Secondary education

Secondary education is located in a separate wing in the south-west of the school building. Secondary school students have fixed study places in their own reading room. Good working conditions and generally low student numbers in the various subject groups provide good working and learning conditions. Few students and close proximity between teachers and students provide good contact and opportunities for cooperation.

There will be a total of 43 students in upper secondary education in the 2025-2026 school year.

We offer a study preparation program with specialization in both science and languages, social studies, and economics. Within the vocational education program, we offer sales, service, and tourism. In addition, we offer opportunities within the Svalbard model (in-company training, 0-4). Here you take the common subjects at school as a part-time student.

The upper secondary education program has some limitations; it does not offer special education or special language training. 

For more information about upper secondary education, including Norwegian language requirements for foreign applicants, click on the link below

Information about upper secondary education in Longyearbyen  pdf, 2 MB, opens in new window.

We offer educational programs in specialized studies and sales, service, and tourism. 

Academic specialization

If there is sufficient student interest, we offer specialization in science and languages, social studies, and economics. 

We have a local model for upper secondary education. Our model involves, among other things, teaching subjects for several grades at the same time and/or several different subjects at the same time:

Physical education

All upper secondary school students who have this subject take it at the same time with two teachers. 

Foreign language Spanish

Spanish as a foreign language is taught so that Spanish 1+2 first, second, and third years are together. Spanish II first and second years are taught together. Those who want to study another foreign language must take it as a private exam and cover the costs themselves.

Program subjects

In principle, all program subjects are taught in one 45-minute study period during which students work on a specific assignment given by the subject teacher. Students must be at school during the study period.

History and religion and ethics

We offer older history (56 hours per year) every other year with vg1 and vg2 together, and the following year we offer more recent history (hours per year) with vg2 and vg3 together.

In the year we teach ancient history, we also offer Religion for vg2 and vg3 together. This subject is therefore taught every other year.

Students in vg1 and vg2 take common subjects together with the class above every other school year. In school years that start with an odd number, history vg3 (for vg2 and vg3) is offered. Religion and ethics and history for vg 2 are offered in school years that start with an even number.

Sales, service, and tourism

The school offers a vocational education program in sales, service, and tourism. 

Private candidate exams

Similar to students who change schools on the Norwegian mainland, students who move to or from Svalbard may have to take subjects as private candidates, depending on the subjects offered by the school they are starting at.

Students who move to Longyearbyen must take private exams in subjects that the school does not offer, or subjects that are not offered every school year based on our local model. It is important that students considering moving to Longyearbyen familiarize themselves with our local model and are aware of the consequences in terms of teaching and private examinations. We recommend contacting the school counselor or head of the upper secondary department. If you are considering moving to Svalbard, please contact your counselor at your current school. 

If you want to be a student in our upper secondary department and move to Svalbard alone, see the information under the mainland student scheme. The mainland student scheme applies to students in vg2 and vg3.

Application deadline: February 1 each year

Below you will find the link to the application form for Longyearbyen Upper Secondary School:

Application form for upper secondary education in Svalbard pdf, 270 kB.

Admission requirements are set out in local regulations, which you can find here External link, opens in new window.

Please note the Norwegian language proficiency requirements for foreign applicants.

Sales, service, and tourism depend on the student base.

Preparatory education program: Specialized studies
Specialized studies (ST) are offered at vg1, vg2, and vg3 levels each school year. If there is a sufficient student base, we offer specialization in "science" and "languages, social studies, and economics."

The program subject offering depends on students gathering around some of the subjects listed in the form and on us having teachers who can teach the subject.

We only offer Spanish as a second foreign language. If students want a foreign language other than Spanish, it may be possible to take a private exam after studying the subject on their own. Experience shows that this requires a high degree of motivation and self-discipline. Written and oral private candidate exams are held at Longyearbyen School. Written exams are held in both the fall and spring, while oral private candidate exams are only held in the fall. Oral exams are usually conducted digitally via the internet. Oral-practical private candidate exams are normally only held in Tromsø.

Vocational education program: Sales, service, and tourism

Here you attend school for two years and are placed in a company one day a week. This is followed by two years as an apprentice or further education to prepare for university. 

The Svalbard model

This is a model that makes it possible to complete several vocational education programs in Longyearbyen. The programs available through this scheme will vary from year to year.

The scheme involves receiving full training in the vocational subject (0-4.5) at a company. You start with an apprenticeship contract from day one. In addition, you will be a part-time student at Longyearbyen School's upper secondary department and take the common subjects mathematics 1P-Y, natural sciences, English, and physical education in the first year, and social studies, Norwegian, and physical education in the second year.

