Voss Folkehøgskule

The Tradition   
Voss Folk High School was founded in 1895 and is an independent school for the general development of the individual. The school adheres to the ideas of the Danish scholar Nicolai S Grundtvig, who laid the foundations for a school that places the growth and development of the student in the centre. Learning is a process that is optimised by the will to learn, and an inspired dialog between student and teacher.   

The School Today   
Voss Folk High School is an active and creative environment. There are great opportunities for personal growth and immersion in subjects of interest. The school emphasizes the traditions of local and Norwegian culture, the process of acquiring wisdom, and expression of opinion. The school has 6 major subjects: Music, Sports & Outdoor Life, Arts Crafts & Design, Film & Photo, Computing & Internet and Ski & River (an extreme sport related course). Major course activities are an important part of everyday school life.


Arts, Crafts and Design
Do get satisfaction out of creating something concrete from your ideas or fantasies? Do you enjoy testing your creativity with different materials or techniques? Are you interested in improving your knowledge of art, modern design and traditional handcrafts?

A year on the Arts, Crafts and Design course can be used as preparation for further studying or a career in art. It can also be used as a year in which you do exactly what you’ve always wanted to try. You will be given the opportunity to work with textiles, wood, graphics and ceramics. Through this experience you will gain a great creative satisfaction and inspiration to design your own, totally unique master pieces.


Film and Photo
Do you like taking pictures or looking at the world through a lense? Do you dream of making films or working as a photographer? Are you curious to find out how to work within the visual media sector?

A year on the Film and Photo course will bring out the creativity within you and teach you to work effectively and well within a team environment.  Film and Photo is a practical course which works right through from the initial idea to the finished product.  Throughout the year you will be given the opportunity to make short films, digital presentations and photo exhibitions.  We can promise you an exciting year, full of novel experiences.


Music
Is music an important part of your life?  Do you sing or play and instrument?  Do you have a strong desire to compose your own music for ensembles both large and small?

A year on the music course will give you inspiration and insights into a career as a musician.  The teaching format is not set in stone and instead takes, as a starting point, the individual abilities and goals of each student.  It is set out so that each student will have the opportunity to become a rounded musician who can appreciate music in various contexts.


Computing and Internet
Are you especially interested in computers, programming and the internet?  Do you have a desire to learn more about how to create websites, use graphic design techniques and much more?

A year on the Computing and Internet course is very useful to those of you who are planning a career in computing.  Its also useful to those who simply wish to use computers more effectively in their free time.  The Computer and Internet course allows for specialisation, whilst providing a general background in the subject.  Throughout the year, you will become acquainted with various programmes, systems, languages and methods - everything you need for designing websites, games and much more.  Students use their own computers.


Sports and Outdoor Life
Are you interested in learning new sports and improving your skills in sports you already play?  Do you enjoy being out in fresh air, being active and pushing yourself to your physical limits? Do you have a lot of energy or do you wish to have more?

Throughout the year on the Sport and Outdoor Life course, the emphasis is upon playfulness.  Here you will find room for an extensive range of physical activities, including skiing, orienteering, ball sports, fishing, rowing and sailing.  This year will provide you with a deeper interest for physical activity and a greater empathy for nature and the environment.

 

Ski and river

Do you like river paddling, sea kayakking, avalanche course, bouldring, climbing mountains by ski? Interested in feeling nature's power? Challenge yourself both physically and mentally? Experience mastering, joy, harmony, and a unique fellowship with your fellow students? Develop body and mind? One year at Ski and River will give you these experiences in human's right element: nature!

Voss   
Voss is surrounded by mountains and is near beautiful fjord landscapes. There are great opportunities for challenging nature experiences all year round. One of north Europe's best ski resorts can also be found in Voss. 

 

Vossevangen is a pulsating little town with a population of approximately 6,000. Farming, tourism, trade and service industries are important economical factors in the municipality.

Voss is a cultural town. There is an active sports community, a good cinema and music concerts. The Ole Bull Academy inspires and teaches folk-music traditions to students from the whole country. The annual Voss Jazz Festival highlights the relationship between folk-music and jazz. There are many craftsmen in the town who contribute to sustaining and developing old handcraft traditions.
   
The school   
Voss Folk High School is situated on the Seim Farm directly west from the town center. The buildings are old, traditional, red-painted and quaint. This special style creates an atmosphere that is easy to enjoy. From the school there is a beautiful view of Vangsvatnet lake and the mountains surrounding Voss. The school owns a mountain farm close to Upsete station on the Bergen-Oslo railway, and also owns a forest hut 600 meters above sea level, close to the school. The dorm buildings are spread around the campus and so are buildings where teaching takes place. Music and video studios, pottery room, weaving & textiles room, a gymnasium and other classrooms are open for activities until 11PM every day.

The school day   
The Folk High School is not constricted by a rigid curriculum. We are free to choose those subjects, themes and methods that best help us achieve our goals. Occasionally, we diverge completely from the schedule. This applies to three whole weeks where we solely concentrate on the major subjects. Should the need arise, we will change the schedule to accommodate special challenges that demand that we all work together; such as large school projects.


School year   
The school year starts at the end of August and lasts until mid-May. Altogether, there are 185 days of instruction, including most Saturdays. During the fall, Christmas, winter and Easter vacations, the school is closed. Foreign students can reside on campus if prior agreement is made.

Financial information 
To reserve the place Kr. 1200.-
Board and lodging for the whole school year:
From NOK kr. 54200,-
Costs for field trips, excursions, teaching materials, etc. are from NOK kr. 11000,- to 13000,-
If you quit during the year you have to pay for 6 weeks after the quitting date.

Application   
Write an application using this link.

Contact
Please contact us for more information about the school and the courses.  Either by e-mail or by phone.

Address   
Voss Folkehøgskule
Eskelandsvegen 28
5700 Voss
NORWAY  

Telephone/Fax   
+47 56529040 / +47 56529041
   
E-mail   
Administration - admin@voss.fhs.no
Principal - rektor@voss.fhs.no
Web editor- web@voss.fhs.no