Where is VNF?
VNF is in Karjaa (Karis) in Raasepori (Raseborg), a town well-connected to all regions of Finland by rail and road, on the Helsinki (Helsingfors) - Turku (Åbo) railway line, about 75 km from Helsinki and 120 km from Turku

What about VNF's size and resources?
VNF is a very big folk high school. This school year (2011–2012) we have nearly 200 students, which is one of the largest enrolments out of eighty-nine comparable colleges in Finland. Among the Finland-Swedish folk high schools we are incomparably the largest. And we offer the largest number of programmes and courses

What is the environment of VNF like?
VNF is situated in a park on the banks of the Svartå river (Mustionjoki), close to the town centre. The college buildings were built in the late 1970s, with extensions added in the 1980s and 1990s. A new dance studio and the wing for art studios were ready in the spring of 2010.

What is VNF's profile like?
VNF is an independent, Finland-Swedish folk high school, maintained by a group of local authorities. Dynamic in outlook, it endeavours to raise the students' level of general education, it provides specialized courses, it promotes further study and supports a positive overall personality development, including social competence.

When does the academic year begin and end in 2012–2013?
Autumn Term: 27th August–14th December, 2012.
Spring Term: 7th January–17th May, 2013.
The academic year comprises 34 weeks.

What about board and lodging at VNF?
VNF is a residential college with accommodation for 160 students in halls of residence in the college grounds. Students live in two- and three-room flats. Normally two students share a room but single rooms may be available at an extra charge. Each flat has a communal kitchen and a shower/bathroom. Meals are served in the college dining room Monday to Friday.

Is there internet access in the halls of residence?
Yes, the students' flats have internet connection. The charge is 40 €/term. Laptops are available for renting at 35 €/month (internet charge included).

How and when do you apply for a whole year programme at VNF?
Direct Application: 11th June and 6th August 2012.
You may apply to programmes at VNF directly by sending in the completed application form. You may also order our brochure that includes an application form by e-mailing: info@vnf.fi. If you want to be included in our quota admissions system, i. e. if you want to have your place guaranteed in June, you should send in your application not later than 11th June. Applications after this date should be posted not later than 6th August, which is the application deadline for the a academic year 2012–2013. Successful applicants will be notified by post.

Are there admissions interviews and tests at VNF?
Yes, there are. Entrants to several of the art programmes (e.g. Photography, Dance and Drama) are selected on the basis of interviews and tests. Students who submit their applications by 11th June are called for interview on Monday, 14th June, or Tuesday, 15th June (which day depends on the number of applicants). Students who send in their applications later, before the deadline (6th August), are called for interview/test on Wednesday, 8th August, or on Thursday, 9th August (which day depends on the number of applicants). Note that the interviews take place on the days immediately following the deadlines (11th June and 6th August), and we shall therefore need to have your application in good time to be able to notify you about the interview/test by post. Without an interview/test you will be able to compete for a place only if there are cancellations.

Students are admitted to other programmes largely on the basis of their academic merits.

What are the age requirements and what is the age range at VNF?
The current legislation enacted on 1st January 1999 contains no age requirements for students at folk high schools. Since the majority of the students at VNF have matriculated, their average age is 20. We also welcome mature students.

What basic education is required for admission?
You may apply to the programmes Web Design and Advertising, if you have completed your basic education. The majority of the students on these programmes have matriculated.

What are the fees like at VNF?
105 €/week includes tuition, meals and lodging for students who live in shared rooms in the halls of residence.
65 €/week includes tuition, lunch and a light afternoon meal for students who live at home.

The college has a limited number of single rooms, for which an extra fee of 25 €/week is payable. Prices abow do not include fees for possible textbooks or materials. Please note that several of the art programmes have separate material fees. For particulars ask for information at info@vnf.fi. Students may take part in short courses at a reduced rate. Study visits abroad are subsidized to some extent by VNF.

VNF reserves the right to make changes.