Stord folkehøgskule is a Norwegian folk high school. Folk high schools are one-year boarding schools offering a variety of exciting non-traditional and non-academic subjects, as well as academic subjects. 

The idea of folk high schools is learning for life, an opportunity to grow both individually, socially, and academically in small learning communities. All students live on campus in close contact with staff and their fellow students. One important part of the folk high school experience is to form a community, in and out of class. 

We have 9 courses at the school. These are spread across

We have these exciting courses:

• Norwegian Language, Fjords, Food and Culture
• Esport, Gaming, and Social!
• Fjord, mountains and wellness!
• Film og TV – Hollywood
• Instarail – Photo, Nature and Experiences – Europe
• Police, Guards and Emergency Preparedness – USA

As a student at Stord Folkehøgskule, you will have the chance to experience and learn about your interests and topics of your choice, while being part of a community that will help you grow and develop not only academically, but also socially and personally. You will also learn more about the Norwegian language and culture, and experience the beauty of Norwegian nature, fjords and wilderness.  

At Stord you will meet other students with a variety of interests and backgrounds, and make friends for life. 

It is important to emphasize that, by law, folk high schools conduct no formal examinations and issue no degrees. After finishing your school year, you will receive a diploma detailing what you have participated in. The folk high school have courses that are different from the regular education system in Norway. 

International students at a folk high school who want to continue to study in Norway do not automatically qualify for enrollment as students in a Norwegian college or university; they must meet the same entry requirements as other international students. 

The school year lasts for 33 weeks and includes at least 16 Saturdays. The education includes a main subject, several optional subject, Saturday-seminars, excursions and different kinds of full meetings, concerts and cultural arrangements. 

There are no closing date for applying to Stord Folk High School. We start admitting Norwegian students on February 1st, but international students are admitted quickly after applying. The school year starts in August. Students are admitted until the school is filled up or until the beginning of the school year. 

When you apply, you get an offer of admittance. You accept our offer by paying an admission fee (of Norwegian Crowns NOK 2500,-). When your payment is confirmed by us, you have finished the admission. If you’re refused a VISA this fee is refunded,

Stord Folk High School is situated on the west coast of Norway. Right between Bergen and Stavanger, at the entrance to the fjords. There’s aproximately 19.000 inhabitants in the city, and 60.000 in the region. 

About Stord Folk High School

Stord Folk High School is a new school, first started in 2021. It’s placed in a renewed hotel, in the urban centre of the island. Surrounded by the nature. 

We want your year at Stord Folk High School to be the most important year of your life. It will be a year where you get a lot of new friends and experience personal and professional growth.

The year at the folk high school can become a milestone in your life. It may be the year that shape you who you are. 

Stord Folk high school is located on the isle of Stord, at the heart of the west coast of Norway. The city has 19.000 habitants, and all the facilities of a modern town.  

The school hosts up to 100 students each year. It is a boarding school where food and lodgings are included. The rooms are single and double occupancy rooms. You have your own key, and ofcourse spend your free time as you like. 

You have to fill 18 years of age during your start-year. Most of our students are 18-20 years of age. 

Stord Folk high school is located on the isle of Stord, at the heart of the west coast of Norway. The city has 19.000 habitants, and all the facilities of a modern town.  

The school hosts up to 100 students each year. It is a boarding school where food and lodgings are included. The rooms are single and double occupancy rooms. You have your own key, and ofcourse spend your free time as you like. 

You have to reach the age of 18 years of age during your start-year. Most of our students are 18-20 years of age. 

Alongside your main course, you will chose 6 electoral subjects as well. These range from creative subjects, sports, dancing, and a whole lot of different activities. 

such as:

• Volleyball
• board games
• theatre
• meditation/yoga
• podcast
• workout
• fishing

and many more

This is a list of our electives:

• • Elective courses Stord Folk High school. Pick 4-6 courses. (description in norwegian)

When moving to a new and foreign country, a million questions arise. Do I need a visa? What is a folk high school? Do I need health insurance? How expensive are the courses? The section below will help you prepare for and make the most of your stay at Stord folk high school. 

