Compare International Schools in Finnsnes, Norway

Instructs in English, Norwegian

Pupils 670

Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)

Senja videregående skole operates on two campuses, Finnfjordbotn and Gibostad. It offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) alongside a Bespoke Curriculum. The IB DP is for the final two years of upper secondary (ages 17–19). Authorized in 2007, it was the northernmost IB World School at that time. All subjects are taught in English and students study six courses with a core that includes Theory of Knowledge, critical thinking, active citizenship and research. The Finnfjordbotn campus delivers Studiespesialisering, transport and logistics, ambulance services, restaurant and food studies, and service and transport; Gibostad offers blue and green tracks in natural resources. The school provides Erasmus+ international experiences, including a France trip with host families and visits to Metz, Strasbourg and the EU Parliament. Student life includes Elevrådet for leadership and Ungdomsbedrift (UB) for entrepreneurship. A VG1 specialization, Friluftsliv og skogbruk, focuses on outdoor life and forestry.

Location

Senja videregående skole operates on two campuses on Senja: Finnfjordbotn and Gibostad. The Finnfjordbotn campus is located at Løksebakken 55, 9308 Finnsnes; the Gibostad campus is Gisundveien 9, 9372 Gibostad. The school is part of Troms County (Troms fylke) and serves the Senja region.

Stages

Offers upper secondary programs including General Studies (Studiespesialisering), Natural Resources and Agriculture (Naturbruk), Restaurant and Food Studies (Restaurant- og matfag), Sales, Service and Tourism (Salg, service og reiseliv), Technology and Industrial Studies (Teknologi- og industrifag), the International Baccalaureate, Ambulance Services (Ambulansefag), an Advanced Programme for General University Admission Qualifications (Påbygg til generell studiekompetanse), Introductory Class (Innføringsklasse), Adult Education (Voksenopplæringen), and Further Education (Mer opplæring).

School day structure

Oppmøte Finnfjordbotn: 08:00 meets for Innføringsklasser (Introductory Class) and Vg1 in the library; 09:00 for Vg2; 10:00 for Vg3. Oppmøte Gibostad: 08:30 for all.

Application fees

- There is no application fee for ordinary admission to the school for full-time students.
- Private candidates (privatister) who register for exams must pay an exam/registration fee; this exam fee is normally non‑refundable.

Tuition fees by year group (VG1, VG2, VG3)

- VG1: NOK 0 per year (no tuition charge).
- VG2: NOK 0 per year (no tuition charge).
- VG3: NOK 0 per year (no tuition charge).

Boarding and hybel (room & board) fees

- Internat (Finnfjordbotn):
- Husleie (rent) per month: NOK 3,350.
- Kostpenger (meals) per month: NOK 3,350.
- Sum per month: NOK 6,700.
- Husleie for hele skoleåret: NOK 33,500 (3,350 per month).
- Kostpenger for hele skoleåret: NOK 33,500 (3,350 per month).
- Total internat (husleie + kost) per school year: NOK 67,000 (when both components apply).

- Hybelhus (Gibostad):
- Husleie per month: NOK 3,350.
- Kostpenger per month: NOK 0 (meals not included for hybelhus).
- Sum per month: NOK 3,350.
- Husleie for whole school year: NOK 33,500 (3,350 per month).

Billing schedule and payment terms (boarding/hybel)

- Housing and catering charges are invoiced over 10 terms: first payment due mid‑September, final payment due mid‑June (10 monthly instalments). Invoices for housing/catering are sent as e‑faktura at the beginning of each month. Failure to pay on time can lead to loss of internat/hybel place and use of debt collection procedures.

Refunds and absence adjustment (internat/catering)

- If a resident is absent for three or more consecutive days for reasons such as illness or approved placements, a deduction to the catering charge may be applied at NOK 145 per absent day. Notification to internat staff and a written refund application are required; no catering refunds are given for the last 14 days before school ends. There is no refund for days of absence without valid reason.

Other costs and regular incidental fees

- Locker rental deposit: NOK 100.
- Replacement school ID / adgangskort: first issue is free; replacement costs NOK 100 for ordinary mifare card or NOK 150 for mifare + magnet.
- Key / access device replacement (internat/hybel): Finnfjordbotn access‑brikke replacement NOK 210; Gibostad new hybel key NOK 1,250 and tap of key‑brikke NOK 210.
- Learning materials: necessary printed and digital learning materials are provided to pupils without charge.
- Private/exam candidate fees: privatist/exam registration requires payment of an exam fee; the exam fee is normally non‑refundable. Exact private‑exam fees may vary by exam and registration period.

