Iceland

⇑Universities

Iceland is small, and so is the choice of institutions. The official Study in Iceland portal, run by the Icelandic Centre for Research (Rannís), lists 7 universities:

• University of Iceland (Háskóli Íslands) in Reykjavík,
• Reykjavik University,
• University of Akureyri,
• Agricultural University of Iceland,
• Hólar University,
• Iceland University of the Arts,
• Bifröst University.

Some of them are public and charge no tuition fees; the private ones charge higher fees.

Universities in Iceland – profiles

⇑Study system

Iceland follows the Bologna system:

• Bachelor (BA, BS) – 3 years,
• Master – 2 years,
• Doctorate.

For a bachelor's programme you need a certificate equivalent to the Icelandic matriculation examination (stúdentspróf) or another certificate at an equivalent level. The university's admissions office will confirm whether your certificate is recognised. Each faculty sets its own requirements for master's and doctoral programmes and lists them in the course catalogue.

An interesting option is Icelandic as a Second Language – the University of Iceland offers it as a bachelor's degree (BA) and as a shorter practical diploma.

Iceland – bachelor's programmes
Iceland – integrated (single-cycle) programmes
Iceland – master's programmes
Iceland – doctoral programmes

⇑Admission

There is no central admission system – you apply directly to the university, and each one sets its own deadlines and requirements.

Deadlines at the University of Iceland:

• international applicants for bachelor's and master's programmes – by 1 February,
• applicants already living in Iceland – by 15 April for master's and by 5 June for bachelor's programmes,
• Icelandic as a Second Language – applications from 1 March to 20 May,
• doctoral programmes – deadlines are set by the faculties.

Once you are admitted to the University of Iceland, you must pay the registration fee by 4 July. You can still pay late, until 12 August, but with a surcharge of ISK 15,000.

If you come from outside the EEA, the early deadline matters: you will need your admission to apply for a residence permit, and the Directorate of Immigration asks for applications by 1 May for the autumn semester (see: Residence and formalities). The University of Iceland also charges non-EEA applicants a one-off processing fee of ISK 20,000.

Other universities may have different deadlines – check the website of your chosen institution.

⇑Entrance exams

Most programmes have no entrance exams – you just need to meet the formal requirements. The exceptions at the University of Iceland are:

• medicine, dentistry and physiotherapy – entrance exam in June,
• nursing and dental technology – exam in December,
• Icelandic as a Second Language – a special placement exam.

Some master's programmes have a limited number of places.

⇑Language

Teaching is mainly in Icelandic, but the number of programmes taught in English is growing – especially at master's level.

If English is not your first language, the university may ask for a TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score. The required level is given in the programme description.

If you want to study in Icelandic or stay in Iceland for longer, start by learning the language. The University of Iceland offers a bachelor's degree and a practical diploma in Icelandic as a Second Language, and every year the Icelandic government funds scholarships for foreigners to learn Icelandic (see: Scholarships).

⇑Residence and formalities

EU/EEA citizens don't need a visa. If you stay in Iceland for more than 3 months, you register your residence with Registers Iceland (Þjóðskrá) – no later than 3 months after arrival. If you stay longer than 6 months, registration is compulsory.

You fill in form A-271 online and, after arrival, visit the office with your passport or ID card. You need:

• confirmation that you are studying at an accredited institution,
• a declaration that you have enough money to support yourself,
• proof that you have full health insurance for your whole stay or at least for the first 6 months.

Documents must be in Icelandic or English – others need a certified translation. Processing takes up to 10 working days, and once registered you get an Icelandic identification number, the kennitala.

Students from outside the EEA need a residence permit for students from the Directorate of Immigration (Útlendingastofnun). You must be enrolled full-time (30 ECTS per semester). The application is submitted on paper – by post or at the Directorate's office in Kópavogur – and the processing fee is ISK 70,000. If you need a visa to enter Iceland, you must not be in Iceland while your application is being processed. To get a decision before the semester starts, apply by 1 May for the autumn semester or by 1 October for the spring semester. You will need, among other things, a valid passport, confirmation of enrolment, a criminal record certificate, health insurance with cover of at least ISK 2,000,000 and proof of means of support – from 18 May 2026 ISK 259,951 a month. The permit is granted for up to one year and can be renewed.

Health insurance: after you register your residence, there is usually a 3-month wait before you are covered by Icelandic health insurance. If you were insured in another EEA country, you may get it sooner – bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to cover the start. Students from outside the EEA need private insurance at least for this period.

⇑Tuition fees

Public universities don't charge tuition fees, but there is a compulsory registration fee. At the University of Iceland it is ISK 100,000 for the academic year 2026/27 (previously ISK 75,000). If you start in the spring semester, you pay ISK 75,000. The fee is non-refundable.

This will change for students from outside the EEA: the government has allowed public universities to charge them tuition fees from the autumn semester of 2027. The amounts have not been set yet and may differ between programmes. According to the University of Iceland, students who start in autumn 2026, doctoral students and holders of a permanent residence permit are exempt. EU/EEA citizens are not affected.

Private universities charge higher fees – check the amount on the website of your chosen institution.

⇑Accommodation and living costs

Iceland is expensive. The European Commission's portal estimates a student budget at €1,300–1,900 a month, depending on your lifestyle and housing.

Housing:

• University of Iceland students can apply for a room in the residences run by Félagsstofnun stúdenta (Icelandic Student Services),
• near Keflavík Airport, on the site of the former NATO base, flats are rented out by the Keilir centre,
• your university's international office can help you look for accommodation – contact it as soon as you are admitted.

Without a place in a student residence, you will have to rent privately. In that case, check whether you are entitled to housing benefit.

⇑Scholarships

There are few scholarships for a full degree in Iceland. The main options are:

• Icelandic government scholarships – every year the Ministry of Education awards scholarships to foreigners to study Icelandic language, literature and history at the University of Iceland. The programme is run by the Árni Magnússon Institute,
• university scholarships – the University of Iceland and Reykjavik University, among others, have their own scholarships,
• Erasmus+ – a semester or a year in Iceland as part of an exchange with your home university.

You will find an up-to-date list of scholarships on study.iceland.is.

⇑Working while studying

EU/EEA citizens don't need a work permit in Iceland – you can also work while studying.

Students from outside the EEA with a residence permit for students may work up to 60% of full-time while studying, without a separate work permit. The limit does not apply to work during scheduled breaks between terms or to work that is part of a formal traineeship or internship.

The kennitala number is used to identify you in all official matters, so register as soon as possible after you arrive. You will find more about working in Iceland on work.iceland.is; ask your university's careers service about jobs for students.

Iceland – why work there?
How to find a job abroad?

⇑Useful links

• Study in Europe – Iceland – the official country profile on the European Commission's portal,
• Study in Iceland – Rannís's official portal: institutions, scholarships, life in Iceland,
• University of Iceland – programmes, admission and fees at the University of Iceland,
• Registers Iceland – residence registration and the kennitala number,
• Directorate of Immigration – residence permit for students – requirements and application for students from outside the EEA,
• Ísland.is – the government services portal: health insurance and official matters,
• work.iceland.is – working in Iceland,
• ENIC-NARIC – recognition of qualifications in Europe,
• Eurodesk – free information on studying, traineeships and volunteering in Europe.