Matriculation exam programme

The matriculation exam programme is preparation for studying at a university level, however it does not ensure admittance to all university programmes either here in Iceland or abroad.

Certain schools have their own policies regarding requirements for admittance and in some instances applicants must take an entrance examination, for instance the faculty of medicine. Students applying to art universities must turn in a portfolio. It is necessary that students who plan on applying to a particular school or programme familiarise themselves with the requirements so that they may best prepare themselves.

The new law on secondary school education states that core credits in the matriculation programme are now 45 credits in Icelandic, English and mathematics. Schools and students decide themselves how to organise the rest of their credits and what programmes will be on offer. Any schools that are offering new programmes must advertise.

The programme is aimed at giving students a solid foundation in basic academics with emphasis on the natural sciences. The programme prepares students to study at a university level in science, mathematics and other majors that build on a foundation o of natural sciences. The programme takes about 4 years and is 140 credits divided as follows: core subject -98 credits, special subjects-30 credits and elective subjects-12 credits.  Students may choose between a few areas of specialisation such as physics, chemistry, natural science, biology, life sciences and computers.  Programmes vary between schools and information regarding courses on offer is on the website of each school.