Education and research on the Faroe Islands

Right up until the 1990s, young people mostly went to primary school in their hometown, after which many moved to Tórshavn to take a secondary education. After that, it was necessary for most to move abroad, mainly to Denmark, to take a higher education. A large proportion of these students never moved back home again.

In the last 20 years, however, significant development has been seen in the field of education. More educational programmes and better facilities have been provided, and many new school buildings have been constructed. In 2020 alone, three new primary schools were inaugurated, and in the 2021/2022 school year, Skúlin á Fløtum in Tórshavn had 873 pupils, á Skúlatrøð in Klaksvík 707 pupils and Skúlin við Streymin in Oyrarbakki had 222 pupils.

Fróðskaparsetur Føroya (University of the Faroe Islands) has expanded its educational programmes since 2008, which has increased the number of students in the Faroe Islands, while the number of Faroese students abroad has stagnated. In 2019, for the first time, there were more Faroese students in the Faroe Islands than there were in Denmark.

The language of instruction is Faroese throughout the education system. Books and other teaching material for primary schools are produced by the publishing house Nám, which also publishes some for upper secondary education.

At the university, some courses are taught in English. This is partly because the teachers are of foreign origin and do not speak Faroese, and partly because there is an increasing need to offer selected courses and educational programmes in English.

In 1988, the Faroe Islands established an independent educational support system administered by Stuðulsstovnurin, from 2010 called Studni. Students in secondary education and higher education can get scholarships and loans. As Danish citizens, Faroese students are entitled to support under the Danish State Grant and Loan Scheme in Denmark and in other countries. In addition, they can get an annual travel grant from Studni. As non-EU citizens, students who want to study outside the Nordic countries pay a higher tuition fee than Danish students. Studni can provide support for part of this tuition fee. All schools and educational institutions fall within Uttanríkis- og mentamálaráðið (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Culture), which includes education, research, culture and, since 2019, also foreign affairs. In 2018, the Undirvísingarstýrið (Department of Education) was established under the Uttanríkis- og mentamálaðiráð. The department has administrative responsibility for the primary school and parts of the youth education programmes. In addition, Studni, Musikskúlaskipanin and Yrkisdepilin are also part of the department.

Primary school

Primary school is compulsory from 1st to 9th grade, while 10th grade is offered to all pupils. Pre-school classes can be established as an offer upon application from municipalities, and they are found especially in the large schools. In 2021, there were about 40 schools whose number of pupils ranged from one to 850. There is a total of around 7,000 pupils in primary school, including private independent schools and special school offers.

Primary school is regulated by law from 1997. Undirvísingarstýrið has the financial responsibility for school managers and teachers, while the municipalities have responsibility for school buildings, other employees and operating expenses. Traditionally, there have been schools in all villages and towns. In line with greater demands on schools and teaching as well as good infrastructure, several small schools have been closed down. Several small schools today have 1st-7th grade, while the oldest pupils take 8th-10th grade at a larger school. The trend towards larger school units has been particularly evident in the last ten years.

There are special educational offers at most medium-sized and large schools with professional support from Sernám. Skúlin á Trøðni has special education for students aged 7‑18 from all over the country.

There are a few private independent schools, and they are regulated by the act on private independent schools from 2002.

Youth education programmes

Upper secondary and vocational programmes are offered in Klaksvík, Kambsdal, Vestmanna, Tórshavn and Hov. In addition to several upper secondary schools and higher preparatory examination (HF), a number of vocational programmes are offered in technology, construction, transport, office, trade, finance, food, service and health. A special music line is also offered in preparation for the music conservatory.

Upper secondary education with a view to the upper-secondary school leaving examination started when in 1937, the Løgting established a two-year upper secondary course in Tórshavn, which was changed to a three-year upper secondary education in 1959. After 25 years in temporary premises in the town, the new high school moved to Hoydalar in 1962, where the old tuberculosis sanatorium, together with a new school building that was put into use in 1963, became the setting for the high school Studentaskúlin í Hoydølum. From 1974, it also became possible to take higher preparatory examination (HF), and the school changed its name to Føroya Studentaskúli og HF-skeið.

