Students who have completed 9th or 10th grade at lower secondary school or a foreign equivalent degree may attend one of the Faroese upper secondary schools or vocational schools for free.
There are five upper secondary schools in the Faroe Islands - in Tórshavn, Klaksvik, Kambsdalur, Vestmanna and Suðuroy.
Upper secondary school takes three years and provides access to institutions of higher education. Students can choose between a mathematical, a linguistic, a technical, a business, or a natural resources line of study.
Adults who wish to take a higher education can attend a 2 years´ Higher Preparatory course (HF).
It is also possible to take a basic year of commercial or technical study after which the student can either enter an apprenticeship or continue at the school for two more years and pass an examination which provides access to institutions of higher education.
Finally, there are maritime schools in Tórshavn and Klaksvík offering studies to become a shipmaster or a marine engineer. And in Suðuroy there is a college of social and health care offering studies to become a health care assistant or an assistant nurse.
The diplomas awarded by the Faroese secondary schools are equivalent to those awarded in the Danish educational system.