Iceland is fast becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Not only is the higher education system modern and well developed, you will also get to study in a beautiful and scenic country. Very sparsely populated and covering only 40,000 square miles, Iceland just touches the Arctic Circle. Known as the ‘land of ice and fire’, Iceland has 24 hour periods of daylight in the summer and darkness in the winter. The subarctic climate will provide you with a unique experience, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Any international student choosing Iceland can guarantee that they will have a fantastic time in the wonderful and welcoming country.
There are many notable higher education institutions located in Iceland. The oldest institution was founded in 1911, meaning that you will be getting a modern and up to date education. You will find very few traditional and outdated practices, with the institutions aiming to use only the most relevant teaching methods. This equips you for the 21st century labour market, and focuses on your employability. Whilst all universities are authorised by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, they do have freedom over the content of their courses. This means that a course by the same name at two separate institutions may teach very differently.
You will find seven universities in Iceland. Three of these are private, and the remaining four are public universities. The two largest universities are located in the capital city, Reykjavík. There are around 18,000 students enrolled throughout all of the institutions, with 5% of these being international students. Higher education institutions in Iceland are aiming to increase their international student intake, so are extremely welcoming.
Icelandic institutions offer courses in many different fields, but there are some that specialise. For example, the Agricultural University of Iceland is a research focused institution, offering courses in agriculture and environmental sciences. There will be a course for everyone in Iceland, so take a look and see what there is for you!
International students will need to obtain a residence permit in order to study in Iceland. For more information about this, see our Iceland Student Visa Guide.
Coastal Communities and Regional Development Master Degree
University Centre of the Westfjords Iceland
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Natural and Natural Sciences Diploma University Diploma, Diploma
University of Akureyri Iceland
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| Capital City | Reykjavík |
|---|---|
| Currency | ISK, Icelandic Króna |
| Language(s) | Icelandic |
| Universities on StudyLink | 5 universities |
| Major Student Cities | Akureyri |
The official and national language of Iceland is Icelandic.
The majority of the population is fluent in English, so communicating with people shouldn’t be difficult. It is recommended however, that you try to learn as much Icelandic as possible. This will help with your everyday life, as well as being a great skill to display on your CV/resume.
If you wish to learn some Icelandic before your arrival in the country, there are many different options. You can pay for a tutor, take a university language course, or use online resources. Icelandic Online is an online language course run by the University of Iceland and is completely free.
Many courses are taught in English, due to the increasing number of international students choosing Iceland. Whether you choose to study in English or Icelandic, you will need to provide proof of your proficiency. If you do not meet the required standards, it is common for institutions to offer language courses to help you to improve.
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