As an alternative study option it aims at giving the pupils the possibility to carry out most of their training at a working place as well as giving industry the opportunity to influence the content and organisation of the education. The content of the apprenticeship training is regulated by a contract between the pupil, the school, and the work place. The apprenticeship programme is planned to become part of the regular school activities as from the autumn 2000. The vast majority of upper secondary schools are municipal and most students attend the school in the municipality they live. The number of pupils normally varies between 300 and 1,500.
All schools are co-eduactional.
Various types of education within one school can be located to different buildings, and in many places upper secondary pupils and students in municipal adult education share the same building. The number of pupils per class does not usually exceed 30. The average number of pupils in independent upper secondary schools is approximately 130. The school year has the same allocation of time in compulsory and upper secondary school. The Autumn term lasts from the end of August to the end of December, the Spring term from the beginning of January to the beginning of June.