doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
S

Senja Videregaende Skole

Norway, Finnsnes

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · Chief Marketing Officer

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Norwegian
Fees Fees not listed
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 670
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1914
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages Norwegian, English, Spanish, German
Strengths Outdoor Education, Languages, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

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.

Finnfjordbotn campus (visiting address): Løksebakken 55, 9308 Finnsnes; Gibostad campus (visiting address): Gisundveien 9, 9372 Gibostad

The Essentials

Senja Videregaende Skole has 670 pupils, instruction in English, Norwegian.

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.
Diving Deeper

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.
Fees
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.
Academics

Senja Videregaende Skole teaches IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum.

Curriculum
The school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP). The programme is for the last two years of upper secondary (ages 17–19) and the school was authorized as an IB World School in 2007, making it the northernmost IB World School at the time. All subjects are taught in English and students study six academic subjects. The programme emphasizes in‑depth learning and includes a core that covers critical thinking, active citizenship, and research. The IB curriculum is recognized by universities worldwide. The school fosters diversity and intercultural learning within the IB environment.
Wellbeing

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.
Parent Experience

History
Senja videregående skole was formed by merging the two former upper secondary schools Finnfjordbotn and Senja. In 2012, the county council selected Senja videregående skole as the unified name for the two former institutions. The school operates across two campuses, Finnfjordbotn and Gibostad. The Finnfjordbotn campus offers programmes including studiespesialisering (general studies), transport and logistics, ambulance services, restaurant and food studies, and service and transport. The Gibostad campus offers blue and green tracks in natural resources.

Community
The school's value system is Diversity, Mastery, and Togetherness. The school operates across two campuses, Finnfjordbotn and Gibostad, to serve the Senja region. The school maintains an online presence with updates on its site and social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube). The campus locations are Finnfjordbotn, Løksebakken 55, 9308 Finnsnes, and Gibostad, Gisundveien 9, 9372 Gibostad.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Senja videregående skole operates across two campuses: Finnfjordbotn and Gibostad. The Finnfjordbotn campus is located at Løksebakken 55, 9308 Finnsnes, and the Gibostad campus is Gisundveien 9, 9372 Gibostad. The school provides a service desk with separate contact numbers for each campus and weekday opening hours from 08:00 to 15:45. Both campuses host teaching facilities and student services to support studies. The school offers a range of study programs including Studiespesialisering, Naturbruk, Restaurant- og matfag, Salg, service og reiseliv, Teknologi- og industrifag, and the International Baccalaureate programme.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, replacing the final two years of the Norwegian studies. The Diploma Programme focuses on developing thinking, communication, social and research skills, with Theory of Knowledge as a core component. All subjects are taught in English and follow internationally recognized IB syllabi. The IB Diploma is valued and recognized by universities worldwide, and in Norway it is equal to the Norwegian vitnemål when applying to universities.

Cultural & Language
The school provides Erasmus+ international experiences that foster cross-cultural learning. A France trip described in Erasmus-related material included staying with host families and cultural exchanges, with visits to Metz and Strasbourg and the EU Parliament, enriching students' understanding of European culture.

Leadership & Professional
Elevrådet provides student leadership opportunities. Elections usually occur by mid-September, and representatives receive one day of training before constitution. Elevråd contacts are Lina Richardsen (Gibostad) and Ceila Tande (Finnfjordbotn). Ungdomsbedrift (UB) is part of Yrkesfaglig fordypning and teaches students to start, run and wind up a business with peers, with opportunities to win prizes at Ungt Entreprenørskap.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Naturbruk offers Friluftsliv og skogbruk as a VG1 specialization focusing on outdoor life and forestry. Much of the learning is practical and outdoors, with year-round activities; nature around Senja invites many opportunities, including small-game hunting during the year.
Languages

Language Provision
Norwegian as a foreign language, English, German, Spanish, French and Russian are taught. In the IB, English A Language and Literature, English B, Norwegian B and Russian Ab Initio are offered. Language development is a formal focus across subjects, with all teachers responsible for language progression. The school emphasizes using language as a tool for intercultural communication and assessment.

Bilingual Teaching
All subjects are taught in English. The Diploma Programme follows IB syllabi recognized by universities worldwide. The program emphasizes critical thinking, active citizenship and research in an intercultural learning environment. The pedagogical platform MMS emphasizes Diversity, Excellence and Unity in a global setting.

Immersion Programs
Senja vgs offers an immersion-style study trip to Murmansk, Russia where English serves as the lingua franca and students are encouraged to use multiple languages. The trip exposes students to cross-cultural communication and real-world language use. Due to current circumstances, this project may be conducted online.
Admissions

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.
School Events
The school has not added events
Search for more schools
Search schools in Norway View all schools in Finnsnes View all schools in Norway IB curriculum schools in Norway Open days & tours in Finnsnes What is the IB curriculum? View all schools Search all schools