Words by

Jóhannes Bjarkason

Photo by

Julia Staples

According to a recent compilation made by Registers Iceland, a record number of foreign students were enrolled at the secondary and university levels in 2024, measuring at 9 percent. In 2023, the rate was 8,2 percent. 

Across all education levels, Polish-born students were the most populous, comprising 650 individuals. The second highest number of students came from the U.S., with Filipino and German pupils ranking third and fourth. 

The highest proportion of foreign to native students was at the doctorate level, with 44 percent of PhD students coming from abroad. At the doctorate level, the number of Americans was the highest, comprising 35 students.