The theoretical part of the apprenticeship programmes started in 1935 as evening classes, but from 1960 it was changed to day classes at the two technical colleges in Tórshavn and Klaksvík. Both colleges had boarding houses. Føroya Handilsskúli (Faroe Islands Business College) was established in 1967 and got new premises on the outskirts of Tórshavn in 1984. In addition to the more practical business education programmes, it is also possible to complete an upper secondary business education.

After a long period of political consideration, it was decided in 2013 to bring together the theoretical part of apprenticeship programmes and the various upper secondary educations in one and the same educational institution, Glasir – Tórshavn College, which also offers higher vocational education in collaboration with CBS in Copenhagen.

Shorter educational courses are available in the form of continuation schools, public folk high schools and home economics schools. There are 14 music schools in the music school system, which offer lessons for children and young people up to 25 years of age.

Higher education

Fróðskaparsetur Føroya is the Faroe Islands’ only university. In 2008, Fróðskaparsetur Føroya, Læraraskúlin (Teachers’ School, which has existed since 1870 and has also trained social education workers since 1990) and Sjúkrarøktarfrøðiskúlin (Nursing School established in 1960) merged into one institution with five faculties with research and researchbased education at bachelor’s and master’s level, in addition to individually tailored PhD programmes. In addition, minor subjects are offered in individual subject areas as well as a number of individual courses and continuing education. It has about. 1,000 students and 150 employed man-years.

Glasir offers a number of academy profession and diploma programmes, some of which in collaboration with foreign institutions.

Research

Research is currently being carried out in a number of institutions and companies. The focus is particularly on marine research, aquaculture and health, but research is also carried out in other areas such as social science, humanities, environment and resources.

Havstovan is the largest sector research institution with a strong marine research environment and international network. It has participated in large European projects for many years. Fiskaaling is organised as a limited liability company and works closely with the aquaculture industry on research projects.

Deildin fyri Arbeiðs- og Almannaheilsu is the leading research institution in the field of health with a longstanding focus on the health effects of pollution in the sea on children and young people. Most of the research is financed via project grants. With the FarGen project, Ílegusavnið is building a national genetic infrastructure. Landssjúkrahúsið has a number of research projects, most of which are PhD projects. Since 2016, the institutions have gathered research in the health field in a centre under the leadership of Fróðskaparsetur Føroya.

Fróðskaparsetur Føroya is the largest research institution with the broadest research portfolio. Most resources is used in the field of education, but in recent years there has been an increased focus on research in selected areas.

In addition to these, the following sector research institutions exist: Jarðfeingi, Umhvørvisstovan, Heilsufrøðiliga Starvsstovan, Búnaðarstovan, Tjóðsavnið, Tjóðskjalasavnið and Landsbókasavnið. The university cooperates with the other institutions on both education and research.

Since 1996, the university has educated PhD candidates in several areas. Some are employed at the university, while others work in research institutions and companies and are enrolled at the university. Several Faroese PhD candidates are also enrolled at foreign universities, especially in Denmark, Norway and the UK. Some of these work at Faroese institutions and companies during the PhD programme. Until 1996, more than 30 Faroese had defended their Ph.D. or other obtained another doctoral degree. Since then, the number has increased to about 250, corresponding to 10‑15 new candidates annually.

Research councils and research and innovation funds

A new act on advice and support for research and innovation entered into force on 1 January 2021. The act introduced a national strategic council for research and innovation, set new frameworks for funds for research and innovation and strengthened coordination of national and international research collaboration.

The Granskingarráðið (Research Council Faroe Islands) was established as an advisory body in 1996. In 2002, the Granskingarráði became independent and annually distributes an average of DKK 7.5 million for research projects with relevance for the country. Particular priority is given to PhD projects. The Granskingarráðið has also managed other research pools, most recently DKK 25 million from the Danish Finance Act for marine research in the North Atlantic.

