What is a folk high school – and why choose it?
You will have a different school year without grades, syllabus and exams – with learning in practice, strong communities, boarding life and travel at home and abroad. The goal is life skills, personal development and experiences that you can take with you into your studies and work. A completed folk high school year gives 2 additional credits towards higher education.
Why choose Valdres Folk High School?
You spend a year in the middle of the "Winter Adventure" - with winter, adventure, nature and strong community. The school is among those with the best well-being and personal development, and is located at the foot of Jotunheimen with stable winters and a short distance to the high mountains. See also the student certificate: "10,000 students are not wrong".
More about Valdres Folk High School
How old do I have to be to apply?
The age limit is 18 years (can be waived). The average age is approximately 19.5 years, and you will meet students from all over the country.
What is the environment like at school?
The environment at the boarding school is characterized by diversity, inclusion and close community. You are welcome as you are – regardless of background, gender identity, outlook on life or faith. The result is security, a sense of mastery and friendships that last.
Read more about our values
When does the school year start and end?
Start, holidays and end can be found in the school schedule (updated annually).
What does a typical week look like?
In short: You spend most of your time on core subjects, have common subjects for everyone and can choose up to 14 hours of electives per week. Boarding school life softens the distinction between school and leisure time.
- Line subjects: the main part of the week – applied for per line.
- Common subjects: for example, boarding class, body/soul/spirit, psychology, project and seminar.
- Electives: up to 14 hours per week – wide menu from mountaineering and kiting to baking and personal finance.
Read more about our electives
How much travel will there be during the year?
All lines have study trips – destinations and duration vary with line choice. You can expect 1–2 study trips of 3–6 weeks. Trips include Japan, Morocco, Botswana, New Zealand, Peru, Zanzibar and the Alps.
See the route pages for details about destinations and trip lengths, and on our travel pages you can read more about the study trips.
Read more about what you need to know about insurance .
Where is the school located - and how many students go there?
You live in Valdres – high and close to Jotunheimen – with stable winters, snow from November to May, and walking/biking distance to Fagernes. The school has room for around 140 students. Distance: 180 km from Oslo, 330 km from Bergen and 380 km from Trondheim.
How do you live at school?
Most people live in double rooms in their own dormitories. Single rooms can be requested (for an additional fee). The dormitories are newly renovated, with a living room and kitchen, a short walk to a shower/toilet and a washing machine/dryer – and are located close to the main building and the dining hall.
How is the food?
The kitchen prepares healthy and varied food from scratch – from home-baked Valdres bread to hot lunches, salad tables and delicious weekend meals. Allergies and diets can be accommodated by arrangement with the kitchen manager (may incur additional costs).
What should I pack and prepare for before school starts?
The school will collect everything you need for the start of school – including a packing list, school itinerary and practical information about insurance and passports. This will be posted on the school website well in advance of the start of school, and you will be sent the necessary information once you have been accepted into our school.
Here you will find information for 25/26
Do I need a passport, vaccinations or travel insurance?
All students must have travel insurance . The school has its own insurance information and coverage overview. You must have a valid passport for international travel, and more information about this can be found on the school start page. Vaccination information beyond this is not specified on the website.
Will I receive any support or assistance during the year?
Yes, you can use the school's call service and guidance, as well as its own physiotherapist or manual therapist with whom the school has an agreement. We value the individual highly, where personal development is one of the central goals of a year with us. Please write more about your thoughts about this when you apply for a place with us so that we can arrange it in the best possible way.
How does Valdres Folkehøgskole work with safety, security and emergency preparedness?
The school has clear insurance and safety information for travel and activities, including guidance on coverage and extreme sports. The values emphasize safe, open communities and preventive work on the environment and well-being.
In addition, the school focuses on routines and plans for unwanted incidents and acute situations, so that everyone is taken care of in the best possible way throughout their stay with us.
Can I get support from the Loan Fund?
The folk high school year can be financed with loans and grants from the Lånekassen. At Valdres you get a fixed price with a clear payment plan, and everything included is specified. On each individual line page you will also find information about costs and support.
Read more about economics
How do I apply for a place?
- When: Admissions are ongoing from November 15th (for "Active living and leisure" from September 1st).
- How to apply: Fill out the application form and submit transcripts with order and behavior. The school may invite you to visit before admission to assess needs.
- Criteria: Age, absences, order and behavior, relevant health/social information, capacity and class composition. Time of application may be decisive.
- If you get in: You confirm your place, pay the enrollment fee, and receive practical information via the school's pages and your own landing pages after admission.
What is the school's stance on alcohol and drugs?
The school has zero tolerance for alcohol and other drugs when you are a student with us. This creates safety and well-being, and is part of the school's core values .
Is Valdres Folkehøgskole a Christian school?
The school is owned by the Norwegian YWCA-YMCA, but you are welcome regardless of your faith or outlook on life. The values emphasize open, safe communities and genuine encounters between people.
Read more about our values
What are former students left with after the year?
Students talk about friendship, coping and "the best years of their lives". You can read more about feedback from our former students on our website:
10,000 students can't be wrong
See what students say about us