At Hurdal Verk Folk High School we welcome international students!

WELCOME TO HURDAL VERK FOLK HIGH SCHOOL

At Hurdal Verk Folk High School, learning Norwegian is not just something you do in a classroom — it is something you live every day.

We have welcomed international students for more than 40 years, and we know what it takes to help you succeed, feel at home, and truly become part of Norwegian life.

Our school is located only 30 minutes from Norway’s main airport, Oslo Airport, and one hour from the capital Oslo. This makes it very easy to travel to us from abroad, as you will need no expensive onward travel within Norway. You will be close to amazing nature and find Norwegian friends of your own age.

Are you thinking about studying in Norway? A year at Hurdal Verk folk high school is a good prerequisite for success as a student.

8 Reasons to Choose this school

TRANSLATE

Choose your language in the Google Translator below to read all information on this website in your language.

NOTE: “Lines” in the top menu means Main Course

MAIN COURSE SUBJECTS

NOTE: At this school you choose 2 main courses.

This is how it works:

• At Verk Folk High School, international students are not placed in separate classes. Instead, they are fully integrated into regular classes alongside Norwegian students who speak both Norwegian and English.

Our experience shows that this creates real friendships and helps students learn the language faster and more naturally.

• That is why “Norwegian for Foreigners” is not a separate study line, but an additional course for those who want to learn Norwegian.
• This means you can freely choose from our wide range of main courses, without limitations. You choose two main courses, not just one. This allows you to combine different interests, tailor your school year to your interests, and meet even more people, giving you a richer social and learning experience.
• When you apply, you select your Line 1 and Line 2, and simply add Norwegian for Foreigners if you want Norwegian language training.

NORWEGIAN FOR FOREIGN SPEAKERS

We offer Norwegian language and culture class to non-native Norwegian speakers.

Our experience shows that international students integrate quickly here, because they don’t study next to Norwegian students — they study, live, travel, and build friendships with them.

Our Norwegian teaching is based on a high-quality language program called Lingu witch will help you learn Norwegian fast and effectively. We offer engaging classroom teaching combined with interactive app-based learning, helping you reach a confident conversational level in everyday Norwegian.

The Norwegian course with access to all resources including the app, is included in the price for all our foreign students.

Through the course, you can expect to reach level A2, possibly up to B1 for those who are particularly active and use all the resources regularly.

Lessons are held at the same time as some of the compulsory subjects (2-4 hours a week).

But the most powerful learning happens outside the classroom. At Hurdal Verk, Norwegian is part of daily life: Through conversations at meals, on your main courses, during evening activities, on study trips, and while spending time with friends from Norway and all over the world. This is how language becomes real — not just something you study, but something you use.

Except from the Norwegian classes, most teaching are held in Norwegian, with translation to English from teacher or fellow students. But don’t worry — Norwegian students speak excellent English. Our experience is that international students quickly feel confident, supported, and part of the community.

With around 10–15 international students each year, Hurdal Verk offers a warm, global atmosphere where it is easy to make friends across cultures — while still being deeply connected to Norwegian life.

The language course at a Folk High school can give you basic language and writing comprehension, but is usually not sufficient to write the language test for University entry.

One price – Everything included

At our school, we focus on providing students with a predictable and transparent financial framework. That is why our price is all-inclusive and covers:

• All lessons and teaching
• Tuition fees
• Accommodation
• All travel, both within Norway and abroad
• Access to all school facilities, including the gym, laundry facilities, and a private kitchen
• Four ready-made healthy meals per day

The only additional cost applies during international trips, where half board is included, and students cover some meals themselves. If you choose a room with a higher standard, an additional room fee applies.

Choose your Main Courses to see the all-inclusive price.

LINE 1

• EXPLORE
• ACT: Active Change Travel
• Ticket to Ride
• EAT: Exploring Amazing Tastes
• Ball Sports
• Horse Sport

LINE 2

• EXPLORE Sports
• Heart to Heart
• Nordic Adventures
• Adventure
• Handmade
• Snacks
• Football & Groundhopping
• Horse Sport
• Physical and Mental Training

OPTIONAL COURSES / ELECTIVES

These topics aim to give an introduction to subjects or areas that are new to you, or of which you wish to gain a deeper understanding.

Optional courses / Electives consists of approximately 6 hours of teaching per week. Elective subjects are chosen after the school year begins.

• Digital photography
• Snowboarding
• Boxing
• Guitar playing
• Crossfit
• Massage and injury prevention training
• Horse riding
• Ice fishing
• Drawing and painting
• Volleyball/ Beach volleyball
• Climbing
• Wilderness life
• Handcraft
• And many more…

Learn more about our Electives

COMPULSORY SUBJECTS

Some classes are obligatory for all students.

• Saturday seminars (4 hour pr week)
• Christianity and ethics (2 hour pr week)
• Coping with Life (2 hour pr week)
• Information from and about the school (1 hour pr week)
• School choir and music-listening (2 hour pr week)
• House service, House groups (1 hour pr week)

Learn more about our compulsory subjects

THE SCHOOL YEAR

The school year starts in the middel of August, and terminates in the middle of May. You can find exact dates here.

The School Year is compiled of an autumn and a spring semester, totaling 33 weeks of school attendance.

We have 5 holidays during the school year:

• Week 40 Autumn holiday 1
• Week 46 Autumn holiday 2
• Christmas holiday
• Week 8 Winter holiday
• Easter holiday

During school holidays, our international students can choose to travel home, stay with their new Norwegian friends, or remain at the boarding school.

No meals are served at school during holidays, but students can prepare their own food in the private kitchens at the boarding facilities. During the Christmas holidays, we dont want students living at the boarding school.

Dates for holidays can be found here.

GUIDANCE AND ASSESSMENT

Every student is also offered a personal guidance program.

The Norwegian folk high school does not give any exams. Grades are given only in conduct and participation, our focus is the personal growth and development of each individual.

AGE

You must be 18 years old before the start of the school year. Upper age limit is 25 years old.

The school’s educational program is designed for young adults in the transition to independent adult life (ages 18–25). We emphasize a social and developmental community where the age range influences the learning environment. Therefore, we have an upper age limit of 25. Most of our students are between 18 and 20 years old.

Testemonials

Every year we have up to 15 foreign students at our school from many different countries like:

• USA, Canada
• Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy, Iceland, Spain
• Japan, Australia
• Colombia
• And many more…

Our foreign students are very satisfied with a year at our school, and would love to share their experiences with you. We can therefore put you in direct contact with present or former students from your country, who can share first-hand knowledge of what it is like to attend Hurdal Verk folk high school.

Teams / Zoom-meeting

We can also arrange a video meeting on Teams, Google Meet, or Zoom with you, so you can meet us and ask any questions you may have. Or we can just chat on WhatsApp.

CONTACT US

Do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone if you have any questions

Email: post@hvf.no

Phone: +47 63 92 06 00

IMPORTANT: When you apply, you choose your Line 1 and Line 2, and simply add Norwegian for Foreigners as an extra option under Line 1, if you want Norwegian language training.