Traditionally, the Arctic region has been viewed with an ‘outsider’ lens (ie by southern-based researchers, and investors; by state capitals located far from the region, and others), and this in turn has impacted the evolution of Arctic studies to date.
In this programme, the Arctic region itself is the point of departure. The programme therefore challenges outmoded approaches to studying the Arctic and creates the conceptual and practical space for new Arctic thinking and knowledge to emerge.
The programme is 30 ECTS and is made up of mandatory and elective courses. The programme is organised as one semester of full-time study, though it is possible to complete it over a longer period.
The programme is taught in English and textbooks are in English, meaning that students must be proficient in English.
On completion, students will have developed their knowledge and critical thinking skills to an advanced level, enabling them to reach cogent and insightful conclusions based on well-argued, hard evidence. Such an academic profile is essential in a range of roles, including:
Completing a micro-credential programme with a first-class grade grants a student access to Master's programmes at the Faculty of Political Science.
BA, B.Ed., BS degree or equivalent qualification. All international applicants, whose native language is not English, are required to provide results of the TOEFL (79) or IELTS (6.5) tests as evidence of English proficiency.
30 ECTS need to be completed. Students complete 24 ECTS in mandatory courses and 6 ECTS in arctic studies electives.
Further information on supporting documents can be found here
Check below to see how the programme is structured.
This programme does not offer specialisations.
This course provides students with an introduction to the major approaches and theories of International Relations. Students are introduced to the aims of theory, theoretical frameworks - rationalist vs reflectivist - as well as the main theories themselves. How the theories can be applied in practice is also examined.
Theory aims to identify broad patterns and draw wider conclusions from a series of discrete moments in international affairs, in order to generate greater insight into, and meaning from, our world. With this in mind, this course explores the various ‘great debates’ that have emerged over time between and among theories of international relations, as well as more recent contributions. How theories can be used to interpret and understand world affairs will be demonstrated throughout the course, drawing on real-life case studies.
This course examines the aims, interests, opportunities, and challenges of states, non-state actors, regional fora, and international organizations in a changing Arctic region. With a focus on policy, politics, and current issues, it analyses the contemporary dilemmas posed by Arctic governance, cooperation, and imaginaries of the region.
Building on the fundamentals taught in ‘Introduction to Arctic Studies’, this course investigates the Arctic policies of the ‘Arctic Eight’ states, as well as states located outside the region. Five of the ‘Arctic Eight’ are Nordic small states, and so this angle is also considered. The role and achievements of other relevant entities such as the Arctic Council, the Arctic Coast Guard Forum, NATO, the EU, and the UN is also analyzed. The course has an international focus and provides an in-depth examination of the major political contours in today’s Arctic
This course provides an introduction to ideas, concepts and approaches used within Arctic Studies for understanding the Arctic region. It opens with an overview of the basics of today’s Arctic, then turns to the contributions made by both the conventional and critical Arctic Studies literature. The key narratives of the Arctic are explored in depth, as are core ideas such as Arctic governance, security, sovereignty/sovereignties, and exceptionalism. The challenges and opportunities presented by these different approaches are also examined.
The aim of the course is to provide students with a thorough grounding in the overall field of Arctic Studies, in order to deepen their knowledge and understanding of a rapidly changing region that remains a high priority for Iceland. The course is designed to complement the more policy/practice-focussed course ASK113F Arctic Politics in International Context.
The aim of this course is to develop skills in analyzing and discussing international cooperation and in particular, Iceland´s role in global affairs. Globalization from an historical and theoretical perspective is presented and the influence of globalization on politics, economics, states and individuals discussed. The foreign policy of Iceland is analyzed with an emphasis on the current priorities. Iceland´s role in the international system in relation to the current challenges is presented with an emphasis on security and defence matters, Arctic issues and Nordic cooperation. European integration will be explored relating to Iceland´s choices in European affairs, with a particular focus on the effects of the EEA agreement in Iceland. Moreover, Iceland´s UN participation and campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council will be covered.
Historical and historiographical survey of major topics in the history of the medieval North, with special emphasis on Iceland and Norway from the Viking Age into the fourteenth century. Topics include: Power, kingship and state; law and feud; kinship, gender and social ties; religious and mental outlook(s); conversion, Christianity and church; economic conditions. Prior knowledge of the “factual” narrative (textbook narrative) is helpful but not necessary.
Students are given the opportunity to work on an individual project under the supervision of permanent teachers at the department. Subjects and reading materials are jointly decided by the teacher and the student. The student takes the initiative to contact the teacher with whom he wishes to work on the project.
The Arctic is expected to become more important in the coming decades as climate change makes natural resources and transport routes more accessible creating threats to fragile ecosystems and societies as well as economic opportunities. Satellite data collected since 1979 shows that both the thickness of the ice in the Arctic and range of sea ice have decreased substantially, especially during the summer months. The melting of the ice facilitates natural resource exploration in the high north. U.S. Geological Survey estimates from 2008 suggest that 13 percent of the world's undiscovered oil and 30 percent of undiscovered natural gas reserves are located in the Arctic Circle. Moreover, the retreating and thinning of the ice opens up new trade routes.
The Arctic Circle Assembly is designed to increase participation in Arctic dialogue and strengthen the international focus on the future of the Arctic. The Arctic Circle Assembly will contain sessions on a wide variety of topics, such as:
This course enables and relies on the participation of UoI graduate and advanced undergraduate students in the Arctic Circle Assembly conference in Harpa, Reykjavik. Students are required to attend the Arctic Circle Assembly. Students have to attend one class shortly before the Assembly and one class shortly after the Assembly.
