Upper secondary educational institutions in Iceland have more freedom than the primary and lower secondary schools to provide organisational variations and alternative structures. The framework allowing for those variations and alternative structures is set with the National Curriculum Guide for Upper Secondary Schools, of 2011. Approved independent upper secondary schools may, among others, provide education programmes on an international basis or provide upper secondary education in combination with top-level arts or music or another subject profile. 

Out of around 40 schools offering upper secondary education in Iceland in 2023, 38 offer a comprehensive education leading to matriculation, which normally lasts three years, although many need up to one more year for completion of matriculation. Many of the schools offer also paths or programs leading to VET examination or a mix of matriculation and VET. Matriculation is needed for HEI studies in most cases. 

In the school year 2023-2024, one upper secondary school offered international IB matriculation programme, taught in English.  See link to the school in question here.

Pupils with special needs or pupils that are admitted to an institution for a longer period of time are facilitated with their needs met on individual bases and in cooperation with the pupil’s municipality and the health authorities.