Since 2022, the number of applications for study at the University of Iceland from students outside the EEA has grown enormously. In 2022, there were 1,108 such applications, while in 2025, there were 2,471. This is a 123% increase. This academic year, 30% of the applications were accepted, a similar proportion as in recent years. Most applications are from the Philippines, the USA, Nigeria, and Ghana. Notably, 18% of the Nigerian applications were accepted, 24% from Ghana, 40% from the USA, and 64% from the Philippines.
The growth in application numbers caused delays in the admission process; both at the University and the Directorate of Immigration. This had the unfortunate consequence that a substantial number of new students missed the start of the academic year in August 2025; 130 students were offered to commence their studies in January 2026 instead.
To prevent such delays in the future, Silja Bára R. Ómarsdóttir, Rector of UI, commissioned a team that recently published a report on the issue.
“The team’s object was to suggest changes to the admission procedures, evaluate the success rate of foreign students in international study programmes, and evaluate whether faculties were prepared to receive larger numbers of foreign students,” says Ragna Benedikta Garðarsdóttir, Prorector for Education, one of the report’s authors.
Students from outside the EEA as likely, or likelier to complete their studies
The results of the report show that students from outside the EEA at the University of Iceland are as likely, or even likelier, to graduate than both their Icelandic peers and those from inside the EEA. “Despite this group’s generally high achievement rate, many international study programmes have suggested limiting the number of new students and group sizes to ensure optimal facilities and teaching to abide by high-quality standards,” says Ragna Benedikta.
The Directorate for Immigration requests that, in the future, applications for a residence permit be submitted by 1 May instead of 1 June, as was formerly the case. This means some changes to university procedures. According to Ragna Benedikta the team suggested several changes to procedures that will hopefully hasten the admission process and thus ensure that everyone who has been accepted and wants to study at UI will have everything in place to start their studies at the right time in the next academic year.