The University of Iceland, the biggest  and oldest university in the country, was established 17th June 1911. The University of Iceland offers nearly four hundred undergraduate and graduate degree programmes. The university is organised into five academic schools, and 25 faculties. Research-based graduate studies are offered in several disciplines. There are around 40 research institutes. A large number of research findings by scientists and academics based at the University of Iceland have been considered ground-breaking in their respective fields. The number of students is currently around 15,000.

How to apply

Students who enrol at the University of Iceland shall have completed a matriculation examination or a foreign equivalent.
In general, teaching at the University of Iceland is in Icelandic. Several faculties offer some courses taught in English, see courses taught in English. Further information on programmes and courses is available in the course catalog.
The deadline for international students (other than exchange students) to apply for undergraduate and graduate studies is 1st February each year. Students from the Nordic countries are excepted and may apply for undergraduate studies until 5th June (with the exception of Icelandic for foreign students, for which the deadline is 1st February). Further information regarding studying in Iceland is available on the website of the Office of International Education.
The annual registration fee for the University of Iceland is ISK 45,000.
Application form – international students (PDF form)
Graduate studies application

Student Scholarships and Exchanges

The necessary information, including links to forms and regulations, is accessed by clicking on the name of each fund. Further information is provided by Sverrir Guðmundsson, Division of Science and Research, phone: +354 525 4352, email: sverrirg@hi.is
Overview of application deadlines for University of Iceland funds:
Assistantship Fund of The University of Iceland
The goal of the Assistantship Fund is to allow lecturers to hire students to assist them with research and/or teaching, thereby giving students training and skills in professional work practices. The application deadlines are 10th December for the spring semester and 10th August for the autumn semester.

Research Fund – Doctoral grants
Those eligible to apply include tenured lecturers or specialists working at the University of Iceland, who fulfil those requirements made of doctoral supervisors. It is also possible to apply after cooperation between supervisor and student commences. The application deadline is 10th October.

Research Fund – Travel grants
Travel grants for master’s and doctoral students at the University of Iceland. The grants are intended for attending conferences. The application deadline is 1st March.

Productivity Evaluation – Productivity Evaluation Fund and The Writing and Research Fund for Professors
University of Iceland staff who have a research obligation must submit a report on their research activities before 1st February (professors) and 1st March (The Union of University Teachers). Reports must be signed; a paper copy shall be submitted to the Division of Science and Research office in the UI Main Building, and an electronic copy to roj@hi.is.

Eimskip University Fund
Those eligible to apply include doctoral students at the University of Iceland and tenured lecturers and specialists at the University of Iceland, who fulfil the requirements made of doctoral supervisors. In special instances mater’s students may apply for a grant. The application deadline is 10th October.

University of Iceland Research Fund Grants for Postdoctoral fellows
Grants intended for postdoctoral fellows working at the University of Iceland, who have completed their doctorate within the last five years. Those eligible are postdoctoral fellows in temporary project research positions. The application deadline is 1st March.

University of Iceland Research Position Grants
Research Position Grants are intended for researchers who have completed their doctorate in the last five years, and are granted for a period of up to three years. Eligible grant applicants include University of Iceland academic staff in cooperation with a postdoctoral fellow.
UI partners with institutions through Nordplus in the Nordic and Baltic regions, through Erasmus in Europe, through Isep and Maui net in the United States, through Crepuq net in Canada, through Aen net in Australia, as well as through many bilateral agreements with individual universities across the globe.
For further information please contact the Office of International Education: ask@hi.is – +354 525 4311
University of Iceland
Sæmundargötu 2
101 Reykjavík
Telephone 525 4000
Fax 552 1331
Kt. 600169-2039

Official Website