Askov Højskole

What Askov Højskole does

Askov Højskole is a private Danish folk high school (folkehøjskole) founded in 1865, located in Askov, Vejen municipality, southern Jutland. It operates on the Grundtvig-Kold educational philosophy: no exams, no grades, and an emphasis on life enlightenment (livsoplysning), democratic citizenship, and communal living. The school runs residential programs of 14-24 weeks in two annual semesters (Spring and Autumn), organized around five main subject tracks — Ceramics, Media Production, Literature, Nature and People, and Danish Language and Culture — supplemented by more than 30 elective courses and shared subjects including morning assemblies and communal singing. All-inclusive tuition (approximately 2,000-2,600 DKK per week) covers accommodation, meals, instruction, materials, and included study trips to destinations such as the Faroe Islands and Dresden/Berlin.

The business model is multi-streamed: primary revenue comes from student tuition, supplemented by public funding (as an 'almennyttig' non-profit), donations (minimum 100 donations of 200 DKK annually required for VAT compensation status), and venue rental (Lokaleudlejning) of its 275 beds, banquet hall, and lecture halls during off-semester periods. Additionally, the school offers short courses (Ugekurser), a 4-week exam-preparatory journalism course (over 90% of participants are admitted to journalism programs at DMJX and SDU), public lectures and concerts, and the newly launched UDSYN literature festival. The school employs 11-50 staff including teachers, administrative personnel, a kitchen team, and operations staff, and is governed by a board (styrelsen) and representative council (repræsentantskab). It holds UNESCO Verdensmålsskole certification and bronze-level organic food certification.

The institution serves primarily young adults aged 18-30 (Danish and international) seeking personal development, creative skills, career exploration, or a gap year experience, with secondary segments including international students learning Danish, aspiring journalists, and university students taking study breaks (Pitstop discount). Notable assets include one of Denmark's largest private library collections (50,000+ volumes), an extensive campus with park grounds, and a 160-year institutional heritage with famous historical alumni.

Name

Askov Højskole

Legal name

Askov Højskole

Website

https://askov-hojskole.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1865

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Askov Højskole is a private Danish folk high school founded in 1865, offering 14-24 week residential programs in creative arts, literature, media, nature, and Danish language to young adults aged 18-30, including international students, with supplementary short courses, venue rental, and the UDSYN literature festival.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Residential Education (Folk High School)

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Language Schools (61163)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Language Immersion Programs & Camps (Local/Seasonal) (EDAMAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Overseas Summer School Programs (Secondary) (EDAIAHAC)

Keywords

• Folk high school
• Adult residential education
• Creative arts education
• Danish language immersion
• Journalism exam preparation

Headquarters

HQ city

Vejen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Course Fees: Students pay weekly fees for full-board accommodation, meals, instruction, materials, and included study trips. Pricing varies by semester length and season. 24-week spring semester (2027): 48,000 DKK total including trip to Faroe Islands. 18-week autumn semester (2027): 36,000 DKK including trip to Dresden. 14-week courses: approximately 29,400-30,800 DKK.
2. Venue Rental: Conference and course facilities are rented to external organizations when school is not in session. Provides meeting rooms, banquet hall (330 capacity), lecture hall (110 seats), and Tower Hall (120 capacity) at folk high school prices.
3. Public Funding and Donations: As a non-profit institution (almennyttig), the school receives public funding and must collect minimum 100 donations of 200 DKK annually to maintain VAT compensation status. Annual fundraising campaigns support facility improvements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Askov Højskole is a private Danish folk high school offering residential adult education programs of 14-24 weeks. Core offerings include five main subject tracks (Keramik, Medieproduktion, Litteratur, Natur og Mennesker, Dansk Sprog og Kultur), a 4-week journalism exam preparation course, week-long short courses, public events and lectures, the annual UDSYN literature festival, and venue rental services. Programs are all-inclusive covering accommodation, meals, instruction, materials, and study trips.

