About Us
Interactive Brochure
We are a liberal folk high school in Bergen. Here you’ll encounter an open and tolerant attitude, where diversity is welcome. Together we broaden our horizons, create innovative solutions, and make good choices for ourselves and others.
Our vision is for all students to be able to live free, rich, and meaningful lives, at a school where substances don’t stand in the way of this.
Location and History
Bergen Folk High School is located in the Åsane district. The school was established in 1966, and in recent years, the school building has been significantly upgraded. This gives us a school to be proud of, both in terms of the school’s long traditions and its modern facilities.
Major Subjects and Teaching
All students at Bergen Folk High School are admitted to a program that they follow throughout the school year. Here, students can cultivate their main academic interests through varied teaching methods led by skilled teachers who are passionate about their subjects and their students.
More than Major Subjects
A year with us is so much more than just the major subject!
Through work with major and common subjects, events, study trips, and shared experiences, the school aims to strengthen students’ competence in these four areas:
- Creative competence – the ability to meet challenges and create something new
- Collaboration competence – the ability to live together and bring out the best in each other
- Global competence – the ability to broaden one’s perspective and participate solidarily in larger communities
- Life competence – the ability to take care of oneself, both physically and emotionally
Life at the School
You will learn a lot through life in the dormitory and through interactions with fellow students and staff, through shared experiences and activities, and not least, on study trips. Some travel to distant and, for many of us, unfamiliar cultures, while others have closer destinations.
Study Trips
Central to all our study trips is that the journey and stay have academic content and provide experiences that align with the school’s learning objectives.
Musical Project
Every year, the school produces a musical in which all students participate. Some as actors, dancers, singers. Some create sets and costumes, some play in the band, some manage sound and lighting, and some work on advertising and blogging, while others build visual spaces digitally. Competence development focusing on your potential.
LONG HISTORY AND MODERNITY
EQUALITY AND RESPECT
WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMS
DIVERSITY AND OPENNESS
COLLABORATION AND CREATIVITY
Special Features of the School, Equipment, and Facilities
- We have skilled and enthusiastic teachers who aim to focus on you and your possibilities. Students and teachers work together to create good learning arenas that give you increased competence and positive experiences of community and belonging.
- We have a wide range of core and elective courses. This makes us a great melting pot for young people with diverse interests.
- We have good facilities adapted to the needs of the various programs, all classrooms, practice rooms, and workshops are open all evening.
- We are a Fairtrade school, and we focus on healthy nutrition with homemade food from fresh ingredients and plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- We require participation and attendance, and we expect a high level of activity from morning to evening.
- Bergen is an exciting city and the school uses the city: Stoltzekleiven, the ridge from Ulriken to Fløyen, Grieghallen, the Aquarium, theater, etc.
We want the year at Bergen FHS to give you increased self-insight and strengthen your self-esteem. We want you to be able to use your abilities and resources for the benefit of yourself and others. Welcome as a team player.
Bergen Folk High School is owned by IOGT in Norway: www.iogt.no.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a folk high school?
Folk high school is a school without exams and grades. You live in a dormitory at the school and can immerse yourself in subjects you are passionate about
Where is Bergen Folk High School located?
We are located in the Åsane district of Bergen.
Which programs do you offer?
We offer the following full-year courses for the 26-27 school year:
- Animation and Graphics
- Architecture and Design
- Your future
- Philosophy – Greece
- Musical and Performance
- Music and health
- Latin America Travel and Experience
- Product Design
- Revue and Theater
- The Writing Workshop – Authorship and Creative Writing
Half-year courses 2026:
- Your future autumn 2026
How Long is the School Day?
We usually start at 08:45 and finish at 14:30. Some of our elective courses take place in the evening, and some evenings we travel to Bergen city center to go to the theater, concert or similar. The school buildings are locked at 23:00, and we encourage our students to actively use all rooms until they are closed.
What is Morning Assembly?
3 days a week we start with roll call and announcements at 08:45. A teacher or student then holds a morning assembly for the rest of the school. They then talk about something they are concerned about, something they have experienced, something they are good at, etc.
Is there Saturday Instruction?
Yes, on the Saturdays when there is no free weekend, there is a Saturday seminar in the morning and a student night in the evening.
What is the Food like?
The kitchen emphasizes varied and healthy food. Breakfast and supper are usually bread with different types of toppings.
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, students and staff have a common lunch. Then it is usually served, salad, soup, porridge or leftovers in addition to bread.
On Wednesdays and Fridays, students must pack a lunch at breakfast to have for lunch.
Do I Have to Attend all Meals?
No, you don’t have to, but since you pay for the food, it may be a good idea to get as many of the meals as possible. If you have a special diet, it is important that you notify the kitchen of absence at dinner well in advance.
How is Absence Recorded?
All teaching and all events under the auspices of the school are compulsory. It is important that you talk to the teachers if for some reason you cannot be present at the teaching
Can I Have Visitors?
Yes. The school has some vacant rooms that are used for overnight guests, if desired. The price for accommodation is 400/500 depending on whether it is family or friends. This includes all meals and loan of bed linen/towels.
It is also possible to invite visitors to dinner. It costs 100 kr per person.
The student or the visitor themselves settles up via Vipps.
How Often is there a Free Weekend?
There is a free weekend approximately every fourth weekend.
Is the School Closed when there is a Free Weekend?
No, the school is your home even on free weekends. The school is closed during the autumn, Christmas, winter and Easter holidays, and during these holidays you must leave the school
When Will I Find out who I Will be Sharing a Room with?
Can I Choose a Single Room?
If we have enough rooms, we can offer single rooms for an additional fee. We will prioritize the allocation of single rooms based on special needs.
How Big are the Rooms?
Do Boys and Girls Live in the Same Dormitory?
Yes, there is.
How many Dormitories Does the School Have?
Bergen Folk High School has 7 dormitories.
What Do I Need to Bring when I Arrive?
Can I Hang Things on the Walls?
Do We Clean the Rooms Ourselves?
Can I Change Rooms if I Don't get along so Well with My Roommate?
Is there a TV in the Dormitory?
Yes. Each dormitory has a TV in the common area.
Is there Wireless Internet in the Dormitory?
Yes, there is wireless network throughout the school.
What are the Possibilities for Washing Clothes?
Can I Go to School if I Am a Vegetarian or Have Food Allergies?
Bergen Folk High School’s kitchen has extensive experience catering for students with special dietary requirements and is used to accommodating most allergies. Please remember to inform us of any special needs in your application so that we can prepare for your arrival.
If you receive public financial support to cover the cost of a special diet or specific food requirements, you should expect to pay a small additional fee to the school.
Where is the Nearest Shop?
Can I Bring My Own Car?
Yes, the school has plenty of parking space for those students who bring their own car.
How Do I Find out when the Bus Leaves?
You can download the “Skyss” app. There you can find schedules and buy bus tickets.