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.

The University of Akureyri is located in the capital of north Iceland and has served Akureyri and its rural surrounding since 1987. The university has built a reputation for academic excellence and good industrial relations. The university was founded in September 1987 with the establishment of faculties in health sciences and industrial management and today is divided into three faculties; Faculty of Business and Science, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Faculty of Health Sciences. The number of students is around 1450 and members of staff are around 180.

Private Reykjavik University is a center for international teaching and research collaboration across the Atlantic. The Reykjavik University also offers programs for executives, specialists and students outside traditional undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programs. Around 400 teachers currently work at the school in addition to almost 40 guest lecturers from foreign countries.