The country was hit hard by the 2008 global financial crisis, but has seen steady economic recovery since 2010. Public spending as a % of GDP (2008-2010*) allocated to: military. The country has rather a dramatic nickname, ‘the land of fire and ice’, which refers to its impressive variety of natural features. Public spending as a % of GDP (2008-2010*) allocated to: education. There are seven universities in Iceland, of which three are private and four public. This varies between universities, but for an example the University of Iceland currently charges ISK60,000 (about US$470) per year. Fees are usually higher for students from outside the EU. The country’s official and main language is Icelandic. ; United Nations Statistics Division. Unsurprisingly, you can expect to encounter lots of fresh seafood, as well as skyr (similar to strained yogurt), pylsur (hotdogs made with lamb), and cheese - Iceland produces around 100 different types. In most cases the data are collected directly from the schools. Depending on your nationality and how long you intend to stay, it may not be necessary to get a visa for Iceland. But while the climate in Iceland is not too extreme, the variation in daylight hours certainly is. Other major languages in Iceland include Danish and English, which are both widely spoken and are both compulsory subjects at Icelandic schools. During the middle of summer, there’s almost continuous daylight – and conversely, during mid-winter, hardly any daylight at all. However, those who intend to study in Iceland for more than three months will need to apply for a residence permit, via the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration. uniRank tries to answer this question by publishing the 2020 Icelandic University Ranking of 7 Icelandic higher-education institutions meeting the following uniRank selection criteria: . College and university > Gender parity index, Government spending on education > Proportion of GDP, www.worldbank.org/html/prdmg/grthweb/ddbarle2.htm, Share of university qualifications awarded to females, Students from households with more than 25 books. you want to study in by taking our quick survey. Education rankings are dependent upon many different aspects of learning, like completing primary school or graduating high school. International students make up around 5% of all students in Iceland, and universities in Iceland are generally keen to attract more international and exchange students. Finally, a word on safety: despite being among the world’s most active volcanic regions, Iceland is not generally considered a dangerous place to live. Source tables; United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics. Private universities charge both tuition and registration fees, which vary depending on the course and institution. Many, especially the larger universities, offer a growing number of courses taught fully or partially in English, and there are good support systems in place for foreign students choosing to study in Iceland. Social security funds and social protection, Greenhouse gas emissions from Iceland (NIR), Greenhouse gas emissions from the economy (AEA), ÍSMENNT2011: Classification of educational attainment, Registered students in schools at the upper secondary and tertiary level in autumn 2011, Registered students at the upper secondary and tertiary level in autumn 2010, Registered students at the upper secondary and tertiary level in autumn 2009, ISCED 2011 International Standard Classification of Education, ISCED 2013 Fields of Education and Training, Never more male staff members in pre-primary schools, Personnel in compulsory schools in the autumn of 2019, Students in schools at the upper secondary and tertiary level in autumn 2019, Around 40 thousand took part in lifelong learning in 2019, Register of Graduations - Upper secondary and tertiary level, School operation in upper secondary schools, Student Register; upper secondary and tertiary level, Educational personnel in schools at upper secondary and tertiary level, Insolvencies and activity of companies - ex. 7.8. We need money to operate the site, and almost all of it comes from our online advertising. Applications are submitted directly to each university, with requirements and deadlines varying between institutions. Legal only for holders of teaching certificates, in other cases public education is mandatory. Copy code below and paste it into your website. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database. Source tables; UNESCO Institute for Statistics. QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited 1994 - 2020. Please add www.nationmaster.com to your ad blocking whitelist or disable your adblocking software. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Under the law, the Icelandic term "háskóli" is used to refer to both traditional universities and institutions which do not have research responsibilities. In terms of Icelandic food, don’t be put off by tales of rotten shark meat, ram’s testicles, pickled whale blubber and raw puffin hearts… These are all traditional delicacies, but not on the day-to-day menu of most Icelanders! Add NationMaster content to your website.

The capital offers a good selection of cultural attractions, including theaters, galleries, restaurants, cafes, bars and music venues, and more than holds its own among other European cities. Recent years have also seen Iceland become increasingly popular as a tourist destination, with travelers enticed both by the stunning natural scenery and the cultural attractions of capital Reykjavík – celebrated for its colorful buildings, vibrant music scene and nightlife. We've detected that you are using AdBlock Plus or some other adblocking software which is preventing the page from fully loading. A sparsely populated island nation in the north west of Europe, Iceland is also known for its hot springs, fishing industry and high quality of life. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. Popular pursuits include whale watching, glacier trekking, snowmobiling, diving, horse-riding and fishing – and Iceland is also one of the best countries from which to view the spectacular Northern Lights. That goes for both natural and other types of threat – crime rates are relatively low. SOURCES: Source tables; UNESCO Institute for Statistics. The 2020 rankings of the world’s best countries for the education system placed France in sixth ahead of Denmark into seventh; while Canada ranked eighth, Germany ninth, and Switzerland tenth. After being resident in Iceland for six months, everyone automatically becomes a member of the national social insurance system, regardless of nationality. At the master’s and PhD levels, however, a considerable number of English-led programs are available, particularly at the University of Iceland, Reykjavík University and the University of Akureyri. In summer, temperatures in Reykjavík can reach highs of 35C (95F), and in winter the average temperature there is about 0C (32F). Factoid #72 Over the years, Africa has had some of the worst literacy rates on Earth; up to 50% of the population is illiterate in some countries. 0.1. Applications take around 90 days to be processed, and students should apply in time to receive their permit before arrival in the country. 2020 World Best Education Systems – 2nd Quarter Rankings. What are the most popular Universities in Iceland? Though admittedly not an ideal destination for those who like it hot, Iceland is not actually as cold as its name implies!