The Higher Preparatory Examination (hf)
HF is a fulltime, two-year programme of study. Approximately 75,000 students complete one or more HF subjects every year.
The emphasis in the HF programme is on both the theoretical and the practical.
The programme aims to develop the students’ capacity for in-depth study and their understanding of the connections between the subjects to promote the students’ responsibility for his or her own and joint results.
The students are to attain analytical and critical skills and achieve insight into natural science, social science and humanistic contexts. They are also to develop their linguistic competences.
HF is a fulltime, two-year programme of study, and the subjects are also offered as single subjects and sometimes as packages of subjects at adult education centres, where approximately 75,000 students complete one or more HF subjects every year.
Compulsory subjects and levels:
As well as an introductory course, a workshop course and project periods, the programme consists of:
- Danish A
- English B
- mathematics C
- physical education C
- practical/musical subject C
- biology C
- geography C
- chemistry C
- history B
- social science
- religion C.
As well as the compulsory subjects, the student must choose two to four electives, and each student must also complete a major written assignment during the second year in one to three subjects of their choice.
Electives:
The students choose from among a number of electives at C, B or A level offered by the schools. The electives can be HF subjects within the practical/musical area or electives common to the other upper secondary programmes STX, HHX and HTX.
The schools can also tone their HF range by offering electives as ”packages” for the students to choose between. The number and specific content of the elective options vary from school to school.
Number of weekly periods:
Each student completes a minimum of 1625 hours spread out over 60-minute lessons. There is, in addition, homework with written assignments, preparation of texts, research etc. as well as time for examinations.
Typical work methods:
Various methods of work are employed, for instance classroom instruction, project work, individual and group-based written work etc. Up to 20 per cent of the teaching time can be spent on virtually organised teaching, where students and teacher are not necessarily in the same room.
Examination:
All HF students take one or more written and/or oral examinations in all the compulsory subjects and in the subject groups within natural science and culture/ social science. Examinations are also taken in the electives. An HF examination also includes an individual, major written assignment within one to three subjects.
Term marks (end of year marks) are not given in the HF programme.
Type of school:
The HF is typically offered by general upper secondary schools, which, as well as HF, also offer STX, and by adult education centres, which, as well as HF, also offer other types of adult education.