University of Iceland

About the School of Humanities

The University of Iceland offers diverse academic programmes in the humanities and is the only university in the country offering programmes at all levels within the humanities. The School of Humanities comprises four faculties: Faculty of Foreign Languages and Culture; Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies; Faculty of Icelandic and Comparative Cultural Studies; and Faculty of History and Philosophy. While each faculty constitutes a separate academic unit, students can choose to pursue a subsidiary subject, or individual courses, not only in other programmes within the respective faculty, but also in other faculties, or even at other schools within the university.

"Knowledge is the currency of the future"

14/03/2018 - 16:03

"Knowledge is the currency of the future," said Jón Atli Benediktsson, rector of the University of Iceland, at the graduation of 437 candidates last Saturday. "Research and innovation combined with focused utilization of research results has brought more prosperity and more security to Iceland than anyone could have anticipated. Life expectancy and the standard of living has improved greatly, and opportunities in education and continuing education multiplied. More Icelanders now have the opportunity to find and cultivate their talents and ideals than ever before," said rector and welcomed that the Icelandic government had prioritised education in their government agreement.

First social accelerator launched in Iceland

03/05/2018 - 18:51

The first Icelandic business accelerator for social innovation was launched recently and is now open for applications. The University of Iceland is party to the project.

Dagur B. Eggertsson, Mayor of Reykjavík; Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir, Minister of Industries and Innovation; Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland; Pia Hansson, Director of the Höfði Reykjavík Peace Centre; Fríða Björk Ingvarsdóttir, Rector of the Iceland Academy of the Arts; Þorsteinn Ingi Sigfússon, Director of the Innovation Center Iceland, and Fanney Karlsdóttir; Chair of FESTA - Icelandic Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility, signed a joint collaborative contract on the development and preparation of the accelerator Snjallræði (e. smart idea). Snjallræði will be formally launched at the annual peace conference organised by the Höfði Reykjavík Peace Centre 10 October 2018.

Research on sheep grazing necessary to ensure sustainable vegetation

12/01/2018 - 16:30

Sheep grazing in Iceland affects vegetation, and there are indications that it also increases the extent of open patches. This is revealed in a study from a group of scientists who compiled all available information on the effects of sheep grazing on vegetation, soil properties and other organisms in the rangelands of Iceland. The researchers say that their study highlights the areas where more research is needed in order to ensure sustainable land use.

From the University of Iceland and Landspítali University Hospital regarding the release of the synthetic trachea scandal report by an independent committee

06/11/2017 - 16:00

The extensive report of the independent investigation committee of the University of Iceland and Landspítali University Hospital regarding the synthetic trachea scandal sheds light on the serious circumstances and arrangements at Karolinska University Hospital (KUH) and Karolinska Institutet (KI). By establishing a centre for advanced airway surgery, with a focus on cutting-edge surgical procedures, the lives of three patients at KUH were systematically put at high risk, and all three patients are now deceased.

The first analysis of the Icelandic consumption-based carbon footprint

14/11/2017 - 11:00

A new study conducted by Jukka Heinone, professor at the University of Iceland's Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering shows that the consumption-based carbon footprint in Icelandic homes is similar to those in the European Union, despite Iceland's unique position in energy affairs. Around 71% of household emissions in the world were attributed to imported goods, and the burden of emissions is highest in the developing countries.

Plasticine caterpillars reveal global pattern in predation

19/05/2017 - 13:00

A caterpillar close to the poles has only one-eighth of the chance of being eaten compared to a caterpillar at the Equator. An international team of researchers made this discovery in a new study published in the prestigious scientific journal, Science, on Friday 19 May. The new study deploys “dummy caterpillars” across the world to reveal predation hotspots – and who is behind them. Isabel Barrio, research specialist at the University of Iceland's Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences collaborated in this project.

It is well known that the tropics have many more species than the poles; but do the interactions among species also increase or become stronger closer to the Equator? A new study published in Science says yes, revealing a global pattern of predation on insect herbivores.

New Skills Centre at the University of Iceland

14/11/2016 - 12:00

A new Skills Centre at the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Iceland was launched Thursday 10 November; vastly improving skills teaching at School of Health Sciences. Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector, formally opened the Skills Centre, and at the same occasion a new virtual patient was named.

The space for teaching skills at the Faculty of nursing doubles with the new Centre. Skills teaching for students from most of the faculties in health sciences is planned at the new Centre. The Skills Centre is around 300 m2 and is equipped with high level technology; including computerised virtual patients, a number of simulators, and various venues for interactive teaching. The Skills Centre is situated on the Second floor and in the basement of Eirberg, the building that houses the Faculty of Nursing at Eiríksgata.

University of Iceland joins a dynamic network of European Universities

21/10/2016 - 08:30

Today the University of Iceland joined a cooperative network with eight highly prestigious European Universities. These Universities share a commitment to high quality research, social responsibility and enabling societies to better tackle current global challenges. The network has been named Aurora and was formally launched in Amsterdam today (21 October).

“The new cooperative network ensures close cooperation with very dynamic universities in Europe. This cooperation is crucial to the University of Iceland because it provides increased opportunities for students and staff at the university,” said Jón Atli Benediktssonm, rector of the University of Iceland at the launch of the network in the Netherlands earlier today. “These opportunities include more cooperation in teaching and research and increased possibilities in student and staff exchange, both for academic and administrative staff.”

Sequestering carbon dioxide in basalt is both safe and effective

06/07/2016 - 12:00

The research of Icelandic scientists and their international collaborators shows that it is relatively easy to sequester carbon dioxide into basaltic rock. An experimental project in Hellisheiði geothermal power plant called CarbFix has revealed that it is possible to turn carbon dioxide into solid rock in two years; a process previously believed to take many thousands of years. This suggests that carbon dioxide can be sequestered in a safe and relatively simple manner. Carbon dioxide is one of the main trigger for global warming.

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