At school, you will study the common subjects together with students specializing in sales, service, and tourism.

The company and the associated training office are responsible for everything related to vocational training. The school is responsible for the common subjects.

You must apply for the Svalbard model locally here. In addition, you must apply for an apprenticeship with VIGO by March 1 and apply for an apprenticeship at the associated training office.

Information for applicants to the mainland student program      

Application criteria
Students who are not permanent residents of Longyearbyen, or who do not have parents/guardians who are permanent residents of Longyearbyen, can apply to be admitted as mainland students at vg2 or vg3 Longyearbyen School.

Applicants must have good grades (minimum average of 4 and no grade below 3), low absenteeism, and demonstrate good conduct and behavior. Please refer to the local admission regulations, which can be found here External link, opens in new window.
. Eligible candidates will be interviewed.

As a mainland student, you are expected to contribute positively to both the school and youth environment. You must be a good role model with strong social skills and healthy leisure interests. It is important that you are independent, committed, outgoing, and responsible. If you have any challenges that the school should be aware of, it is important to clarify this in the application process. As a mainland student, you must accept that teachers and staff will contact and exchange information with your parents or guardians, even if you are 18 years old.

Applicants should be in good physical and mental health, and physical health must be documented. You must be prepared for – and have carefully considered – living alone far away from family and friends, not least during a long period of darkness. It is not a given that you can take time off from school to visit friends and family on the mainland.

Subjects offered for specialization
Due to the relatively low number of students, our choice of subjects is somewhat limited, and several subjects are taught across grades and offered every other year.

In order for the school to offer a program subject, as a general rule, three students must choose the subject. As a result, the program subject offerings may be changed, and it will take time before the final program offerings can be determined. The program subjects are taught in a mandatory 45-minute study period (half-period) per week, during which students are expected to work independently and, for example, submit an assignment afterwards. See also the overview of program subjects.

Spanish is offered as a second foreign language. If the school does not offer subjects that students need, private examinations may be an option. Students who take subjects as private candidates must usually cover the associated costs themselves. Please also note that a reduced number of student hours may result in reduced support from the State Educational Loan Fund, check: www.lanekassen.no) 

History

History vg2 and vg3 are offered every other year to vg1/vg2 and vg2/vg3, respectively. In the 2024-2025 school year, only history vg1/vg2 (56 hours per year) will be offered. New students in vg3 must take a private exam in history (113 hours per year). New students in vg3 in the 2024-2025 school year must therefore study history on their own, ensure that they register for and take the private candidate exam in the subject.

The subject Religion and Ethics is offered in school years that start with an even number.

The subject religion and ethics (84 hours per year) is offered every other school year.

Program subjects

Program subjects from science:
Mathematics R1
Mathematics S1
Physics 1
Chemistry 1
Biology 1
Earth Science 1
Mathematics for Economics (from 2027)
Statistics (from 2027)

Program subjects from languages, social studies and economics:
Mathematics R1
Mathematics S1
Psychology 1
Social Studies
Sociology and Social Anthropology
Politics and Human Rights
English 1
Mathematics for Economics (from 2027)
Statistics (from 2027)

Program subjects from other specialized education programs:
Outdoor Life 1

Program subjects in science specialization vg3:
Mathematics R2
Mathematics S2
Chemistry 2
Physics 2
Chemistry 1
Physics 1
Biology 1
Earth sciences 1 Mathematics for economics (from 2027)
Statistics (from 2027)

Program subjects in languages, social studies and economics
Mathematics R2
Mathematics S2
English 1
Psychology 2
Social studies
Sociology and social anthropology
Politics and human rights
Marketing and management 1 (possibly with youth enterprise)
Financial management
Tourism and languages 1 Mathematics for economics (from 2027)
Statistics (from 2027)
 

You must enclose the following for us to process your application:

Certified copy of your primary school diploma (applicants to vg2 and vg3)

• Certificate of competence/transcript for the first half of the current school year (applicants to vg2)
• Certificate of competence/transcript for vg1 and the first half of vg2 (applicants to vg3)
• A presentation of yourself (approx. one A4 page describing why you want to be a mainland student, your leisure interests and what you can contribute to the school and youth environment)
• Written recommendations from two adults who know you well, such as a coach, teacher, or similar (not from anyone you are related to)
• Health certificate for physical health (issued no earlier than 6 weeks before the application deadline)

Applications should be sent to: Longyearbyen School, Upper Secondary Education, Pb 350, 9171 Longyearbyen. Please use eDialog for uploading, click here Opens in new window.

Permanent residents can apply for a place at the school's upper secondary department. Foreign students must have achieved level 3 in the basic Norwegian language curriculum in order to be eligible for a place at the school. Please refer to the separate admission regulations.