In 2001, Fiskivinnuroyndir (Fisheries Research Fund of the Faroe Islands) was established with funds for distribution in the fisheries area. These are mainly distributed to development projects, but also to research projects. The appropriation has varied quite a bit and is now DKK 6.5 million annually. In 2017, a fisheries fund was established, and DKK 13.5 million was injected as base capital. For now, the fund is not active.

Vinnuframagrunnurin (later Vinnuframi, fund for promotion of trade and industry) was established in 2001. One of its main tasks is to distribute funds for industrial innovation projects.

In 2014, the Granskingarráðið was given DKK 28 million by law from the private health funds which had been closed a few years earlier. Just under DKK 20 million was distributed in the period 2014‑20 to research projects and smaller projects in the health field. DKK 8.5 million was granted for a Centre for Health Research under Fróðskaparsetur Føroya with researchers from Fróðskaparsetur Føroya, Deildin fyri Arbeiðs- og Almannaheilsu, Landssjúkrahúsið and later Ílegusavnið.

International collaboration

Traditionally, Faroese researchers have collaborated with researchers in not only the Nordic countries, but also in the rest of Europe and the USA. Most have completed all or part of their studies abroad and therefore have a strong international network. In recent years, international collaboration has been strengthened significantly through the Faroe Islands’ participation in European research and innovation partnerships. In 2010, the EU and the Faroe Islands entered into a bilateral agreement on participation in the seventh framework programme FP7. In 2014, an agreement was reached on continued participation in Horizon 2020. At the beginning of 2021, the new seven-year programme Horizon Europe took effect, in which the Faroe Islands also participate. Several institutions and companies have participated in projects with funding from the EU research collaboration.

Research infrastructure

Over time, the research institutions have each built up infrastructures for the respective research areas. This includes e.g. archives and collections of documents, samples, objects and images, health cohorts, a range of thematic databases and laboratory equipment.

The trawler Magnus Heinason, built in 1978, was converted into a marine research vessel in 1981 and was in operation until the end of 2020. It was replaced by Jákup Sverri, which is the first ship built for marine research around the Faroe Islands.

In 2009, the iNOVA research park was established in a disused industrial building. It has laboratory and office facilities for research and innovation. The funds for conversion and establishment came from Vinnuframi. iNOVA is run as a limited liability company, owned by public and private actors.

Research institutions

• Búnaðarstovan – the Agricultural Agency
• Deildin fyri Arbeiðs- and Almannaheilsu – the Department of Occupational
  Medicine and Public Health
• Fiskaaling – Aquaculture Research Station
• Fróðskaparsetur Føroya – University of the Faroe Islands
• Havstovan (formerly Fiskirannsóknarstovan) – the Faroe Marine Research Institute
• Heilsufrøðiliga Starvsstovan – the Faroese Food and Veterinary Authority
• Ílegusavnið – Genetic Biobank
• iNOVA – Research Park iNOVA
• Jarðfeingi – the Faroese Geological Survey
• Landsbókasavnið – the National Library of the Faroe Islands
• Landssjúkrahúsið – the National Hospital of the Faroe Islands
• Tjóðsavnið (formerly Fornminnissavnið, Náttúrugripasavnið and Jarðfrøðisavnið) – The Faroe Islands National Museum
• Tjóðskjalasavnið (formerly Landsskjalasavnið) – the Faroese National Archives
• Umhvørvisstovan – the Faroese Environment Agency

Further reading

• Agriculture on the Faroe Islands
• Bakkafrost
• Energy supply on the Faroe Islands
• Government and constitution on the Faroe Islands
• Health and care on the Faroe Islands
• Hiddenfjord
• Industry and labour market on the Faroe Islands
• Municipalities on the Faroe Islands
• Politics and plans on the Faroe Islands
• Population and housing on the Faroe Islands
• Salmon farming on the Faroe Islands
• Salt on the Faroe Islands
• Shipping Company Varðin
• The fishing industry on the Faroe Islands
• Veltan
• Wind Turbines on the Faroe Islands

Read more about Society and business on the Faroe Islands