Education

 

Education in the Faroe Islands is free for everyone from primary school to higher education. They believe all people in the Faroe Islands should have the opportunity to reach their potential through education. Faroese is the official language and is the first language children are taught. They begin to learn Danish in third grade and English in fourth grade.

 

 The Faroe Islands has the following three levels of education: primary, secondary, and higher education. Children begin primary school when they are seven years old. At the end of ninth grade students need to pass an exam that allows them to enter secondary school. Secondary education is divided into six lines. They are:

Humanities line 3-year course focusing on linguistic and humanities subjects

Natural science line 3-year course focusing on natural science

Business line 3-year business course

Resource line 3-year course focusing on natural resources, environment and sustainability

Technical line 3-year course focusing on mathematics, technics, physics and chemistry

Preparation line 2-year general course especially intended for adults

 

 After completion of secondary education students can now attend higher educational in the Faroe Islands and abroad. There are also a number of schools that offer alternative options for those that do not wish to pursue upper secondary education or higher education but obtain skills for the labor market. They are:

Health courses

            15 months basic course and 22 months further course in health care Business courses

Business courses

            1-year business course upon which the students can leave for training in a shop or an office

Technical courses

            Courses in carpentry, electronic cabling, plumbing, motor mechanics, hairdressing, and other vocational areas

Maritime courses    

            3-year courses in machine engineering and navigation