Longyearbyen School also offers students who have completed vg1 at a secondary school in Norway a place at vg2 and/or vg3. The scheme is intended to contribute positively to both the school and youth environment. In addition to applicants being assessed on the basis of academic strength (grade point average of 4 or higher and low absenteeism), being responsible, independent, outgoing, and engaged are important application criteria. Mainland students must have strong social skills and positive leisure interests. The Longyearbyen local government offers dormitory rooms for rent to mainland students.
 

A school year in Svalbard – an experience in itself!

• Small student groups and a good learning environment
• A different school day in a 1st-13th grade school
• Distinctive and exciting nature with unique hiking opportunities
• Good range of sports activities
• Rich cultural life
• Unique experiences during the dark season and midnight sun
• A social environment and friendly people

Can you imagine a school year at the world's northernmost high school? Here's what you need to do if you want to become a "mainland student":

Fill out the application form found on this page. Your elementary school diploma, transcript from the first half of the current school year if you are applying for vg2, and from Vg1 and the first half of vg2 if you are applying for a place at vg3, must be attached to the completed application form. In addition to the application, you must write a presentation of approximately one A4 page telling us about yourself and why you want to attend school in Svalbard. Two adults who know you well but are not related to you (e.g., a teacher, coach, or family friend) must also write a statement/recommendation that is sent directly to the school. Health certificate for physical health (issued no earlier than 6 weeks before the application deadline).

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Eligible applicants and their references will be contacted for an interview.

The application deadline is February 1 each year.

Admission is local, and the application form can be found here on the website. The application form must be printed out and sent to the address below or uploaded via eDialog on the Longyearbyen Local Council website.

Longyearbyen School,
attn: Head of Upper Secondary Department
PO Box 350
9171 Longyearbyen

Please feel free to contact the head of the upper secondary school directly by email or phone at 90 67 08 24 or 79 02 39 00 if you would like more information.

There is local admission to upper secondary education in Svalbard. The application deadline is March 1 for the 2024-2025 school year. The application form is posted on our website in mid-December each year. If you wish to apply for vg2 or vg3 and are currently a student at a school on the mainland, see the information under: Mainland student applicants.

Foreign students must be able to document sufficient knowledge of Norwegian (level 3) before they can be admitted as students in upper secondary education here. Experience shows that students should have had Norwegian language training in school for several years in order to be admitted. 

Admission regulations for upper secondary education in Svalbard External link, opens in new window..

Students are basically required to attend all classes. If a student does not attend a class, the absence may affect their right to receive a semester assessment with a grade or final grade (the rules on absence limits) and the absence will be recorded on the student's certificate of competence and diploma (the rules on recording absences on certificates of competence and diplomas). 

For more information, read about absence limits External link, opens in new window. and absences in upper secondary school External link, opens in new window. on the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training's website.

You can find more useful information on this page.

At our upper secondary school, we offer candidates the opportunity to take private candidate exams. We offer this in close collaboration with Troms County Municipality. Candidates who wish to take exams at Longyearbyen School must contact the school BEFORE registering to clarify whether it is possible to take exams in Longyearbyen. For oral-practical and practical exams, candidates must travel to Tromsø and take the exam under the auspices of Studiekompetanse Tromsø.

Important information about private candidate exams and registration can be found here External link, opens in new window.. 

For spring exams, you must register between January 15 and February 1, and for fall exams between September 1 and 15.

Private candidates from Svalbard register in Troms County. You must then select either Eksamenskontoret Troms (academic subjects) or Ishavsbyen vgs (vocational subjects).

Private candidate exams in oral subjects can be taken at Longyearbyen School in the fall semester; in the spring semester, only written subjects are offered. Oral-practical and practical exams must be taken in another county. In some language subjects, oral exams are only held in the fall. 

Payment
Payment is made by card upon registration. Registration will not be registered until payment has been made. If you do not attend the exam, the exam fee will not be refunded. In the event of documented absence, you are entitled to a new exam in the first subsequent exam period.

It is not possible to register for the exam after the deadline has expired.

Contact information:
Bjørg-Solveig Lindanger, tel. 90 67 08 24, email
Head of Department vg

School Administration, tel. 79 02 39 00, email

The External link, opens in new window. Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training External link, opens in new window. provides useful information about exams and how to prepare for them.

Longyearbyen School, upper secondary education, has an exam partnership with
Troms and Finnmark County External link, opens in new window., where you can also find useful information about exams. 

The school environment plan for Longyearbyen School can be found here pdf, 286 kB, opens in new window.

External link, opens in new window.