We are currently working on translation of more information on our webpage. If you have any questions or need more information, do not hesitate to contact us. 

Stord Folk High School is a socially engaged school. There are three particular things we are passionate about and want to share with you: 

• Our commitment to international solidarity 
• Our work for sustainable development 
• The value of art and culture. 

These three areas permeates both teaching and daily life at school. You will learn about the important issues of our time and have experiences that will give you new perspectives on life. 

Students from outside the EU/EEA area are required to document a financial subsistence guarantee, amounting to140 per cent of the “room-and-board minimum fee” as a condition to be granted a residence permit to attend a folk high school in Norway. 

For all students from outside the EU/EEA area the required guarantee amount for the coming school year will be NOK 98 200. 

Further information may be found on the home page of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) and the section Folk High School. 

For students from inside the EU/EEA area (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Rumania) the requirement for a subsistence guarantee does not apply. Students from the other Nordic countries are on an equal basis with Norwegian students. Consult the following web page: 

http://www.udi.no/Norwegian-Directorate-of-Immigration/Central-topics/Work-and-residence/Work-and-residence-EUEEAEFTA-citizens/Temporary-registration-system-for-EEA-citizens/ 

Start by finding out more about our courses on our website. 

Find the course that suits you best and send us an application. Please use our online application form. 

When the school receives your application, we will review it and you will have an answer in a few days to one week. If you are accepted, you will have a few weeks to consider the offer and pay a registration fee (NOK 2 500,-). We might contact you if we have any questions. 

Visa and residence permit – EU/EEA/EFTA 

Students that are citizens of an EU/EEA/EFTA country no longer have to apply for a residence permit, but you must register at the police station within three months after your arrival to Norway. 

You can make a preliminary registration online. Information about the requirements and how to register online will be found by this link: 

https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/residence-under-the-eueeu-regulations/student-who-are-eueea-national/

Students from countries outside EU/EEA/EFTA need to have a visa in order to get a residence permit in Norway. The visa must be obtained before arriving in Norway. Students need to file their applications for visa as soon as possible after admission to Stord. 

You accept our offer by paying the full school fees . Students who live outside of school premises also have to deposit an amount for subsistence in our bank account. 

We will send you a letter confirming your payment, admission, room/board, and more. Please note that if you are living outside of school premises, you will need a confirmation of a place to live (a lease from your landlord or a confirmation from the people you are living with) for your visa application. 

Apply for a student residence permit at the application portal at http://www.udi.no. Here you can find a checklist for what you need for the application. You have to enclose both letters from us (offering a place at school and confirmation of payment). Please remember your username and password for the application portal, you will need it later.

The visa process takes time, so please apply as soon as possible and make sure you enclose all necessary papers. You have to go to the nearest Norwegian consulate to deliver your application in person. 

When you are granted a student visa, please let us know. 

The application should be filed with the Norwegian Embassy in your home country. You need the visa to get a residence permit in Norway. All foreign students, except those from the Nordic countries, must obtain a formal residence permit within 7 days after arrival in Norway. 

Before coming to Norway, you have to log on to the application portal (www.udi.no) with the same username/password you used when you applied for your visa. Then book an appointment with the immigration police in Haugesund (Sør-Vest police). The best time to have an appointment is the second week of the school year. 

In August we are welcoming you to school, and will help you with all the formalities of moving to a new country. 

If you are denied a visa, we will refund the money you have paid (what we have received in Norwegian currency) to the same bank account it was paid from. 

If you have questions regarding visa or residence permit, please contact your local Norwegian Embassy. 

