Statistics Iceland has collected and published data on registered students in upper secondary schools and universities in autumn 2006. The data are published in the Statistical series Hagtíðindi.

A total of 44,129 students are registered
In the autumn term 2006 there were 44,129 students registered in schools at the upper secondary and tertiary level of education, more than ever before. There were 26,958 registered students at the upper secondary level and 17,171 at the tertiary level. The number of registered students at the tertiary level has increased by 63.6% since the year 2000 and the number of registered students at the upper secondary level has increased by 35.4% (figure 1).

In autumn 2006 81.0% of students were registered for day-time studies, 13.6% were registered for distance learning and 5.4% for evening courses. The number of students in evening courses has been decreasing since 2003 when students registered in evening courses were 8.1% of all registered students. The number of students registered for distance learning has increased considerably since 2005 but only at the upper secondary level (37.6%). At the tertiary level the number of students registered for distance learning has decreased by 5.4% since last year. 

Women outnumber men at the upper secondary and tertiary level
Women outnumber men at both the upper secondary and tertiary level of education. Women are 25,447 (57.7%) of students at both levels while there are 18,682 men registered (42.3%) in autumn 2006. In autumn 2000 the ratio of women to men was 56.3% to 43.7% favouring women. The difference between the sexes observed in 2000 still exists and has even increased slightly in favour of women. The sex difference at the tertiary level is even more noticeable than at the upper secondary level.

In autumn 2006 women are 54.5% of registered students at the upper secondary level while in universities they are 62.7% of registered students. When looking at the University of Iceland alone women outnumber men in 10 of 11 faculties. The faculty of engineering is the only faculty at the University of Iceland were there are more men than women students (70% versus 30%). The greatest difference between the sexes is in the faculty of nursing were women are 96% of registered students and men are 4%. The gender gap is closest in the faculty of economics and the faculty of law (figure 2).

In the Statistical series Hagtíðindi there are key data on the total number of registered students at both the upper secondary and tertiary level from 2000-2006. This publication depicts detailed information about the number of students in each school by line of study, sex and mode of teaching. Data on progress of study are also published.

Students enrolled at the upper secondary and tertiary level in autumn 2006 - Statistical Series

Statistics
   Upper secondary level
   Universities