Sønderborg Sports Folk High School - IHS - is a folk high school in Denmark with a strong focus on sports, personal development and life in a close-knit community.

A stay at IHS is not a traditional education with exams or grades. Instead, you create your own schedule, try new subjects, challenge yourself and become part of everyday life with students from Denmark and other countries.

Most students are young adults taking a break before, between or after their studies.

Create your own schedule

At IHS, you choose from a wide range of sports, general education and creative subjects.

You can spend time on something you already love or use your stay to try something completely new.

Sports subjects may include:

• Sailing
• Adventure
• Beach volleyball
• Kitesurfing and windsurfing
• Swimming
• Racket sports
• Volleyball
• Handball
• Football
• Yoga
• Fitness and strength training

You can also choose subjects that focus on areas such as personal development, society, culture, music, outdoor life and creativity.

The exact selection of subjects varies between semesters and periods.

Life at IHS

Living at IHS is a big part of the experience.

You live at the school together with the other students and normally share a room with another student. Meals, teaching and accommodation are included in your stay.

Outside classes, the school is still full of life. Students train, spend time together, relax, make music, go into town or use the school’s facilities.

Weekends normally have no scheduled classes, giving you time to spend with friends, explore Sønderborg and the surrounding area or simply relax.

Sports facilities, sea and forest

IHS is located in Sønderborg in Southern Denmark, only around 100 metres from the sea and close to both forest and the town centre.

The school has a wide range of indoor and outdoor facilities, including a swimming pool, sports halls, climbing facilities, strength and functional training areas, beach volleyball courts, football pitches and outdoor activity areas.

The location by the sea also gives us excellent opportunities for activities such as sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and other water sports.

Travel as part of your stay

Travel is an important part of a semester at IHS.

Depending on the semester and the choices you make, your stay may include trips such as skiing in the Alps, a trip to Crete or an optional trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar.

Travel destinations and options vary from semester to semester.

Spring and autumn semesters

We welcome new students twice a year.

Spring semester

The spring stay lasts approximately 24 weeks and is divided into two periods.

The first period has a stronger focus on indoor activities and includes the school’s ski trip to the Alps.

The second period has a stronger focus on outdoor activities and includes a choice of travel experience.

Autumn semester

The autumn stay begins in August and is divided into an outdoor and an indoor period.

The first period includes a trip to Crete. It is also possible to extend the stay with an optional trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar.

Exact dates, duration and travel options can vary, so please check the current semester information before applying.

Language at IHS

Daily life at IHS is mainly in Danish, as most students are Danish.

International students are an important part of the school, and we do our best to make sure everyone feels included in both classes and everyday life.

When there is a sufficiently large group of international students, some classes may be offered in English.

You do not need to understand everything from day one. Being curious, taking part and being willing to communicate are an important part of the experience.

Practical information

Your stay includes:

• accommodation
• meals
• teaching
• access to the school’s facilities

Additional costs may apply to travel, selected subjects and other activities.

For current prices, semester dates and application information, please see the relevant pages on our website.

Want to experience IHS?

A stay at IHS is a chance to spend several months with sports, new experiences, new people and a very different kind of everyday life.

Explore the rest of our website for more information about subjects, travel, prices and life at IHS.

The community is important

Community plays a central role at the sports folk high school.
It is important that the individual student can express
themselves and be part of a community.

Personal development

The school challenges students' skills in a playful and experimental way and focuses on personal development.