Question 1

What is a Danish Folk high school?

Accepted Answer

A Danish folk high school is an adult boarding school, so you sleep, eat, study and spend your spare time at the school. There are no academic requirements for admittance, and there are no exams – but you will get a diploma as a proof of your attendance.
As a student at Silkeborg Højskole you will experience 24/7 concentrated unfolding of life while exploring the subjects you are passionate about.

Question 2

How much does a semester at Silkeborg Højskole cost?

Accepted Answer

Admission fee: DKK 2.000 (non-refundable)
School fee:
Cost per week DKK 2,110 (24 weeks in spring 2026)
Cost per week DKK 2,110 (18 weeks in autumn 2026)
Cost per week DKK 2,200 (24 weekd in spring 2027)
Materials: DKK 2,000
Room and key deposit: DKK 500 (refundable)
Study trip: Cost varies between destinations
More information on prices and what is included in tuition here.

Question 3

How do I apply to be a student?

Accepted Answer

We encourage you to call us or email us if you have any specific questions after having looked through our website. When you are ready to apply, please sign up here.
As part of your application we kindly ask you to send us a short video presentation. Please, present your thoughts on attending Silkeborg Højskole e.g.; What are your expectations? What are your goals? What would you like to learn? We would also like to hear about your educational background, hobbies, and any volunteer work you may have done. Most importantly, just speak freely and without a script.
We might ask for a skype interview. In that case additional information will follow.
Once we have seen your presentation, we will contact you and inform you whether we can admit you to our school.
Our school secretary will subsequently email you an official confirmation of your admission along with a payment overview. She will also explain the next steps regarding applying for the appropriate type of residence permit.

Question 4

How many International students attend silkeborg højskole?

Accepted Answer

Approx. 10% of our students come from various countries around the world.
The majority of students are between the age of 19 and 26.

Question 5

How can I get in contact with the office?

Accepted Answer

Please contact us by email at info@silkeborghojskole.dk or give us a call at + 45 8682 2933.
Office hours are 8:30am to 3.30pm CEST Monday through Friday.

Question 6

What kind of Danish Folk High School is Silkeborg?

Accepted Answer

Silkeborg Højskole adheres to the concept of “non-formal adult education” associated with N.F.S. Grundtvig, a Danish philosopher, poet, educational thinker and clergyman, (born in 1783 – died in 1872), and his thoughts concerning free educational opportunities. The concept arose in the 19th century and is one of the cornerstones of the Danish educational system.
The Danish Ministry of Children and Education offer an in-depth explanation of non-formal adult education.
Learn more about who we are.

Question 7

What is the process for admission and visas?

Accepted Answer

Depending on your country of origin, different procedures, rules and document requirements apply for residing in Denmark.
When you want to attend a folk high school in Denmark, there are three types of residence permits you need to be aware of:
1) ST1 residence permit – long stay
2) OD1 EU residence
3) WH1 Working holiday visa
a) Australia, Canada, New Zealand or South Korea
b) Japan.
When you sign up through our website our school secretary will take you through the steps of admission and suggest which type of visa is applicable in your case.

Question 8

When should I start the application process?

Accepted Answer

If you are applying for a residence permit long stay (ST1) or a working holiday visa (WH1), we recommend that you apply before September 1st for a spring term, or April 1st for an autumn term. After these deadlines please contact the office.
If you are an EU resident we receive applications on an ongoing basis.

Question 9

Do I need health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you will need to take out health insurance to cover you in case of illness during the first approx. 10 weeks of your stay in Denmark. When you have received your residence permit, you will need to register at the city council in Silkeborg, where you will get a CPR number (a personal identity number in Denmark). Afterwards, a health insurance card (the yellow card) will be issued, and you will be covered by Danish health insurance.
Silkeborg Højskole has taken out collective accident insurance that covers you in the event of an accident that may occur during teaching or participation in activities organised by the folk high school. However, we recommend that you take out your own leisure-time accident insurance.
You must take out liability insurance to be covered in cases where you accidentally cause damage to others.
For private contents (camera, computer, mobile phone, clothes, etc.) that you bring to the folk high school, you must also make sure that you are covered in case of e.g. theft, water damage or fire.

Question 10

Do I need travel insurance when going on a study trip?

Accepted Answer

When traveling with Silkeborg Højskole outside the borders of Denmark, you are covered by our agreement with Europæiske travel insurance.
The travel insurance covers:
Treatment in the event of illness (medical treatment for personal injury, medication and hospital stays)
Repatriation
Patient escort/summoning in the event of serious injury
Recall to Denmark in the event of an acute illness, serious injury or death in the immediate family
Personal security (emergency assistance)
Private liability (personal injury, property damage and legal aid).
The travel insurance does not cover: luggage or compensation in the event of injury after assault, disability or death.

Question 11

Are materials included in the cost of a semester?

Accepted Answer

Included in your payment to the school are 1800 DKK to cover starting materials, entrance fees, excursions, etc. If you have chosen Ceramics for your main subject there is an additional 1,000 DKK for materials.
Additionally, you will receive a højskole songbook, a t-shirt, a study card, a semester picture and a SH Students Association (SHE) membership.

Frequently asked Questions

Attending Silkeborg Højskole

What is a Danish Folk high school?

How much does a semester at Silkeborg Højskole cost?

How do I apply to be a student?

How many International students attend silkeborg højskole?

How can I get in contact with the office?

What kind of Danish Folk High School is Silkeborg?

What is the process for admission and visas?

When should I start the application process?

Do I need health insurance?

Do I need travel insurance when going on a study trip?

Are materials included in the cost of a semester?

Being a student at Silkeborg Højskole

What is it like to be a student at Silkeborg Højskole?

Do I need Danish skills to become a student?

When do I sign up for classes?

How many students attend per semester?

It is possible to see a Doctor or a Dentist?

What is student accommodation like?

Do I need to bring my own bedding?

Do the students have parties?

Should I bring something from my home country?

What is the teaching language?

Will I learn Danish at Silkeborg Højskole?

Are there any exams or grades at Silkeborg Højskole?

What are your House Rules?

How do meals work at the school?

Is it possible to do laundry at the school?

How much pocket money do I need?

What should I bring with me?

How do I get to Silkeborg Højskole?

Denmark – practical information

Currency

Public Transportation

Danish phone number

Exploring Denmark

Language

Energy Voltage

Silkeborg as your new Home

Do you plan to stay in Denmark?