Your Norwegian Adventure Awaits: Spend a Year at a Folkehøgskole

That’s everyday life at a Norwegian folkehøgskole (folk high school). It’s not just a school year. It’s an adventure that can change your life.

What Is a Folkehøgskole?

A folkehøgskole is a unique type of boarding school that focuses on personal development, community, and learning for life. You live, study, and share unforgettable experiences together with other young people, most of them Norwegian, but also international students who come to discover the beauty and culture of Norway.

There are no exams or grades. Instead, you learn by doing, through projects, discussions, creative work, travel, and outdoor adventures.

Folkehøgskole is often translated to folk high school in English. That can be deceiving as folkehøgskole is usually something you do after high school.

Do you want to learn Norwegian?

Each school offers a variety of lines (main courses) you can choose from. You might want to study Norwegian language and culture, or perhaps you’d rather spend your year hiking, skiing, traveling, creating art, playing music, or filming adventures.

If you don’t speak Norwegian, and you don’t choose one of the Norwegian language and culture classes, there are still options. Just contact the school to ask if they accomodate English-speaking students.

Learn More Than You Ever Expected

During your year at a folkehøgskole, you’ll not only learn new skills, you’ll learn about yourself and others. You’ll gain confidence, independence, teamwork, and lifelong friendships. Living so closely with others gives you a deep sense of connection and understanding, skills that are invaluable wherever life takes you next.

Experience Norway – or Start a New Life Here

Folkehøgskole is the perfect way to experience Norway for a year. You’ll get to explore the wilderness, see the northern lights, and understand Norwegian life from the inside.

For many international students, it’s also a stepping stone to studying or working in Norway. You’ll learn the language, understand the culture, and build a network that makes it much easier to start a new life here.

Practical Information

Since you live at the school, there is a tuition fee. The cost covers accommodation, meals, and study trips, both in Norway and sometimes abroad. Each school sets its own fees.

If you come from outside the EU/EEA or the UK, you’ll need to apply for a study permit through UDI (the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration). You’ll also need to show a guarantee amount in a Norwegian bank account before the visa can be issued. It’s smart to apply early, as the visa process can take time.

How to Apply

Applying is easy! Go to folkehogskole.no, find the school and classes that inspire you, and send your application directly to the school through the application form.

Admission opens on November 15, and schools have rolling admission after that, meaning they accept new students until the school is full or the school year begins. If you need a visa, we recommend applying as early as possible.