The University of Iceland was established 17th June 1911, on the centenary of the national hero of Iceland, 19th century Icelandic statesman Jón Sigurðsson, usually referred to as "president". Between 13 and 14 thousand students attend the university, both in undergraduate and graduate studies.
The Iceland Academy of the Arts is comprised of five departments: the Department of Art Education, the Department of Design and Architecture, the Department of Fine Arts, the Department of Music and the Department of Theatre. In addition, the Academy operates a special programme within the Department of Music for secondary level students. Special sets of rules apply to this program.