What are schools like in Iceland?
Ava Mcdaniel
Updated on February 26, 2026
Education in Iceland is a four-level system.
There are fees for preschool, but they are largely subsidized. Compulsory education follows preschool education. Compulsory education is free and mandatory for children between the ages of six and 16. Unlike in the United States, homeschooling is not an option.How long is the school day in Iceland?
The formal school day starts at 8:30 and the length of each day can vary. Usually students finish their school day between 1-3 in the afternoon. Students take a break twice during the day to eat.How many hours is school in Iceland?
That would make sense but, the schools in Iceland are actually some of the best schools in the world. The students go to school for 9 hours a day and have 4.1 hours of homework a week in compulsory education.What kind of education does Iceland have?
The system of education in Iceland is divided in four levels: playschool, compulsory, upper secondary and higher, and is similar to that of other Nordic countries. Education is mandatory for children aged 6–16. Most institutions are funded by the state; there are very few private schools in the country.How do children go to school in Iceland?
Children are admitted to compulsory education at age 6, with students usually attending their local school. Parents are permitted to transport their children to a more distant district. In the rural areas, children frequently attend boarding schools. Tuition and textbooks are free of charge at the compulsory level.Does ICELAND have the BEST education system?
Are schools in Iceland good?
In a 2016 study, Iceland was ranked the third most literate nation in the world, trailing behind Finland and Norway. The small island country is home to a population of around 332,000 people. Iceland is well known for being progressive. Its equality endeavors are evident in the structure of its education system.Is English taught in Icelandic schools?
In Iceland, English is taught to 99.6 percent of students at the lower secondary level, and Danish is taught to 96.2 percent of students at this education level. Aside from Denmark, Iceland is the only European country where Danish is taught at the lower secondary level.Which country has the best education system?
- United States. #1 in Education Rankings. No Change in Rank from 2020. ...
- United Kingdom. #2 in Education Rankings. ...
- Germany. #3 in Education Rankings. ...
- Canada. #4 in Education Rankings. ...
- France. #5 in Education Rankings. ...
- Switzerland. #6 in Education Rankings. ...
- Japan. #7 in Education Rankings. ...
- Australia. #8 in Education Rankings.
Is college free in Iceland?
The country is well known for strong programmes in Icelandic language and literature, glaciology, and geology. There are no tuition fees at the state universities (although there are registration fees), and student loans are available to cover living expenses and school materials.Does Iceland have school uniforms?
Most Icelandic children attend public school. There are very few private schools. An Icelandic student tells us, "We in Iceland don´t wear school uniforms."Is Iceland a good place to live?
If you are considering a move to Iceland, you have probably seen how well Iceland scores in many of the life indexes. Indeed, Icelandic living standards are very high, extremely safe, with high-quality education, modern infrastructure, and stable government.What language is mostly spoken in Iceland?
Icelandic has been spoken in Iceland since the country was settled in the 9th century and has changed little since then. Icelandic has been spoken in Iceland since the country was settled in the 9th century and has changed little since then.Is homeschooling legal in Iceland?
Legal StatusIn 2009, a regulation on homeschooling was introduced which requires at least one parent to hold a teaching license. Parents are also forced to follow a state sanction curriculum. Parents who wish to teach their children at home, in part or totally, must apply for an exemption from their municipality.
What's the poverty rate in Iceland?
The at-risk-of-poverty rate was 9% in Iceland in 2018, with 31,400 individuals living in households with disposable income below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold. The at-risk-of-poverty rate was lower in Iceland than in the other Nordic countries, where it was between 12% and 16.4%.Is healthcare free in Iceland?
State healthcare in Iceland is not completely free. Healthcare costs are covered by the state (through the Icelandic Health Insurance fund) and through patient contributions. Patient contributions are capped each month. Once you've spent a certain amount, your state healthcare is free for the rest of the month.Is Iceland cold in summer?
Iceland's temperatures in summer can be as low as 41 F (5 C) but as warm as 77 F (25 C) during this time of year. On average, Iceland's weather in summer is between 50-59 F (10 to 15 C). Summers are not as wet as spring, but it does rain occasionally.How do people dress in Iceland in July?
What to wear on a trip to Iceland in summer (June-August)
- Base layer – normal underwear and short or long-sleeve t-shirts are usually fine.
- Warm sweater – wool or fleece.
- Lightweight outdoor trousers/pants – believe us, soggy jeans are no fun! ...
- Lightweight weatherproof jacket with hood - rain – and windproof shell.
