Silkeborg Højskole

This popular Danish Folk High School has been welcoming students from different national and cultural backgrounds since 1969. Set in the scenic landscape of the lake district, Silkeborg Højskole offers a place for personal growth, creativity, and outdoor experiences within arts, sports, music, philosophy and more.  At Silkeborg Højskole we promote independent thinking and value the perspectives of others.

About the school

Arts I ceramics I music I sport I outdoor

A semester at Silkeborg Højskole is the gift of new experiences, insight and knowledge that will broaden your world and deepen your roots. While living with people from different cultural and social backgrounds you discover who you are and that your contribution to the community matters.

Meet the internationals in this video

Join us for a spring term (January to mid June) or autumn term (August to mid December).

Teaching Style

Our teaching style is based on equality between students and teachers. You are encouraged to speak your mind and partake in discussions from your standpoint. That way we all benefit.

The Danish folk high school is a unique informal kind of school with no grades, no exams and no formalised objective other than provide meaningful learning experiences for you together with others.

Silkeborg Højskole offers you a combination of challenging classes and a rich social life 24-7. Højskole is about making you forget that you are here to learn by making you engage in every experience in a manner that you have never tried before; whether it is in a class room, on sea kayaking, hiking in nature, planning the next event with your friends, using your hands or mind or enjoying a day in quiet retreat. At Silkeborg Højskole we offer the facilities for all of the above.


How can we help?

Check out our FAQ

Email us at info@silkeborghojskole.dk or call +45 86 82 29 33. 


Our core subjects

Philosophy
Outdoor Life
Sports
Kayak and Canoe
Ceramics and Raku
Art
Music
Politics
Study Trips (more than 2 weeks)
Society

Courses and topics

Are your dreams accompanied by a soundtrack? Do you sleep best under an open sky and with your favourite outdoor gear within easy reach? Do you think in artistic images and see the world in colours? Is exercise as important to you as breathing? Do you have a host of ideas just waiting to be given physical and ceramical shape? ... Or do you just want to try something new? 

Main Subjects

At Silkeborg Højskole we offer five main subjects suitable for non-Danish-speaking students. You attend one main subject for the duration of your stay.

Existential subjects

During a semester, you choose two existential subjects. 

Existential subjects explore different aspects of human life. We aim for students to reflect on and gain knowledge of the existential wonders of life. 

Subjects may adhere to a wide range of themes such as:

  • Sustainability
  • Religion 
  • Culture
  • Philosophy
  • Art 

The list of existential subjects is updated each semester. Learn more about the subjects at Silkeborg Højskole.

Elective subjects

During a semester, you choose 3-4 elective subjects. 

Elective subjects often have a practical, physical or creative scope ranging from e.g. handicrafts and arts through song writing to outdoor activities, cooking and beer brewing.

The list of elective subjects is updated each semester. Learn more about the subjects at Silkeborg Højskole.

 


Practical information

Get a virtual tour of Silkeborg Højskole 

Silkeborg Højskole offers beautiful and well-equipped facilities for all our subject acitivties.

Music: A fully-equipped music house with sound studios, control room and rehearsal rooms.

Ceramics: Two well-equipped pottery workshops, 16 electric pottery wheels, glaze department, two pottery kilns, three raku kilns and everything in tools.

Art: Large art workshop and studio.

Nature and Outdoor life: Large sustainable open-air building, nature park with a large firehouse and shelter, kayaks and canoes.

Sports and water sports: Swimming pool, sports hall, fitness room and mountain bikes, as well as outdoor double beach volleyball court.  

A Danish folk high school in the lake district

Silkeborg Højskole is located in beautiful central Jutland between hills and forests right down to the vast lake; Silkeborg Langsø.

As a student you have easy access to explore the local landscape and city life is just a short walk, bike or canoe ride away. The town of Silkeborg offers a host of shops, cosy cafes and cultural sights as well as train and bus connections if you wish to visit Aarhus; Denmark’s second-largest city only 35 minutes out.

Please contact us at info@silkeboghojskole.dk if you have any questions or check out our FAQ site


School Type

General and Grundtvigian Schools

Prices

Learn more about the cost of a semester at Silkeborg Højskole.

About accommodation

Accomodations: 135

Travels

Experiencing the world is part of your højskole education. Learn about our travel destinations

We travel to Ghana, the Balkans, Kenya, India, South Korea, Norway (winter), Norway (Summer)Belgium, USA and Corsica

Diet

If you have medical or religious reasons to request a special diet, please contact us upon registration so that we may take appropriate measures to accomodate your needs.

Disabled facilities

  • Handicap-friendly facilities.
  • Full access for wheelchair users and disabled people. 
  • Elevator.
  • Four student places (two student rooms) with a shared accessible toilet and bath.

Contact school

Silkeborg Højskole
Platanvej 12
8600 Silkeborg

Phone number: 86 82 29 33
info@silkeborghojskole.dk
Manager: Claus Staal