NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

At the end of the 10th grade all pupils sit the same standardised written examinations in Icelandic, mathematics, English and
Danish. These examinations are composed, graded and organised by the Institute of Educational Research (Rannsóknastofnun
uppeldis- og menntamála). The grading scale applied is 0 to 10. The purpose of these standardised examinations is primarily
to offer an indication of the individual’s standing at the completion of his compulsory education and to assist him in choosing
a course of upper secondary study. This leaving examination of the primary and lower secondary school is the grunnskólapróf.
According to a new law passed in 1996 there will be standardised examinations at the end of the fourth, seventh and 10th
grades.
By law all pupils are entitled to upper secondary education regardless of their achievement in primary and lower secondary
school. Upper secondary school principals may require pupils to complete review or refresher courses of study in individual
subjects as deemed necessary with regard to their primary and lower secondary school grades.
Idngreinanám (basic vocational education
and training/apprentice training)
The basic vocational education courses are offered in vocational technical schools (idnskólar) and in comprehensive schools
(fjolbrautaskólar) and encompass both theoretical and practical education. The education gives training for employment
and/or training for studies in specialised schools, colleges or universities (stúdentspróf).
All pupils pursuing vocational-technical courses are required to take the following subjects: Icelandic, four credits; foreign
languages, eight credits; social sciences, two credits; mathematics, four credits and accounting, two credits. (See II.1.2 for
definition of credits.)
Study courses leading to full trade certification take three or four years. Pupils can choose one of three routes: (1) An
apprenticeship agreement with a master tradesman; (2) basic study, i.e. the first year of vocational study in school, followed
by an apprenticeship agreement with a master tradesman; or (3) basic study, i.e. first year of vocational study in school,
further study in the advanced class, followed by an apprenticeship agreement with a master tradesman.
By the apprenticeship agreement the master tradesman accepts responsibility for the practical training of the apprentice.
Vocational technical schools or comprehensive schools provide the theoretical instruction and practical instruction apart from
that which takes place at the apprentice’s place of employment. On the completion of the study period the apprentice takes the
journeyman’s examination (sveinspróf) which provides him with qualifications to work in his trade.
Pupils can choose courses of study in 10 different areas in this sector of upper secondary education and each area is divided
into a number of specialised lines of study. A pupil who has completed the journeyman’s examination can qualify as a master
tradesman after a period of work experience and further study. This qualification gives him the right to take independent
responsibility for work in his trade.
Specialised vocational education (sérnám)
Specialised vocational schools prepare pupils for specialised employment. In most cases the education is a combination of
schooling (theory) and practical training. The main branches of specialised vocational education in Iceland are the following.
Nautical colleges are intended to prepare pupils to work as officers aboard fishing and merchant vessels and to offer
instruction and training for workers in the fish processing industry.
Marine engineering and technology colleges prepare pupils for work as engineers on fishing and merchant vessels as well as
for various other machine engineering work.
Several fine art schools train pupils both in visual arts and music. In addition to artistic study, pupils can choose certain lines
of study which offer employment training.
Agricultural colleges prepare pupils for employment in agriculture and horticulture.