A fundamental principle of Icelandic education is that everyone should have equal opportunities to acquire an education, regardless of sex, economic status, residential location, religion, possible handicaps, and cultural, social or ethnic background.

The parliament (Alþingi), and the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (Menntamálaráðuneytið), are legally and politically responsible for the education system and determine its basic objectives and administrative framework. The municipalities are responsible for providing access to pre-school and compulsory school facilities and also for all financial support of these facilities.

The education system is divided into four levels:

*    Pre-school (leikskóli) - for children between the ages of 2 and 6 years of age. For information regarding pre-schools see “The Family”
*    Compulsory (grunnskóli) - 6-16 years of age.
*    Upper-secondary (framhaldsskóli) - For those who are 16-20 years of age or anyone that has completed compulsory education or has turned 18 years of age.
*    Higher education or university (háskóli) – For those that have completed upper-secondary school and have a stúdentspróf or the equivalent.