Who are the students?

Who would take a course at a folk high school? Anyone above the age of 17½ years of age can attend a folk high school (the two youth folk high schools admit students between 16½ and 19 years of age) - regardless of their educational background.

A mix of ages, backgrounds and life goals

The courses are meant to broaden general, social and democratic competences. This means that you can meet young people at the age of 18 who just finished high school, university students taking a year off, 25-year-olds who still don't know what to do with their lives or adults with an education exploring new sides of themselves etc.

To attend a Danish folk high school, you must be at least 17½ years old (except at youth folk high schools, where students are between 16½ and 19). Most of the students attending long term courses (often 4 months long) are in their early adulthood (20-24 years old), while the majority of the students attending short term courses (1-2 weeks) are in their late adulthood (60 years old or more).

See long-term courses

See short-term courses

Please be advised that most of the schools who accept international students either expect you to know some Danish or to speak English, in fact in order to obtain a residence permit (which you need if you are a non EU citizen), you must be able to speak and understand the language of instruction/education.

In the three videos below you can watch international students share experiences from their stay at Danish folk high schools.

A life at a Danish folk high school

Dreams of change

I want to do something for this society. I want to contribute something to this school. It makes me feel a stronger connection and be more active.

Hanna, South Korea

Reconnecting with Danish roots

I have a lot of interest in learning – learning just because I want to, not because I have an exam. That really works well for me.

Emil, Luxembourg

Clarifying the future

A Danish folk high school is somehow a second home, because you develop a family and live together in a place. At the same time, you share common interests or you share subjects.

Jana, Germany