Higher Education
Since 1979, the Faroe Islands have administered its own education system, which is very similar to the Danish one. However, as there are only a limited number of educations in the Faroe Islands, many Faroese still have to go abroad to take a higher education. Approx. 700 are studying in higher education in the Faroe Islands, while approx. 1,000 students in Denmark and in other countries.
Denmark has entered into a co-operation agreement with the other Nordic countries on higher education. The agreement means that you as a Danish citizen with a Danish upper secondary education can freely apply for admission to a higher education in another country in the Nordic region, including the Faroe Islands. If you are already in education, and you want to continue your education in the Faroe Islands, you have the opportunity to have your exams transferred to your new place of education.
Read more about the Nordic agreement in the article Nordic co-operation on education.
Institutions
The Faroe Islands have a university, Fróðskaparsetur Føroya, which has two faculties: a natural sciences (IT, biology, natural sciences basic education and health education) and a humanities (Faroese language and literature, history and social sciences and teacher and pedagogue education).
At the technical school in Tórshavn you can study to be a construction technician and production technologist (both 2 years) and at the business school you can study to be a computer scientist of 2½ years plus take various part-time educations in the evening such as HD, academy and diploma education. Finally, there is a maritime school in the Faroe Islands, where you can, among other things, take a master’s education and a mechanical engineering education.
Degrees at university level
The higher education programs in the Faroe Islands are divided into two levels:
- Bachelor’s degree obtained after 3 years of study
- Master’s degree awarded after a further 2 years of study.
Application for higher education
There is a coordinated application for the University of the Faroe Islands. For the other, short higher educations at the technical school and the business school, you apply directly to the institution. You can contact the individual educational institution directly for more information.
Admission requirements
Danish citizens with a high school education can apply for higher education on an equal footing with Faroese.
Language skills The language of
instruction in higher education is Faroese.
Application
deadlines The application deadline for higher education is at the end of June and is announced in the local dailies.
Other educations
You can take 3-year upper secondary education in the Faroe Islands, which is reminiscent of the Danish upper secondary education. In addition, you can also take a fishing high school education, called HIF / HTF (higher exam in fishing), which also lasts 3 years.
Recognition of foreign educations
If you have completed a publicly recognized education abroad, you can have it assessed by the Danish Agency for Research and Education. See the application procedure.
Economics and education
You do not have to pay tuition fees for the educations in the Faroe Islands
Nordplus
Nordplus is a co-operation and exchange program that provides support for study stays in the Nordic countries. You can receive a grant for a study stay of between 1 and 12 months. In 2012, the subsidy was 180 euros per month.
Due to a skewed distribution of travel activity to and from the Faroe Islands, special priority is given to students who wish to travel to the Faroe Islands.
Application for Nordplus takes place once a year, typically in January, and you must apply via the Danish Agency for Research and Education’s website. Here you can also get information about the application procedure and application deadline.
Nordplus Junior
Nordplus Junior is a program that, among other things, is aimed at students in upper secondary schools and vocational schools. Through Nordplus Junior, you can apply for support for individual internships and training stays in a Nordic country.
Practical conditions
Housing
There is no housing guide in the Faroe Islands, and it can be difficult to find housing, especially in the capital Tórshavn. There are a few colleges for young people in education.
The newspapers have housing ads, and here you can also advertise for a home.
Facts about the Faroe Islands
Population: 49,500
Language: Faroese
Employment: Unemployment is 4.6% (2012).
Residence permit: Danish citizens do not have to apply for a residence permit
