A year that takes you further
Choosing Oslo Folk High School means investing in a year where you can cultivate your interests and at the same time be part of a diverse community. No matter which line you choose, you will meet new people, learn something about yourself and what you want. Here you can build a portfolio, pursue your sports career, receive guidance and work on achieving your ambitions. Or you can find new interests, try new things, explore the world. No matter where you go, a year at Oslo Folk High School will take you further.
Benefits of a year at Oslo Folk High School
At Oslo Folkehøgskole we emphasize academic specialization. With a lot of class time on the schedule, students have plenty of room to develop skills within their subject area and become more confident and skilled - through practical work, continuous practice and close follow-up from experienced and committed educators.
Over 70% of the 7,000 students who attended folk high schools in 2024 and 2025 say that the year made them more motivated to continue learning. We want to create an arena where students find motivation in what they explore and engage in throughout the year with us, which in addition to laying a solid foundation for lasting joy in learning later in life.
With us, students are given the opportunity to develop more aspects of themselves than just academic ones. Without grades and exams, the focus shifts from achievement to inner motivation and curiosity. This gives room to discover more about who you are and what you want from life.
Meetings with different people, practical challenges, conversations and a focus on democratic participation make the folk high school year a unique year for personal development.
At Oslo Folkehøgskole you will meet both those with whom you share academic ambitions and those who have completely different interests than you. Going to a liberal arts school that takes subjects seriously provides valuable contact networks for further studies and career paths, while also allowing you to gain friendships and relationships with people you would otherwise never have met.
In addition to the regular tour that is included in the price, our students can also choose to join a longer study trip during the spring semester. The trips go to different destinations, but what they all have in common is that they offer strong experiences, new impressions and valuable lessons to build on.
We travel to meet people and experience places that put the world into perspective. Meaningful travel gives students increased understanding, new knowledge, and memories for life.
A valuable network
The folk high school year provides a good framework for establishing professional and social networks with lasting value. Through close collaboration, shared learning processes and participation in an active school environment, students develop relationships that can be relevant both in further studies and in working life.
The school facilitates strong academic communities within sports, music and art - where sharing experiences, collaboration and academic inspiration are central. Such environments can help strengthen students' further development and provide a valuable starting point for further efforts within the sports, musical or creative fields.
Development of unique professional expertise
At folk high schools you will experience holistic learning through academic specialization, personal development and active participation in a learning community. At Oslo folk high schools, students have the opportunity to delve into subject areas they find meaningful and engaging, within clear academic frameworks. During a year with us, you will become academically stronger and more confident in your chosen subject area.
The teaching is based on a pedagogy that emphasizes mastery, motivation and participation. The school has experienced educators with solid backgrounds who offer academic teaching combined with close, individual follow-up that supports students in developing their own perspectives.
In online education, students encounter both structure and independence - experiences that are relevant for further studies and professional life. The absence of grades and reduced performance pressure provides space for academic exploration and internal motivation, which often contributes to increased engagement and lasting academic benefits.
Personal development – A formative year
The folk high school year facilitates personal development and education through participation in a committed community and learning environment. This provides a unique starting point for Although the education is not grade-based, there are clear expectations for presence and engagement in both teaching and joint activities. Students encounter an environment where contributing, collaborating and being part of the community is a central part of learning.
In meetings with fellow students and teachers, students are seen, met and challenged in everyday life. Through interaction, dialogue and practical experiences, independence, reflection and cooperation skills are developed. Trying new roles, handling unfamiliar situations and moving outside the comfort zone takes place within a safe framework, and contributes to learning and mastery that extends beyond academic work.
Learn more about former students' journeys after folk high school:
Marianne Knudsen
Economics: A calculation that works out
Compared to a normal student life, you get a complete package here that covers both the practical and the social aspects. The price includes board and lodging, leisure activities, group trips, a bus trip, insurance and a travel card in Oslo. So you get a lot for your money.