Fee refund and chargebacks (summary)

- Catering (internat) absence deductions: NOK 145 per qualifying absent day (apply on return and notify staff; no refund last 14 days before term end).
- Exam registration fees for private candidates are normally non‑refundable.

Fee payment options and invoicing methods

- Housing and catering invoices are issued as e‑faktura at the start of each month; the school/fylkeskommune uses electronic invoicing procedures for billing. Unpaid invoices may be referred to an external debt‑collection agency.

Contact for billing questions

- The school administration handles billing questions for housing/hybel (administration phone number given on school contact pages). In cases of supplier invoicing, the county follows standard electronic invoice (EHF/Peppol) rules.

Boarding Arrangements

Hybelhus on Gibostad provides student housing.

Food Options

Two canteens operate on Finnfjordbotn and Gibostad. Opening hours: Finnfjordbotn 08:45–14:00 (closed 12:00–12:30); Gibostad 08:00–14:00 on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 08:00–13:00 on Tuesday and Friday. The canteens use modern self-service and cashless payment; pizza is popular. Porridge is served every morning and is free of charge.

Governance and Ownership

Owned and operated by Troms og Finnmark fylkeskommune (the county municipality) and operates across two campuses: Finnfjordbotn and Gibostad.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The school promotes a safe and supportive environment focused on diversity, mastery, and community. Students can report safety concerns about themselves or others. All staff have a duty to contribute to a positive school climate and to intervene to stop harassment. The principal develops a plan to ensure a safe school environment. If needed, concerns can be escalated to the anti-bullying ombudsperson (Mobbeombudet) in Troms county or to the Statsforvalteren in Troms og Finnmark.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The school offers an Innføringsklasse for minority-language students to strengthen Norwegian language and subject knowledge before VG1. The program lasts one school year with 980 annual hours (about 30 hours per week). English is taught as part of the program, alongside Norwegian language instruction and orientation about the education system. A-Fag introduces students to vocational subjects and helps them become familiar with the Norwegian education system by observing in regular classes. The program prepares students for admission to VG1 and is counted as Year 0.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

All subjects in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme are taught in English. The IB Diploma focuses on thinking skills, communication, social skills, and research in a two-year cycle, with a mentor teacher guiding students through the process. The Diploma is recognized by universities worldwide.

Mental Wellbeing

The school maintains a safe and supportive environment. Students can report if they or others feel unsafe or unwell. Staff are required to intervene to maintain a positive climate and protect students. The principal creates a plan to ensure safety. External contacts include the anti-bullying ombudsperson (Mobbeombudet) and the Statsforvalteren if needed.

Safeguarding

The school safeguards students by ensuring a safe environment; all staff contribute to safeguarding; concerns can be reported to a teacher or the principal. The principal implements protective measures, and if necessary, reports can be escalated to Mobbeombudet in Troms county or to Statsforvalteren. The Education Act §9a governs requirements for the students' school environment.

Admissions

1. March is the deadline to apply for a place at upper secondary school or to apply for an apprenticeship. 2. February is the deadline to apply for priority rights, individual assessment, as a minority language applicant, or as an apprentice candidate. 3. Applications are submitted via Vigo (vigo.no), and you will be directed to the county's site for additional information. 4. The intake calendar lists important dates for admissions; guest students from other counties may be offered a place if capacity exists. If offered, you are a guest student in the host county, but your home county remains responsible for your right to education. 5. Most studies require general study competence; check deadlines and requirements on samordnaopptak.no for general admissions information. 6. The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is taught in English and is internationally recognized; you can apply to the IB Diploma Programme after VG1 study-preparatory or at age 17 for foreign education. 7. The IB application process and related documents are available through the school's IB pages and links to samordna opptak; the IB diploma provides access to universities worldwide. 8. Påbygg til generell studiekompetanse (top-up to general university admission) is available after completing VG2 vocational studies; PB3 is for those finishing VG2, PB4 for those with a vocational certificate; PB4 has two fewer required subjects. 9. Innføringsklasse (Introductory Class) is a preparatory course for minority-language students to strengthen Norwegian and core academic knowledge; it lasts one school year (980 hours) with Norwegian as the main focus, and admission is via Vigo with a specific program code; if you lack a Norwegian personal number, you submit attachments first and later follow Vigo's process. 10. Admission paths and prerequisites vary by program (e.g., Ambulansefag requires VG1 health and welfare education or equivalent); always review program-specific pages for requirements and next steps. 11. For all admission questions, contact the school administration or the county admissions office as indicated on the Inntak (Admissions) pages.

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Compare International Schools in Finnsnes, Norway

Location

Stages

School day structure

Boarding Arrangements

Food Options

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Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Mental Wellbeing

Safeguarding

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