FAQ

In principle not much – but on the other hand; quite a lot. Not much in the sense that the structure of the teaching itself is quite similar in fall and spring. The projects will obviously be new and different, but each program offers a solid and well-proven introduction to professional design every semester. Naturally a few of the assignments in fall and spring might seem similar, but that’s how it is in real life as well. Just because you have already designed a poster, a dress, a chair, or a home once there is no harm in doing it again.

The most significant difference between the two semesters has to do with the admission tests for the schools of architecture and design. They usually take place in spring, which means that many experience the spring semester as more intense – and in some cases more stressful than the fall semester. It goes without saying that beginning in early January with just 2 – 3 months to get ready for the tests in March/April; you have no time to waste. And of course that makes an impact on the semester – people need to keep busy and they know it!

The quick answer is that it doesn’t make much of a difference. The difference in admission percentage  ** 83,9%* for fall semester – and 84,3%* for spring semester – is so small that it is in reality inconsequential.

The real noticeable difference lies within the students who have attended a full yearcompared to students who have attended half a year! For instance, the gap betweenfull-year students and half-year students, who are admitted to one of the schools of design is nearly 40%. The admittance percentage ** for full-year students is 69,2%* compared to 31,4%* for half-year students. A very significant difference.

The same pattern is true for architectural education although to a smaller extent. It is after all somewhat easier to get admission to the schools of architecture. Still the numbers speak volumes: Full year students: 70,8%* and half year students: 54,9%*. So in other words, if you are really keen on getting admitted to a creative education afterwards; you should definitely stay a full year at the folk high school. You could begin by enrolling for the fall semester to give yourself plenty of time to develop your skills and get a better sense of whether or not design is the right thing for you?

* The numbers are based on statistics from architectural and product programs 2008-2013, but are easily comparable to the other programs.

- Admission percentage, Fall semester: 83,9% = 26 admitted / 31 students

– Admission percentage, Spring semester: 84,3% = 75 admitted / 89 students
– Schools of design, Full year students: 69,2% = 9 admitted / 13 applications
– Schools of design, Half year students: 31,4% = 16 admitted / 51 applications
– Schools of architecture, Full year students: 70,8% = 46 admitted / 65 applications

- Schools of architecture, Half year students: 54,9% = 62 admitted / 113 applications

** Admission percentage is defined as the percentage of our students who end up being admitted to one of the creative educations they have applied to – that is not just to the stage of the interview or the test but the ones that obtain an actual spot in a creative school!

There are two answers to this question; a short as well as a longer more in-depth answer. 
Lets begin with the short answer which is that 84%* of those of our students who apply to any kind of creative education get in – that is not just to the stage of the interview or the test but the ones that obtain an actual spot in a creative school. And to be even more specific, we can say that the admission percentage for the schools of architecture is 60,1%*, whereas it is 40,6% for the schools of design*.

A more elaborate answer is hidden behind these percentages of admission with several explanations of how to understand these numbers properly. The actual numbers are slightly higher. The reason for this is that in the Danish system of admission, applicants are not informed whether they passed the test for their second priority if they are admitted to their first priority. And seeing that we encourage our students to apply for more than one education this happens quite frequently.

Furthermore, not everyone who applies is equally motivated. We frequently experience students applying just for fun now that their classmates are applying anyway, or people who just want to experience the test before applying for real the following year etc. In other words, it is not necessarily a homogenous, super-motivated group of students applying to get in to these schools every year. But everyone counts in the statistics; otherwise it would not be statistics but a subjective estimate without real validity.

Lets have a look at the differences between admission percentages for architecture and design. Why are 60% admitted the one place and only 40% the other? Well that has to do with the size of the eye of the needle – the number of students admitted to each school. From 2008 to 3013 the two schools of design in Kolding and Copenhagen had admission to the program of industrial design at just above 20 students annually. As we have had about 12 students a year applying for these programs; it would mean that more than half of all available spots were occupied by students from Scandinavian Design College. This would hardly be realistic – despite all.

The Architectural Schools are somewhat easier to get into; they accept about 150students annually on Quota 2**.


Which other factors should you take into account when looking at the admission percentages from the preparatory schools?

Well, first of all it is important to note that the number should cover actually accepted students and not the ones who have merely gone to the stages of interviews or tests. These numbers could vary greatly and not all schools are equally transparent about how they calculate their percentages. At Scandinavian Design College we have nothing to hide, our number of students who continue to the tests at the Schools of Architecture in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden is 89,2% ***, while the number of students who reach the interview stage for the design schools in Denmark is 73,3%***.

* The numbers are based on statistics from architectural and product programs 2008-2013, but are easily comparable to the other programs.


- Admission percentage, all students: 84% = 132 accepted / 162 students

- Schools of architecture DK, NO, SE: 60,1% = 107 accepted / 178 applications
– Design schools: 40,6% = 26 accepted / 64 applications 


** It should be noted that the procedure of admission for the schools of architecture changed from 2015 onwards, so that admissions only takes place though Quota 2 – which means through tests and interviews.

***Numbers are based on statistics from architectural and product programs 2008-2014, but are easily comparable to the other programs.
– Schools of architecture DK, NO, SE: 89,2% = 183 continue to the test /205 applications.

– School of Design: 73,3% = 55 continue to the interview/ 75 applications

Of course you can, by all means. Even though we are a school that emphasizes a high level of professionalism, we are absolutely still a folk high school with all that this entails; activities, play, fun, festivities, and general life skills.
The most important thing for us as a Folk High School is not whether you are accepted into your favorite school (fortunately we are pretty good at helping with that as well), butrather that you have an amazing stay with us and feel more resolved at the endabout whether or not the creative path is the right way for you!

Not at all. As long as you find design and architecture engaging and fascinating we will help and guide you just as you are.

In that case you begin by visiting the websites of the various programs – Fashion & Textile design / Graphic Design / Furniture, Space & Product design / Architecture& Urban design – and have a look at the various projects and keep your gut feelingin mind. Where could you picture yourself and what made you tick? That’s theprogram for you! Remember your pick isn’t necessarily definitive. It is perfectly fine to change study program or to get a whiff of the other programs during your stay.

Yes, it is possible to do that, but we don’t recommend it. The initial period of time is usually significant for the social as well as the professional benefit of your stay. But if you are passionate and up for the challenge; you are more than welcome.Call us and ask if we have space available.

Well… as soon as possible …
Traditionally we have a full house every spring and often the waiting lists are long so registering early is a good idea; whereas fall is often a bit less booked so usually you will be able to get a spot right up until the courses begin. However, there are obviously no guarantees.