(World Data on Education, 10-12) and (The Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture)

The chart above explains the structure of the education system in Iceland. The system is extremely simple yet allows access to all levels of education as long as the student has passed their matriculation exams or has had comparable education in another form (this would be the only case of a dead end for a student’s education).

Pre-primary schooling is not compulsory in Iceland, but is considered the first level of education and is available to any child under the age of six (World Data on Education, 10-11).

Compulsory schooling is seen as a single subject and includes both lower secondary and primary schooling. It is required for students to attend school from the ages of six to 16 (World Data on Education, 11).

Grammar/Comprehensive/Industrial & Vocational schooling (Upper Secondary Schooling) is not required, but students are allowed access to one of three tracks (although admission to all schools is not guaranteed) (World Data on Education, 11-12):

• Grammar schooling focuses on general education courses surrounding natural sciences, social sciences, foreign languages, business, and economics. Students are required to take matriculation exams at the end in order to receive access to higher education (World Data on Education, 11-12).
• Comprehensive schooling is similar to grammar school with the addition of theoretical and practical courses as well as the possibility to take classes regarding certain vocational education tracks. Students are required to take matriculation exams at the end in order to receive access to higher education (World Data on Education, 11-12).
• Industrial & Vocational schooling focus on theoretical and practical based training for certified and some non-certified trades. Some institutions offer non-tertiary programs (for example, master craftsmen courses). It is not required for students to take matriculation exams, however they must graduate with a vocational certificate in order to access the next level (World Data on Education, 11-12).

Higher education includes undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate schooling. Students are only allowed to access undergraduate school if they have passed their matriculation exams or received a certificate (for instance a vocational certificate). Students can continue to graduate school for a masters and doctorate so long as they receive degrees in the respected levels (World Data on Education, 12).