Universität Vechta history

1861 – Further development to Lehrerseminar

The training of Catholic teachers was continuously strengthened and the Lehrerseminar was provided with its first own building in 1864.

From 1881, female teachers were trained in the newly established Lehrerinnenseminar (teacher training seminar) of the Order of the Sisters of Notre Dame.

1928 – Opening of the Pädagogische Lehrgang

Due to a shortage of money and a strong surplus of teachers, the Free State of Oldenburg closed its pedagogical courses of studies in Oldenburg and Vechta in 1933.

1941 – Oldenburgische Lehrerbildungsanstalt Vechta (Oldenburg teacher training institution in Vechta)

The two-year course of studies, which first started in autumn 1946, included education studies, teaching theory and practice of the individual subjects, in-depth study of the subjects, practical/musical training and elective courses.

In 1961, the Pädagogische Hochschule obtained a new modern building on Driverstraße (photo) and further buildings followed.

Referat gehalten auf der religiös-wissenschaftlichen Tagung des OKV am 10.3.1962 in Cloppenburg. [Vechta] 1962

The Niedersachsenkonkordat (Lower Saxony concordat) of 1965, concluded between the Catholic Church and the state of Lower Saxony, guaranteed the training of Catholic teachers in Vechta.

The Pädagogische Hochschule kept growing and already had 600 students in the winter semester of 1968/69.

In 1973, the Pädagogische Hochschule Vechta was incorporated into the newly founded Osnabrück University as an off-site campus.

Doctor Oswald Rohling OP (19o8 - 1974) - Ein Dominikaner als Hochschullehrer in Vechta in: Jahrbuch für das Oldenburger Münsterland 64.

In 1980, the off-site campus in Vechta had over 1,000 students.

The campus was considerably expanded in 1983.

The hiring freeze for teachers that began in 1985 resulted in declining student numbers (to about 730). The off-site campus in Vechta was threatened with closure.

In 1990, the newly elected state government announced its intention to close the off-site campus in Vechta.

1995 – Hochschule Vechta

In 2000, around 1,900 students were studying at Hochschule Vechta.

Starting from 2003, the Bologna reform was being implemented in this way.

In 2005, the Hochschule Vechta already had 3,141 students.

With the amendment of the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act, the Hochschule Vechta was officially renamed to Universität Vechta (University of Vechta) in June 2010.

In 2011, the Centre for Regional Learning was founded, and one year later, the School of Education was established.

In 2019, the Graduate Centre was established and the dining hall was expanded.