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EACEA National Policies Platform
Iceland

Iceland

6. Education and Training

6.1 General context

Last update: 28 November 2023
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  1. Main trends in young people's participation in education and training
  2. Organisation of the education and training system
  3. Main concepts

Main trends in young people's participation in education and training

 In Iceland, education is compulsory from age 6 – 16. However, Iceland has a relatively high ratio of young people aged 18-24 who ´leave education and training with only lower secondary education or less, and are no longer in education and training´, (definition of early school leaving in the report) or 20 – 25% (Reducing early school leaving: Key messages and policy support 2013).

 

Organisation of the education and training system

Compulsory formal education begins at the age of six and finishes at the age of 16, when students begin their upper secondary education. Students who wish to pursue further education after compulsory formal education enrol in an upper secondary school. Many upper secondary institutions offer both academic courses as well as vocational education and training. For further information on the organization of the education and training system for young people in Iceland, please visit Iceland’s Eurydice webpage.

 

Main concepts

There are no distinctive definitions of the Icelandic education system.