Arctic Circle Assembly, October 17 - 19th 2024 in Harpa, Reykjavík
Students need to pay the student registration fee to the conference, but receive a discount.
This course provides students with an introduction to the major approaches and theories of International Relations. Students are introduced to the aims of theory, theoretical frameworks - rationalist vs reflectivist - as well as the main theories themselves. How the theories can be applied in practice is also examined.
Theory aims to identify broad patterns and draw wider conclusions from a series of discrete moments in international affairs, in order to generate greater insight into, and meaning from, our world. With this in mind, this course explores the various ‘great debates’ that have emerged over time between and among theories of international relations, as well as more recent contributions. How theories can be used to interpret and understand world affairs will be demonstrated throughout the course, drawing on real-life case studies.
This course examines the aims, interests, opportunities, and challenges of states, non-state actors, regional fora, and international organizations in a changing Arctic region. With a focus on policy, politics, and current issues, it analyses the contemporary dilemmas posed by Arctic governance, cooperation, and imaginaries of the region.
Building on the fundamentals taught in ‘Introduction to Arctic Studies’, this course investigates the Arctic policies of the ‘Arctic Eight’ states, as well as states located outside the region. Five of the ‘Arctic Eight’ are Nordic small states, and so this angle is also considered. The role and achievements of other relevant entities such as the Arctic Council, the Arctic Coast Guard Forum, NATO, the EU, and the UN is also analyzed. The course has an international focus and provides an in-depth examination of the major political contours in today’s Arctic
This course provides an introduction to ideas, concepts and approaches used within Arctic Studies for understanding the Arctic region. It opens with an overview of the basics of today’s Arctic, then turns to the contributions made by both the conventional and critical Arctic Studies literature. The key narratives of the Arctic are explored in depth, as are core ideas such as Arctic governance, security, sovereignty/sovereignties, and exceptionalism. The challenges and opportunities presented by these different approaches are also examined.
The aim of the course is to provide students with a thorough grounding in the overall field of Arctic Studies, in order to deepen their knowledge and understanding of a rapidly changing region that remains a high priority for Iceland. The course is designed to complement the more policy/practice-focussed course ASK113F Arctic Politics in International Context.
The aim of this course is to develop skills in analyzing and discussing international cooperation and in particular, Iceland´s role in global affairs. Globalization from an historical and theoretical perspective is presented and the influence of globalization on politics, economics, states and individuals discussed. The foreign policy of Iceland is analyzed with an emphasis on the current priorities. Iceland´s role in the international system in relation to the current challenges is presented with an emphasis on security and defence matters, Arctic issues and Nordic cooperation. European integration will be explored relating to Iceland´s choices in European affairs, with a particular focus on the effects of the EEA agreement in Iceland. Moreover, Iceland´s UN participation and campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council will be covered.
Historical and historiographical survey of major topics in the history of the medieval North, with special emphasis on Iceland and Norway from the Viking Age into the fourteenth century. Topics include: Power, kingship and state; law and feud; kinship, gender and social ties; religious and mental outlook(s); conversion, Christianity and church; economic conditions. Prior knowledge of the “factual” narrative (textbook narrative) is helpful but not necessary.
Students are given the opportunity to work on an individual project under the supervision of permanent teachers at the department. Subjects and reading materials are jointly decided by the teacher and the student. The student takes the initiative to contact the teacher with whom he wishes to work on the project.
The Arctic is expected to become more important in the coming decades as climate change makes natural resources and transport routes more accessible creating threats to fragile ecosystems and societies as well as economic opportunities. Satellite data collected since 1979 shows that both the thickness of the ice in the Arctic and range of sea ice have decreased substantially, especially during the summer months. The melting of the ice facilitates natural resource exploration in the high north. U.S. Geological Survey estimates from 2008 suggest that 13 percent of the world's undiscovered oil and 30 percent of undiscovered natural gas reserves are located in the Arctic Circle. Moreover, the retreating and thinning of the ice opens up new trade routes.
The Arctic Circle Assembly is designed to increase participation in Arctic dialogue and strengthen the international focus on the future of the Arctic. The Arctic Circle Assembly will contain sessions on a wide variety of topics, such as:
This course enables and relies on the participation of UoI graduate and advanced undergraduate students in the Arctic Circle Assembly conference in Harpa, Reykjavik. Students are required to attend the Arctic Circle Assembly. Students have to attend one class shortly before the Assembly and one class shortly after the Assembly.
Arctic Circle Assembly, October 17 - 19th 2024 in Harpa, Reykjavík
Students need to pay the student registration fee to the conference, but receive a discount.
Changes may occur for the autumn semester in August and September and for the spring semester in December and January. You will find your final timetable in Ugla when the studies start.
Note! This timetable is not suitable for planning your work schedule if you are a part-time employee.
The University of Iceland collaborates with over 400 universities worldwide. This provides a unique opportunity to pursue part of your studies at an international university thus gaining added experience and fresh insight into your field of study.
Students generally have the opportunity to join an exchange programme, internship, or summer courses. However, exchanges are always subject to faculty approval.
Students have the opportunity to have courses evaluated as part of their studies at the University of Iceland, so their stay does not have to affect the duration of their studies.
After graduation students often find work in:
Others go on to complete a Master's degree.
This list is not exhaustive.
There is no specific student organisation for this programme, but students meet frequently in the Student Cellar.
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If you still have questions, feel free to contact us.
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