Recognition of foreign education
Where should I take my foreign education documents?
If you completed education abroad, it may be useful to have it assessed in Iceland. An assessment can help if you want to apply for further studies, show your education when applying for a job, or check whether your education gives you the right to work in Iceland.
The right path depends on what kind of education you completed and what you want to use the assessment for.
ENIC/NARIC is the official service that receives applications for the assessment of foreign education.
I completed upper secondary education abroad
If you completed upper secondary education abroad, you can apply for an assessment through ENIC/NARIC.
The assessment can be useful if you want to show what education you have completed or prepare for further studies in Iceland.
I completed university education abroad
If you completed university education abroad, you can apply for an assessment through ENIC/NARIC.
The assessment shows how your education relates to the Icelandic education system. It can be useful when you apply for studies, apply for a job, or need to show your education.
I trained for a job that requires a licence
Some jobs in Iceland require a special licence. In those cases, you may not work in the profession until your education or qualifications have been recognised.
This can apply to certain trades, healthcare professions and other jobs where special rights or qualifications are required.
This is not the same as a general assessment of education. A general assessment shows what education you have completed. Recognition for professional rights is about whether you are allowed to work in a specific profession in Iceland.
I have education from Denmark, Finland, Norway, Poland or Sweden
For some qualifications from these countries, you may be able to get a confirmation from ENIC/NARIC immediately, without submitting a standard application.
This confirmation can be used together with your education documents when you apply for studies or work. If your education is connected to a job that requires a licence, that still needs to be checked separately.
I have work experience but no formal education
If you have learned a lot through work but have not completed formal education, validation of prior learning may be more relevant than assessment of foreign education.
Validation of prior learning looks at what you know and what you have done in your work. It can help you have your experience recognised, shorten studies, or see what steps are still missing.
Does it cost anything to have education assessed?
A general academic assessment through ENIC/NARIC is free of charge. This applies to assessments of foreign upper secondary education and university education.
There may still be other costs, for example for translating documents or applying for a professional licence through another authority.
Good to have ready
It can speed things up to collect your documents before you apply for an assessment.
Examples of useful documents:
- diploma or graduation certificate
- transcript of records or grades
- description of the education, if available
- translations of documents, if requested
- CV or information about work experience, if relevant
You do not need to have everything ready before asking for help.
Not sure where to go?
Start with educational and career counselling.
A counsellor can help you find out whether you should contact ENIC/NARIC, a school, a public authority, an education provider or another organisation.
