FAQ

A folk high school is a school without grades or exams. You choose a main course and elective subjects based on your interests, and learn through classes, activities, trips and being part of a community with other students.

Many students attend a folk high school for a year after upper secondary school, but some are older or have done other things before they start.

At a folk high school, you take a main course focused on something you are interested in. It can be anything from outdoor activities and sports to music, art, travel, gaming or sustainability. Teaching is generally more practical than at other schools.

In addition to your main course, you take part in subjects and activities shared by the whole school, elective subjects, trips and events. Because you live at the school, life outside the classroom is also an important part of the experience.

Folk high school is a school year, but it is different from what many people associate with school. You attend classes and follow a programme throughout the year, but without grades or exams. Folk high school focuses on the joy of learning.

Many choose folk high school as a gap year between upper secondary school and higher education or work because it gives them the opportunity to develop their interests, try new things and take time to figure out what they want to do next.

You develop your skills in the main course and electives you choose. You can build on something you are already good at or choose something completely new and learn it from scratch. Many students also highlight new friendships, memorable experiences and greater confidence in themselves and their choices.

You also gain experience and knowledge through teaching, travel, projects and activities. In some subjects, you may finish the year with practical work or a portfolio that can help you if you want to continue in the field you studied at folk high school. Some courses also give you the opportunity to earn certifications, such as a diving certificate, a climbing certification or the Norwegian hunting proficiency test.

You receive a diploma showing the subjects you have taken and what you have learned. As many employers value the experience you gain at folk high school, it is a good idea to include the year on your CV.

Many use the year to become more confident about what they want to study, while others already know what they want and use the year to prepare themselves before starting higher education. Research shows that students who have attended a folk high school before higher education have higher completion rates.

It is common to attend folk high school after upper secondary school. Most students are between 18 and 25 years old. Some schools admit students under the age of 18, and there is no upper age limit.

Four schools have a minimum age of 16. Read more on each school’s page.

No. You do not have to have completed upper secondary school to be admitted to a folk high school.

Yes. There is no upper age limit for attending folk high school.

Most students are between 18 and 25, but older students attend folk high schools every year too. Some want to explore new interests, while others are looking for a break or a new direction in life.

Yes. Many choose folk high school precisely because they are unsure what they want to study or work with later.

A year at a folk high school gives you the chance to explore your interests, try new activities and get to know yourself better before making your next choice.

You may be eligible for financial support from Lånekassen to attend folk high school.

60 per cent of the support is a loan, while 40 per cent is initially a loan that may be converted into a grant once your year at folk high school has been approved.

To have part of the loan converted into a grant, your undocumented absence must not exceed 10 per cent.

Read more about loans and grants for folk high school here

The cost varies from course to course.

What you pay for at folk high school includes meals, accommodation at the school, study trips and equipment for your course. Some courses have additional costs, for example for travel, equipment or special activities.

You do not pay the full amount at once. Typically, you pay monthly, around the time you receive your support from Lånekassen.

You can find up-to-date information about prices and what is included on each course page at folkehogskole.no.

You apply directly to the school or course you want to attend. On folkehogskole.no, each course page has an application button that takes you to the application form.

There is no application deadline, and schools accept applications on a rolling basis. Admissions start on 15 November, and schools continue to admit students until the school year begins or the course is full. Some courses fill up quickly, so applying early gives you a better chance of securing a place.

Folk high schools open for applications on 15 October for the following school year. Admissions start on 15 November and continue until the school year begins or the course is full.

Many courses fill up during the winter and spring, so it can be a good idea to apply early if you have a particular school or course in mind.

No. Folk high schools do not have a fixed application deadline. Applications are processed continuously, and schools admit students as long as places are available.

Folk high schools open for applications on 15 October for the following school year. Admissions start on 15 November and continue until the school year begins or the course is full.

Yes. You can apply to as many schools and courses as you like.

It can be a good idea to have several options if you are unsure what you want, or if you are applying to a popular course with a limited number of places.

It depends on when you apply. You will not receive an admissions decision before admissions begin on 15 November, but you will always receive confirmation that your application has been received.

After 15 November, most schools will respond fairly quickly, although processing times vary from school to school.

If the course is full, you can often join a waiting list. It may also be worth checking whether the school has similar courses with places available or applying to other schools.

Whether you can change courses depends on whether there are places available on the course you want to switch to. Contact the school as early as possible if you want to make changes to your application.

Yes. If you no longer want the place, you must let the school know as soon as possible. The administration fee will not be refunded.

Yes, but it is important to talk to your school as early as possible if you are considering leaving.

Folk high schools have different payment rules if you leave during the school year. The school may require payment for a period after you leave.

Leaving the school year early may also affect the financial support you have received from Lånekassen. Contact both the school and Lånekassen if you are considering leaving.

Yes. Many choose to attend folk high school either before or after their compulsory military service.

Some use their year at folk high school to improve their physical fitness and prepare for military service.

There are several ways to combine folk high school with starting military service. You can take a half-year course in the autumn if your service begins in January. If you are due to start military service in April, you can choose a full-year course and may still have the full school year approved as long as your absence is not too high.

Yes. Folk high schools are boarding schools, which means students live at the school during the school year. A small number of schools allow students to live at home while attending.

The combination of classes, free time and living together is an important part of what makes folk high school different from many other types of school.

