The Sjovik Folk High School

Sjovik is a beautiful place at the lake of Basingen, on the countryside, in the village Folkarna. It is situated in the community of Avesta in the south of the district Dalarna. When you travel by train from the Central station of Stockholm, the trip takes 1½ hours. Going by car it is 170 kilometer from the Center of Stockholm, going north.

Many different courses

The minimum age for admission to the long time courses in Sjovik Folk High School is 18 years. The short courses could admit younger ages. There are many courses to choose from, varying from a couple of days to several years.
The majority of students stay for at least one year (around 300 students).
Basic in the folk high schools is the general theoretical courses. They are suitable for those who have not completed their secondary education or for those who want to go on to further education. The course content covers a broad spectra of subjects, with social studies, language and science as the main fields. In addition to the general subjects the student may also choose an optional special course such as handicraft, music, sport, art & design.
The Sjovik Folk High School also offers quite a few special courses.

General theoretical course

•Length: 1-3 years
•Starts in the end of August
•Apply before first of June
suitable for those who have not completed their secondary education or for those who want to go on to further education. The course content covers a broad spectra of subjects, with social studies, language and science as the main fields. Humanistic -social science and science subjects. Education in English and mathematics is level grouped. Computer knowledge is included as an option. The courses can give basic qualification for university studies.

General theoretical course with profile

•Length: 1-3 years
•Starts in the end of August
•Apply before the first of June
In addition to the general subjects in the theoretical course, the student may choose an optional special course such as handicraft, music, art or textile.
Handicraft means that you take part of the education in building timbering houses or doing wood handicraft. Music as a profile gives you the opportunity to sing and play in a group as well as learn the basics of music (including note writing) in the music theory subject. Choire singing and individual lessons in instruments and singing is offered. Art includes painting, sculpturing and different creative methods in the art-class. Textile as profile gives the possibility to try out weaving, embroidery and sewing.

Guide's course in natural outdoor life

•Length: 1-2 years
•Course starts at the end of August
•Apply before the first of June
Outdoor-living on the conditions of natural environment, education to become a guide in this field. Outdoor experience is accumulated during several journeys. Creative ability is developed through canoe- and ski building, smithery, wood workmanship. Studies of eco philosophy, cultural history and pedagogy. The course addresses you who want to work with people and nature.

Create in textil

•Length: ½-1 year
•Course starts in the end of August
•Apply before the first of June
Textile creative work, weaving and sewing. All kinds of work with forming colour and shape. The students can choose to add theoretical subjects like religion, literature, English or psychology.

Musical course

•Length: 1-3 years
•Course starts in end of August
•Test of admission in May
Gives a broad basic education for later studies at a musical university. Could also be a music education to use in different fields, even if the aim is not higher education in music. Great importance is laid on the instrumental and musical theory subjects as well as on the practical playing and singing in ensembles, orchestras and choirs. The music course in Sjovik is specially concerned with folkmusic traditions.

Church work course

•Length: 1 year, part time, distance education
•Course starts in the end of August
•Apply before the 15th of April
Gives basic knowledge of the Church of Sweden's faith and life and prepares those who are going to work within the Church of Sweden. The course is offered in co-operation with the Vasteras diocese.

Timbering houses

•Length: 1-2 years
•Course starts in the end of August
•Apply before first of June
Education to become a building worker specialized on building and renovating timbering houses. Theoretical studies, but focus on advanced practical studies in production of new houses. The education is uniqe in the speciality of renovating timber houses.

Preparation for general theoretical course

•Length: 1-2 years
•Course starts in the end of August
•Apply before the first of June
A preparation course for students who wants to enter the general theoretical course. Subjects on an individual adjusted level are mixed with practical and esthetical subjects.

Theoretical basic course

•Length: 1-2 years
•Course starts in the end of August
•Apply before the first of May
Special education for slow learners and for socially handicapped youth.

Practical theoretical basic course

•Length: 1-2 years
•Course starts at the end of August
•Apply before the first of May
Special education for mentally handicapped. Practical, esthetical and theoretical subjects. The course is preceded by a two week summer course.

Courses in Stockholm

In Bromma in Stockholm the Sjovik Folk High School offers courses in the Betel Folk High School.
There is the possibility to take musical course, bible-studies and a special course for leadership in churches and Christian organisations called BroBygge.
More information: www.betel.st

Short courses

The variety of short courses, mostly during the summer, is large - music, art & design, handicraft, international issues and religious studies for young people are a few examples. The courses can be altered from year to year, often in cooperation with various organisations.

Boarding school

An important part in the Sjovik Folk High Schools is the boarding element. Studying and living at a school creates a sense of community, gives possibilities of close companionship and the chance to exchange views during free time. Around 100 students (out of total 300) stay at the boarding in Sjovik.
The school offers cultural activities (e.g. concerts, theatre, films) and outdoors pursuits (e.g. team sports and athletics) alongside the studies.
The Sjovik Folk High School has a place in the mountains with cottages to stay in. It is named Nysatersvallen and it is very popular for the students to go there in groups to stay for a few days and live outdoor-life.

The Folk High School is a part of the Swedish “folkbildning”
Folkbildning is about liberal adult education; non-formal and voluntary.
Folkbildning´s philosophy presumes that all citizens are free and independent individuals, with the right to participate in all aspects of a democratic society. The activities should provide a comprehensive approach, stimulate curiosity and critical thinking; as well as be a part of the crucial process of lifelong learning. Folkbildning creates the conditions necessary for people to freely pursue knowledge and contributes towards giving them the opportunity to change their lives. Folkbildning in Sweden is organised through Study Associations and Folk High Schools.

