Education and the School System
Education has long been highly valued in Iceland. Literacy was already widespread in the 18th century, when priests made sure that children learned to read. Today the education system is mostly public and free of charge, and about half of young people complete a university degree.
History of education
The first schools in Iceland were founded at the bishoprics of Skálholt and Hólar in the 11th and 12th centuries. They trained priests and scholars. Reykjavík Junior College (Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík) traces its history back to the Skálholt school and is therefore the oldest school in the country. The school moved to Reykjavík in 1786, then to Bessastaðir in 1805 and back to Reykjavík in 1846, where it has been ever since in the Old School building on Lækjargata.
By the 18th century literacy had become widespread after a royal decree of 1746 obliged priests to ensure that children learned to read. The Education Act of 1907 introduced general compulsory schooling for children aged 10 to 14. The University of Iceland was founded on 17 June 1911, the centenary of Jón Sigurðsson's birth.
School levels
| Level | Age | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-school (leikskóli) | 1–6 | The first school level; not compulsory, but almost all children attend |
| Compulsory school (grunnskóli) | 6–16 | Ten years of compulsory education; grades 1–10 |
| Upper secondary (framhaldsskóli) | 16–19 | Academic studies towards the matriculation exam, or vocational training |
| University | 19 and over | Bachelor's, master's and doctoral studies |
In compulsory school pupils study Icelandic, mathematics, English, Danish, science, social studies, arts and crafts and physical education – including swimming, which is compulsory. Upper secondary schools are either grammar schools focusing on academic subjects, comprehensive schools, or technical and vocational colleges.
Universities in Iceland
| University | Location | Founded | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Iceland | Reykjavík | 1911 | Comprehensive research university, the largest |
| Reykjavík University | Reykjavík | 1998 | Technology, business, law |
| University of Akureyri | Akureyri | 1987 | Health sciences, fisheries, distance learning |
| Iceland University of the Arts | Reykjavík | 1999 | Arts and design |
| Bifröst University | Borgarfjörður | 1918 (Co-operative College) | Business, law, distance learning |
| Agricultural University of Iceland | Hvanneyri | 1889 (farming school) | Agriculture and environment |
| Hólar University | Hólar in Hjaltadalur | 1882 (farming school) | Tourism, aquaculture, equine studies |
Studying abroad and international cooperation
Icelanders have long gone abroad to study, in earlier centuries mainly to Copenhagen. Even today many Icelandic students go abroad for graduate study, for example to the Nordic countries, Britain, the United States and Germany. The Icelandic Student Loan Fund (Menntasjóður námsmanna) provides student loans. Iceland participates in Erasmus+ and Nordplus.
Challenges
PISA results in recent years have suggested that Icelandic pupils' reading comprehension has declined, sparking much debate about the status of Icelandic and reading. The growing number of pupils with a mother tongue other than Icelandic has also called for more emphasis on teaching Icelandic. At the same time there is a strong focus on technical education, innovation and equal opportunities for education throughout the country.
Frequently asked questions
Is university free in Iceland?
Public universities do not charge tuition fees, but there is an annual registration fee. Private universities charge tuition fees.
When was the University of Iceland founded?
The University of Iceland was founded on 17 June 1911.