It varies from school to school. Sharing a room with one other student is most common, but some schools offer single rooms for students who need one.

You can find information about room types on each school’s page at folkehogskole.no.

At folk high school, you will usually be served four meals a day: breakfast, lunch, dinner and an evening meal.

Each school has its own menu, and mealtimes are an important part of everyday life at school. Many students find that the dining hall is a natural place to meet and get to know other students.

Folk high schools accommodate students with food allergies, intolerances or special dietary requirements.

If you have dietary requirements, it is important to let the school know as early as possible.

No. Folk high school is about community, but no one expects you to be social all the time. Most people need both time with others and time to themselves.

It is completely normal to take some time for yourself during your free time, whether you want to relax in your room, go for a walk or do something else on your own.

Folk high schools have experience accommodating students with a variety of needs.

The adjustments and support available vary from school to school and depend on your individual needs. Feel free to contact the school before you apply or accept a place so that you can discuss suitable solutions together.

Folk high schools often have Saturday seminars, and there are usually plenty of other activities that make weekends at school enjoyable too.

Most schools do, however, have some weekends during the year when students can travel home. If there is a special family situation, you can apply for leave.

A typical weekday usually includes a morning gathering, classes during the day, meals with other students and different activities in the afternoon or evening.

Some days may also include trips, projects, events or other activities, so no two weeks are exactly the same.

There is plenty going on at a folk high school outside class.

Many students spend their free time exercising, enjoying hobbies, playing games, making music, doing creative activities or taking part in social events. Others relax with friends, watch a film or head out for a while.

How you spend your free time is up to you.

Most students start folk high school without knowing anyone beforehand. Schools therefore put a lot of effort into activities that make it easy to get to know the other students at the beginning of the year. Classes, boarding-school life, meals and activities also mean that you naturally spend time together throughout the day.

Many students find that they get to know people much faster than they expected.

There are almost 80 folk high schools in Norway, and no two are exactly alike.

When choosing a school, think about what you want to get out of the year. Is a particular course most important to you, or are you more interested in the school’s values, location or size?

At folkehogskole.no, you can explore all the schools and compare what they offer.

Start by thinking about what you are curious about, interested in or would like to learn more about. You can build on something you are already good at or use the year to try something completely new.

At folkehogskole.no, you can explore hundreds of courses in areas such as outdoor activities, travel, music, art, sports, gaming and sustainability.

Many people find it difficult to choose because they are interested in more than one thing. Luckily, you do not have to find one perfect course.

Look for courses that combine several interests or choose something you are curious about and would like to explore further. At some schools, you can choose two completely different main courses.

You can also explore different interests through the elective subjects offered at each school.

Yes. Some folk high schools offer half-year courses.

Half-year courses run either from August to Christmas or from January to summer. You can find information about which schools offer half-year courses at folkehogskole.no.

Yes. Many folk high school courses include study trips in Norway or abroad as part of the programme. Folk high school study trips are designed to give you a deeper experience of the destination than you might get when travelling on your own.

If you do not have a Norwegian passport, please be aware that you are responsible for meeting the entry and visa requirements for the countries you will visit.

All folk high schools share the same basic principles of learning without grades or exams, but they differ in their courses, location, values, size and profile.

Some schools are located in or near cities, while others are surrounded by nature. Some have many students, while others are smaller.

Norwegian folk high schools are either liberal (non-religious) or Christian.

Some schools are based on Christian values, while others are not based on any particular religion or worldview. These are known as liberal folk high schools.

All folk high schools are open to students of different backgrounds, faiths and worldviews.

Yes. Courses can be quite different from one another.

Some include a lot of practical activities and travel, while others involve more teaching at the school.

On each course page, you can find information about what you will do, which activities are included and what you can expect during the year.

A year at folk high school gives young people the opportunity to develop academically, socially and personally.

In addition to developing their skills and knowledge, many become more independent, more confident in their own choices and gain valuable experience of living with others. Students can immerse themselves in subjects they care about, try new activities and experience a strong sense of community.

A year at folk high school can be important when deciding what direction to take next, whether that means higher education or something else. Students can also establish good habits that leave them better prepared for work and further education.

Not necessarily. Dropout rates in higher education are high, and a year at folk high school can reduce the risk of choosing the wrong path. Many students feel they make more considered choices about further education after a year at folk high school. The year can also strengthen their motivation and enjoyment of learning, which can be valuable when they move on to higher education. Many former folk high school students also choose to study in the same city as friends they made at school, which can make the transition to student life easier.

Many choose folk high school between upper secondary school and higher education. For some, the year is an opportunity to mature, explore their interests and become more confident about what they want to study later.

Yes. Attending folk high school before compulsory military service can be a great advantage. The Norwegian Armed Forces value the skills and experience of young people who are used to spending time outdoors and being physically active, both of which are part of life at many folk high schools. Students will also have experience of living closely with others before beginning military service.

There are several ways to combine folk high school with starting military service. Students can take a half-year course in the autumn if their service begins in January. If they are due to start military service in April, they can choose a full-y

Folk high schools have experience supporting and accommodating students with a range of needs and circumstances.

The support and adjustments vary between schools, but schools will make adjustments as far as possible. It is important to contact the school as early as possible to discuss what support or accommodation may be suitable.

If you would like to visit the school beforehand, contact the school well in advance to arrange a visit.

Some schools also offer specially adapted programmes for students who need additional support in everyday life.