ICELAND

The political and legal responsibility for the education system is under the Icelandic parliament and the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture but local authorities are responsible for running nursery schools and primary schools. The figure below shows the structure of the Icelandic school system. Early childhood education and care usually starts when children are 1 year old with home-based provision and children can then attend preschool around the time when they turn 2 years old. Preschools are considered the first school level. At 6, children attend compulsory schools, a ten year program. Then they can take different 3- to 4-year programs at the secondary school level and most of the upper secondary schools offer both general academic education ending with matriculation exam and vocational education and training (VET). If students finish the matriculation exam they can attend tertiary education, but if not, some preliminary studies can prepare students for university study. The preliminary studies are 1-year programs offered at three universities. All universities have their own admission system.