Education

Ten years of primary school is mandatory in Greenland. Children start primary school at the age of six. Children from small settlements need to leave their home and move to the nearest town in order to attend 8th-10th grade. Danish is taught as a second language from the first grade on, and English is taught from the lowest grades. After elementary school, about half of the children study one year at a continuation school in Greenland or Denmark.

Only 1 in 7 pupils continue directly to upper secondary education. Many young people have to move to another town to pursue an upper secondary education.

Only four towns have high schools, while most vocational educations are offered at six main vocational colleges. The vocational educations alternate between theoretical classes and practical training as apprenticeships in companies or at the school.

Many young people in Greenland do not attain an upper secondary education. Among the 18-25 year olds, nearly 6 out of 10 have yet to complete, or are still active in, high school or vocational educations.

Greenland´s University, Ilisimatusarfik, is located in the capital Nuuk. It offers 11 bachelor programs and 4 master programs. Short-cycle higher educations are also offered at some vocational schools. As only a few higher educations are offered in Greenland, 30 per cent of the students study abroad. The majority study in Denmark.

Education is free, and students receive a monthly student grant. Apprentices usually receive salary from the apprenticeship. Students that need to move to another town for studies are entitled to a dormitory room.