Product overview

Askov Højskole is a residential folk high school (folk high school) offering semester-long educational programs lasting 14-24 weeks, along with short courses and public events. The core offering consists of five main subject tracks (linjefag): Keramik (Ceramics), Medieproduktion (Media Production), Litteratur (Literature), Natur og Mennesker (Nature and People), and Dansk Sprog og Kultur (Danish Language and Culture), supplemented by over 30 elective courses (Valgfag) and shared subjects (Fællesfag). The institution also offers specialized programs including a four-week exam-preparatory journalism course, short week-long courses (Ugekurser), public lectures and concerts (Begivenheder), an annual literature festival (UDSYN), and facility rental services. Programs include full-board accommodation, field trips, and travel experiences (e.g., to Dresden/Berlin or the Faroe Islands). The school operates as a UNESCO Verdensmålsskole with a Grundtvig-koldsk educational philosophy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Keramik (Ceramics) Main subject track covering ceramics and pottery techniques including wheel throwing, hand-building, glazing, and Raku firing, with access to a dedicated workshop, pottery wheels, plaster molds, and modeling tools.
• Medieproduktion (Media Production) Main subject track covering film, video, and audio production. Students learn cinematography, editing, sound design, and project management using industry-standard software like DaVinci Resolve, Canva, and Audacity.
• Litteratur (Literature) Main subject track focused on reading, analyzing, and writing literature. Students explore classical and contemporary works, engage in writing exercises, and use the school's library containing over 50,000 volumes.
• Natur og Mennesker (Nature and People) Outdoor-focused main subject combining wilderness skills, nature education, psychology, and pedagogy. Activities include hiking, canoeing, foraging, open-fire cooking, and nature interpretation near the Wadden Sea area.
• Dansk Sprog og Kultur (Danish Language and Culture)
• Prøveforberedende Journalistik (Exam-Preparatory Journalism)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% of journalism prep course students are admitted to journalism programs at DMJX and SDU

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Askov Højskole and Askov Efterskole are certified UNESCO Verdensmålsskole (Global Goals School). The school commits to integrating all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals into teaching, particularly Goal 4 on Quality Education. Both institutions work to promote lifelong learning access and global citizenship.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rødding Højskole: The historic Danish folk high school from which Askov's founding teachers migrated in 1865 after the Second Schleswig War. Offers a comparable residential, exam-free, Grundtvig-Kold pedagogical model with subject tracks in creative arts, humanities, and personal development, serving an overlapping student demographic.
• Studieskolen: Copenhagen-based adult education school specializing in language instruction for internationals, including Danish as a second language. Directly comparable to Askov's Dansk Sprog og Kultur program for international students seeking structured Danish language acquisition, though operating primarily in urban rather than residential format.
• International House Copenhagen: A Copenhagen-based cultural and language center serving international residents and newcomers to Denmark, offering Danish language courses and cultural integration programs. Directly comparable to Askov's international student offering, though urban-based and non-residential.
• Nørgaards Højskole: A Danish folk high school offering residential programs with creative and academic subject tracks. Competes for the same pool of young Danish adults seeking semester-length personal development and creative education in a campus-based, community-living setting.
• Gerlev Legepark & Højskole: A Danish folk high school and play park focused on physical education, games, and movement-based learning. Competes for the residential adult learner market with a distinct but adjacent pedagogical emphasis on embodied learning and creative play.
• Silkeborg Højskole: A Danish folk high school offering residential programs in creative subjects, outdoor life, and personal development. Operates a similar campus-based, multi-week program model targeting young Danish and international adults seeking creative and personal growth experiences.
• Roskilde Festival Højskole: A newer Danish folk high school launched in connection with the Roskilde Festival brand, offering residential programs combining creative arts, music, and event production. Represents an emerging peer targeting a similar demographic with a more contemporary, brand-anchored positioning.
• Krogerup Højskole: A prominent Danish folk high school in North Zealand known for its focus on social engagement, democracy, and creative arts. Competes for the same residential adult learner segment with overlapping subject tracks and a similar Grundtvig-Kold educational philosophy.
• Vallekilde Højskole: One of Denmark's largest and oldest folk high schools, founded 1865, offering residential semester programs in creative subjects, media, and personal development. Directly competes with Askov for Danish and international students seeking multi-week residential folk high school experiences with similar pricing and program length.

Broad incumbents

• Folkeuniversitetet: Denmark's largest provider of non-formal adult education, offering short courses, lectures, and continuing education across the country. Operates a much broader portfolio than Askov but serves an overlapping demographic of adult learners seeking supplementary education outside the formal university system.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AskovHojskole
• Instagraminstagram.com/askov_hojskole/?hl=da
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/askov-h%C3%B8jskole

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Askov Højskole