USEFUL LINKS: 

• How to apply for a residence permit for a student at a folk high school (UDI) 
• Checklist for visa (UDI) 

Information from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration: www.udi.no/Norwegian-Directorate-of-Immigration/Central-topics/Studies/How-do-I-apply-for-a-residence-permit-for-students/ 

For applicants from countries outside the EU/EEA/EFTA 

When you apply for a residence permit for students, you must submit the following documents: 

• Application form with passport-sized photograph 
• Copy of passport 
• Your Enrolment Document from Stord. We will send this document after you accept the admission offer. 
• Documentation of financial support. For all students from outside the EU/EEA the required guarantee amount for the coming school year will be NOK 115.000,-
• Documentation requirements vary from country to country and are subject to changes. For information, contact the Norwegian foreign service mission closest to you. If you are in Norway, contact the local police or the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) 

All international students (except Nordic) must carry medical insurance for their period of stay in Norway. EU-citizens need social security coverage (form E-111) and to carry medical insurance in your home country and insurance for your personal belongings. 

Students from the European Economic Area (EEA) 

Students from EU/EEA countries must have health insurance coverage from their home country. 

• The European Health Insurance Card documents that you are entitled to necessary medical treatment during temporary stays in other EEA countries or in Switzerland. 
• You are entitled to treatment on a par with the citizens of the country where you are staying. 
• If you decide to use private health insurance you have to check with your insurance office as to whether your coverage applies to Norway. 
• You must bring the European Health Insurance Card or documentation of private health insurance when you enter Norway. 

For further information about the correct card/form please check with the nearest health authority office in your home country. 

Read more about the European Health Insurance Card on the European Commission’s website. 

Students from countries outside the European Economic Area 

Students from non-EU/EEA countries can become members of the National Insurance Scheme. 

Staying in Norway between 3 and 12 months 

• If the duration of your stay in Norway is between 3 and 12 months you can apply for voluntary membership in the National Insurance Scheme at the insurance office in the municipality in which you are staying. 
• Please note that students who do not apply for voluntary membership should have a social security coverage from their home country. 

School Start

Sunday, August 25, 2024

The school opens for moving in from 10 AM. You will be welcomed by staff and student assistants and can move into your dormitory room.
You can arrive at any time that suits you during the day, but it would be nice if you are in place before 3 PM, as we have a welcome gathering for everyone then.

Fall Break

Friday, October 4 – Sunday, October 13
(Friday, October 4 is free from 12 PM, return day is Sunday, October 13)

The last day before the holiday is Friday, October 4. You can leave the school from 12 PM and must leave before 4 PM. If you need to leave earlier than 12 PM, please contact your course teacher well in advance.
Classes resume after the holiday on Monday, October 14 at 9 AM.

Free Weekend

November 15-17

You are free after classes on Friday, November 15 at 3 PM. You can leave or stay at the school.

Christmas Break

December 18 to January 2
(Friday, December 18 is free from 12 PM, return day is Thursday, January 2)

The last day before the holiday is Friday, December 18. You can leave the school from 12 PM and must leave before 4 PM. If you need to leave earlier than 12 PM, please contact your course teacher well in advance.
Classes resume after the holiday on Friday, January 3 at 9 AM.

Winter Break

February 21 to March 2
(Friday, February 21 is free from 12 PM, return day is Sunday, March 2)

The last day before the holiday is Friday, February 21. You can leave the school from 12 PM and must leave before 4 PM. If you need to leave earlier than 12 PM, please contact your course teacher well in advance.
Classes resume after the holiday on Monday, March 3 at 9 AM.

Easter Break

March 11 to April 22
(Friday, April 11 is free from 12 PM, return day is Tuesday, March 22)

The last day before the holiday is Friday, April 11. You can leave the school from 12 PM and must leave before 4 PM. If you need to leave earlier than 12 PM, please contact your course teacher well in advance.
Classes resume after the holiday on Wednesday, April 23 at 9 AM.

Graduation Day with Certificate Ceremony

May

There will be a communal dinner for students and guests (up to two per student) and a closing ceremony with certificate distribution. It is possible to leave after the certificate ceremony.

The last day of departure is saturday the 10th of may.