Icelandic education system

A class at Hraðbraut’s gym (a type of high school)

Bifröst Campus, an extension of the University of Iceland, seen from the Grábrók crater; autumn 2004

The education system in Iceland is one of the most respected in the world, thanks to its coverage and high level of training. Almost 100% of the population is literate.

Educational training has been widespread since the late 18th century. In 1907 class attendance was made compulsory for all children from 10 to 14 years of age; before the age of 10 they were educated in their homes. In 1946 compulsory education was extended from 6 to 15 years. In 1993 there were 205 full cycle schools in addition to 36 secondary schools and 12 establishments for tertiary education.

Those who wish to continue their education may also attend specialized colleges or language schools.
Academic education proper began in 1847 with the formation of the Theological Seminary, followed in 1876 by the Faculty of Medicine and in 1908 by the Faculty of Law.

These three institutions were merged in 1911 when the University of Iceland was established on the Centenary of Jón Sigurðsson's birth, and a fourth faculty, Philosophy, was added, primarily concerned with philology, history, and literature.

Departments of dental surgery and pharmacy were added to the School of Medicine in 1941 and 1957 respectively. Economics, with an emphasis on business administration, was added to the Faculty of Law in 1941, but is now a separate faculty. In the same year, the Faculty of Engineering and Sciences was inaugurated, which now confers the degree B.S (Bachelor of Science) in engineering, mathematics and natural sciences.

Within the Faculty of Philosophy it is possible to obtain the degree B.A (Artistic Bachelor) in subjects such as English, French, German, Latin, Greek, all the Nordic languages, physics, mathematics, chemistry, etc.

All education in Iceland is free. Several research centers and experimental institutions work in cooperation with the University. The University Library is the second most important in the country, after the National Library.

In 1967 the Manuscript Institute was founded after an agreement reached between the Danish and Icelandic authorities ensuring the return of a large number of precious Icelandic manuscripts, preserved in Copenhagen since the 18th and early 18th centuries. The collection includes most of the extant manuscripts of ancient Icelandic literature.