The completion of upper secondary school programmes is arranged according to competence levels. By arranging them according to competence levels, different requirements for a student’s competence upon completion of their studies are highlighted. The competence levels thus form a framework for different requirements upon completion of studies, regardless of whether the study is academic, artistic or vocational.

The description of the competence levels emphasizes, on the one hand, key competences and basic elements and, on the other hand, increased specialization in learning. The competence levels are defined with students in mind, regardless of the school level and implementing agency. The competence levels are intended to provide an indication of the subject matter and learning requirements and are thus a guide when creating course and study program descriptions. The competence levels are also informative for stakeholders, both students and the business community and the next level of education that accepts students after completing their studies.

At the upper secondary level, there are four levels. The first level is on the border between primary and secondary schools and includes general education. It relates demands for democracy, human rights, equality and sustainability to everyday life and the individual’s function in society. A student who has achieved this key competence demonstrates in everyday life and communication that he or she respects other people, their values ​​and human rights. Studies at the first level can also include general preparation for jobs in the business world that do not require great specialization and are carried out under the direction or supervision of others. In study programs with a completion of studies at the first level of competence, the requirement for academic progress may be unconventional and assessment primarily provides guidance on how students can achieve set goals.

Level two graduation is characterized by a relatively short specialization, which is mainly aimed at professional preparation for further studies or jobs that require employees to be able to demonstrate responsibility and independence within a certain framework and/or under the supervision of others. It is then assumed that the general competence to be an active citizen has been achieved and the focus is on activity and responsibility within a work environment.

Completion of studies at the third qualification level is characterized by even greater demands on knowledge, skills and competences related to specialization and professionalism. It provides specialized preparation for university studies, legally protected jobs, specialized vocational training and art studies. After completing studies at the third level, students should be able to work independently, take responsibility for the organization and resolution of projects and evaluate their own work.

The fourth stage includes studies that take place either within or at a secondary school or university. Completion of studies at the fourth stage is characterized by increased specialization and/or expansion of specialization in relation to management, guidance, development or innovation.

The Ministry publishes an overview of the ranking of confirmed study outcomes by qualification level.

Skill level 1

• Programs are typically organized as 30 to 120 credits and typically last 1 to 4 semesters. However, they can be up to 240 credits and organized as 8 semesters for students with intellectual disabilities.
• Graduation includes, for example, high school diplomas and other final exams.
• The program includes general education, with an emphasis on the comprehensive development of students and democratic participation.
• A study programme defined as a first-level qualification is based on the knowledge, skills and competence criteria listed below. The criteria should also be taken into account when designing study units classified as first-level qualification.

KNOWLEDGE – The student possesses:

• a diverse vocabulary to be able to express their opinions and justify them,
• knowledge of social values, morality, human rights and equality,
• knowledge related to being an active and responsible citizen in a democratic society,
• knowledge related to the Icelandic environment in an international context (such as culture, society, nature and sustainability),
• knowledge that is useful in preparation for further studies,
• vocabulary to be able to express oneself in a simple way in foreign languages ​​and insight into the relevant cultures,
• knowledge and understanding of the impact of role models and stereotypes on one’s own image and lifestyle.

SKILLS – The student has acquired the skills to:

• express themselves in a clear, responsible and creative manner,
• participate in discussions, argue their case and respect the opinions of others,
• be practically self-sufficient in everyday life,
• apply creative thinking in all work,
• work independently, responsibly and creatively under guidance,
• utilize a variety of technologies in knowledge seeking and knowledge sharing in a responsible and critical manner,
• use diverse learning methods,
• treat their environment with sustainability in mind.

COMPETENCE – Student:

• can express their thoughts and feelings in a logical context,
• can express themselves in a simple way in foreign languages,
• has a clear self-image and realizes how he can use his strengths in a creative way,
• can have positive and constructive communication and collaboration with other people,
• respects the values ​​of life, human rights and equality,
• respects nature and the environment in an international context,
• takes a responsible stance towards one’s own well-being, physical and mental,
• has adopted a positive attitude towards learning,
• can be an active and responsible citizen in a democratic local and remote community,
• can connect their knowledge and skills to everyday life, technology and science.

Skill level 2

• Degree programs are typically organized as 90 to 120 credits and usually take about 3 to 4 semesters.
• Graduation includes, for example, professional qualifications, high school diplomas, and other final exams.
• The program includes preparation for specialized and legally protected jobs and specialized practical training.
• A study programme defined as a second level qualification is based on the knowledge, skills and competence criteria listed below. The criteria should also be taken into account when designing study units classified as second level qualification.