History

The history of folkbildning stretches back to the turn of the last century. Political and social revolutions in Europe made people realise that they could truly influence their own future. But if the people were going to have increased power, they would also have to obtain knowledge and education. There were elementary schools of course, but there was also much dissatisfaction regarding the educational activities they offered ordinary people. The growing popular movements no longer accepted that the upper classes should make all decisions concerning cultural life or what was taught in schools.
The first Folk High Schools in Sweden were established in 1868 and today there are 147 schools in the country. Despite being separate, Folk High Schools are now a popular, important and established part of the Swedish education system. 103 of the schools are run by various popular movements, organisations and associations (NGO´s), whilst the remaining 44 are run by county councils or regions.
The Sjovik Folk High School was started 1921 by the Swedish Baptist Union and this organization is still the head of the school.

Aim and ideology

A characteristic feature of the Swedish Folk High Schools is, among other things, their freedom to develop the content and direction of their own courses. This means that they diverge from ordinary schools in many ways. There is no centrally established, standard curriculum for the Folk High Schools, each school makes its own decisions regarding teaching plans within the limits set by a special ordinance.
Folk High Schools offer a unique opportunity to enhance each individual's human resources. The students´experiences of working life and society are put to use, and their contribution is very vital. The schools constitute small, educational societies where each individual makes a difference. Studying in a warm and open environment, working closely with other students and staff stimulates personal growth and development. The traditional freedom of the Folk High School has led to ample experimentation and educational innovation. Problem orientated and thematic studies for longer or shorter periods are quite common.
The overall object of the Swedish Folk High School is to give general civic education. Each year about 30 000 students take part in the long courses. The Folk High Schools receive financial support from the state. A certain interest has been directed towards groups with special educational needs, e.g. people with short basic education, people with various disabilities and immigrants and the unemployed.
The minimum age for admission to the general courses is 18 years. There is no upper age limit.

General requirements for higher education

General courses at the Folk High Schools have been ascribed a specific rate of qualification by the state, without a centrally established curriculum being required on that account. On certain conditions courses at folk high schools may be equated, for example, with the upper level of the comprehensive school or with the upper secondary school, which means that these latter courses may qualify for higher education at university. 

BASIC ELIGIBILITY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION ATTAINED AT FOLK HIGH SCHOOL

A person who has completed a 1, 2 or 3-year course (1) of studies at Folk High School and who has achieved results corresponding to a Pass in the core subject courses at upper secondary school (2) shall be deemed to have basic eligibility for higher education. The length of the studies required depends on the extent of the student’s previous studies and work experience. (Certificate Eligibility for Higher Education)
1) The basic eligibility may be achieved by
• three years of study at Folk High School; or
• two years of study at Folk High School as a supplement to at least one year of study at upper secondary school level, or compulsory school and at least one year’s work experience; or
• one year study at Folk High School as a supplement to at least two years of study at upper secondary school level.
Each academic year comprises at least 30 weeks of full-time study.
2) The core subjects taught at upper secondary school are:
•Swedish A+B (alt. Swedish as a second language A+B)
•Civics A
•Science studies A
•English A
•Religion A
•Mathematics A

STUDY ASSESSMENT
Students who so wish may be given an overall assessment of their aptitude for studies. This assessment is an appraisal of the student’s scholastic capabilities as a whole and is based on the assessments of all the teaching staff. Scholastic aptitude assessments are given only for those study courses which the school considers to be relevant.
The following grades are used:
• Excellent study aptitude
• Very good study aptitude
• Good study aptitude
• Poor study aptitude
The following factors are taken into account when making the assessment:
•Knowledge and skills and development of these
•Capacity for analysis, processing and overview
•Ambition, endurance and capacity to organise studies
•Social skills

To assist the determination of the assessment the Swedish National Council of Adult Education has approved special guidelines. The guidelines specify the criteria applicable for the assessment 'Excellent study aptitude'. The average of the study assessments set by the school during an academic year shall lie within the interval 2.7 plus/minus 5%. The average is computed on the basis of the numerical values stated above for the respective steps in the scale.

SPECIAL ELIGIBILITY GIVEN AT FOLK HIGH SCHOOL
Any person having completed a course of studies at Folk High School who has achieved results corresponding to a Pass in subjects at upper secondary school shall be deemed to have special eligibility for higher education.

Tuition free of charge/How to enrole

All tuition is free of charge. Board and lodging costs about 3 500 SEK per month and students (Swedish students and non-Swedish nationals who have been living in Sweden for some years) can apply for a grant from the government to cover part of the costs. Most courses start at the end of August or beginning of September, but some might start also in January.
You can order application forms from the Sjovik Folk High School.

Rules for visiting students

If you intend to study in Sweden, you will need a residence permit. Permits are issued by the Swedish Immigration Board, and must be granted before you come to Sweden. If you are a citizen of the EU/EEA member states you may apply for a residence permit in Sweden. The nearest Swedish embassy or consulate can give you further information. In order to apply for a residence permit for studies at the Sjovik Folk High School, you must have been accepted to a program of studies and demonstrate that you have sufficient means to support yourself during the entire period of study.