program.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Volkshochschule Stuttgart: City-level VHS in Stuttgart delivering the standard eight-program-area adult education portfolio, including integration courses, professional certifications, and civic education under comparable municipal funding dynamics.
• Volkshochschule Köln: Major municipal VHS offering the canonical VHS portfolio including integration courses, Xpert Business, and language programs. Operates as a comparable city-mandated adult education provider with multi-channel course delivery.
• Volkshochschule Hamburg: City-level VHS in Hamburg with the standard continuing education mandate, BAMF integration course authorization, and multi-format delivery (in-person, online, hybrid). Closely analogous municipal governance and revenue mix (course fees + public subsidies).
• Volkshochschule Frankfurt am Main: Municipal VHS serving Frankfurt with the same standardized continuing education program structure and BAMF integration course delivery. Comparable in scale, audience (urban professionals, immigrants, lifelong learners), and operating model.
• Volkshochschule München: Largest municipal Volkshochschule in Germany, offering the same eight-program-area continuing education structure (languages, DaZ, professional development, arts, health, politics). Directly comparable as a city-owned GmbH-format adult education institution with BAMF integration authorization.
• Volkshochschule Hannover: Regional VHS operating under the same Lower Saxony state framework as vhs|os, with comparable program areas (languages, DaZ, career, health, arts, politics). Direct administrative peer given shared state-level (Landesmittel) funding structures.
• Volkshochschule Düsseldorf: Municipal VHS in Düsseldorf with parallel continuing education mandate, BAMF integration authorization, and multi-format (in-person/online/hybrid) delivery. Operates under identical German VHS regulatory framework.
• Volkshochschule Berlin (VHS Mitte / VHS Stadtteil): Municipal VHS network in Berlin providing the identical portfolio of public adult education including BAMF integration courses, Xpert Business certifications, and arts/health/civic programming. Operates as a comparable municipal public education institution under the same national VHS framework.

Others

• vhs.cloud (Deutsche Volkshochschul-Verband): Shared digital learning platform operated by the German Adult Education Association (DVV) used by VHS institutions nationwide for online course delivery. Relevant as the underlying technology layer for vhs|os's hybrid courses and as an ecosystem/infrastructure peer.

Regional players

• Volkshochschule Bremen: Northern German VHS serving Bremen and Bremerhaven under the same federal VHS framework; comparable in governance (municipal GmbH) and program mix but operating in a different city catchment than vhs|os.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/vhsos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/volkshochschule-der-stadt-osnab-ck-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/vhs_os/?hl=de

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Volkshochschule der Stadt Osnabrück GmbH