KNOWLEDGE – The student possesses:

• a diverse vocabulary to be able to express their opinions and justify them in everyday life and in relation to their expertise and/or profession,
• knowledge related to being a responsible participant in the business world,
• knowledge related to the environment and concerning expertise and/or profession,
• knowledge that is useful in preparation for further studies,
• It requires vocabulary to be able to express oneself in foreign languages ​​in relation to specialized knowledge.

SKILLS – The student has acquired the skills to:

• express themselves clearly, responsibly and creatively about their specialized knowledge and/or profession,
• organize a simple work process of a profession and/or expertise and apply appropriate technology in this regard,
• demonstrate initiative and independence in basic working methods of expertise and/or profession,
• participate in discussions about their specialized knowledge and/or profession.

COMPETENCE – Student:

• can express their opinions and explain procedures related to a defined work environment in a responsible, independent and clear manner,
• can express themselves simply and clearly in foreign languages,
• respects the basic principles of the work environment,
• has responsibility towards work and the work environment,
• has a clear self-image and is aware of new opportunities in the environment,
• can be an active and responsible citizen in a democratic society and within a community of expertise and/or profession,
• can relate their knowledge and skills to the work environment and everyday life.

Skill level 3

• Degree programs are generally organized as 150 to 240 credits and usually take about 5 to 8 semesters.
• Graduation includes, for example, matriculation exams, professional qualifications, and other final exams.
• The program includes specialized preparation for university studies, legally protected jobs, specialized vocational training, and art studies.
• A study programme defined as a third-level qualification is based on the knowledge, skills and competence criteria listed below. The criteria should also be taken into account when designing study units classified as third-level qualification.

KNOWLEDGE – The student possesses:

• a diverse vocabulary to be able to express their opinions and justify them in everyday life and in relation to their expertise and/or profession,
• specialized knowledge that is useful in work and/or in preparation for further studies,
• knowledge related to being an active and responsible citizen in a community of expertise and/or profession,
• knowledge related to the environment in an international context and concerning expertise and/or profession,
• vocabulary and knowledge in a foreign language that is useful for further study or in connection with specialist knowledge, it requires it.

SKILLS – The student has acquired the skills to:

• express themselves clearly, critically and creatively about their specialized knowledge and/or profession,
• organize work processes, apply appropriate technology and methods of the profession and/or expertise in a responsible manner,
• show initiative and independence in working methods when seeking solutions within their expertise and/or profession,
• Participate responsibly in discussions about their specialized knowledge and/or profession.

COMPETENCE – Student:

• can express their opinions and explain procedures related to a defined work environment in a responsible, critical and clear manner,
• can express themselves in a foreign language if required for work or further studies,
• possesses moral responsibility in creative work,
• has a responsibility towards the working environment and the use of his/her general knowledge,
• can use their knowledge to identify new opportunities in the environment,
• has the ability to cope with further studies,
• can be an active and responsible citizen in a democratic society of expertise and/or profession,
• has the ability to evaluate one’s own work contribution,
• see their education in an international context,
• can connect their knowledge and skills to technology and science.

Skill level 4

• Study programmes are generally organised as 30 to 120 credits and usually take around 1 to 4 semesters. They are organised as a continuation of studies at the third qualification level.
• The completion of the program is defined as additional studies at upper secondary school.
• The program involves increased professional specialization and/or deepening in relation to development and innovation.
• A study programme defined as a level 4 completion programme addresses the knowledge, skills and competence criteria listed below. The criteria should also be taken into account when designing study units classified at level 4.

KNOWLEDGE – The student possesses:

• specialized knowledge that is useful for career advancement and/or preparation for further studies,
• specialized vocabulary in a foreign language that is useful for career advancement and/or preparation for further study.

SKILLS – The student has acquired the skills to:

• guide and communicate their knowledge in a clear and creative way,
• organize work processes, apply appropriate technology and develop professional methods and/or expertise in a responsible manner,
• show initiative and independence in working methods in analyzing situations and responding in an appropriate, realistic and creative manner.

COMPETENCE – Student:

• can express their specialized knowledge of Icelandic and foreign languages ​​if required for work or further studies,
• can participate in discussions based on specialized knowledge and skills in a responsible, critical and clear manner,
• has a moral responsibility for the utilization and development of their specialized knowledge towards the work environment,
• possesses the ability to be active and responsible in a community of expertise and/or profession,
• can evaluate one’s own work contribution and that of others in relation to the work environment and/or expertise in a critical and constructive manner,
• can relate their knowledge and skills to an international environment.