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Proof of English proficiency

All international applicants, applying for International programmes and whose native language is not English, are required to provide proof of English proficiency in the form of TOEFL ibt (in test centre or home), IELTS Academic (in test centre), Cambridge English (CAE or CPE) or PTE Academic (in test centre or online).

Please note that your score from the English tests is only valid if it is possible for UI to verify them online. If you have Cambridge English (CAE or CPE) score you must agree to share the result with University of Iceland (UI).

It is important to attach the test score sheet in the online application form or a confirmation of your test registration. If you are unable to upload the document to your application, you need to send it as soon as possible or no later than 8 February.  If you fail to prove your proficiency in English before the deadline, your application cannot be processed. For further information, please contact the Student Registration, admission@hi.is.

 Minimum score and tests

Only a few international undergraduate programmes are taught in English at UI.

The minimum English proficiency score for these programmes is:

  • TOEFL 79
  • IELTS Academic 6.5
  • PTE Academic 58

except for the English BA, for which the minimum score is:

  • TOEFL 93
  • IELTS Academic 7.0
  • PTE Academic 65

For some other language programmes, students are required to be proficient in both the language in question and English. Further information can be found in the UI Course Catalogue.

Note when applying for BA programme in Icelandic as a second language you are exempt from proof of English proficiency but not when applying for Icelandic as a second language for practical purposes, the diploma programme. 

Minimum score by School and/or programme

School of Education 
School of Engineering and Natural Sciences 
School of Health Sciences 
School of Social Sciences 

Minimum score for all programmes at School listed above.

  • TOEFL 79
  • IELTS Academic 6.5
  • PTE Academic 58

School of Humanities 

Different between study programs.

Minimum score of programmes above:

  • TOEFL 100
  • IELTS Academic 7.5
  • PTE Academic 76

Please note that all international applicants need to submit proof of their English proficiency for these study programmes, please refer to the UI course catalogue for further information.

All other graduate programmes in Humanities.

Minimum score:

  • TOEFL 83
  • IELTS Academic 6.5
  • PTE Academic 60

Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies 

Minimum score:

  • TOEFL 79
  • IELTS Academic 6.5
  • PTE Academic 58

except for Environmental and Natural Resources, MA

Minimum score:

  • TOEFL 85
  • IELTS Academic 6.5
  • PTE Academic 60

Austria
Reifeprüfung/Matura with English

Belgium
Algemeen Secundair Onderwijs or Certificat d’Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur with English

Bulgaria
Diploma za (Zavarsheno) Sredno Obrazovanie/za Sredno Obrazovanie with English as the first foreign language

Czech Republic
No exam fulfils the requirement

Croatia
Upper secondary studies with English at the Advanced level (Higher level) as part of your written Matura exam (drzavna matura) with the graduation year of 2010 and later.

Cyprus
No exam fulfils the requirement

Denmark
Studentereksamenbevis / HHX / HTX

Estonia
Löputunnistus with English as a foreign language A or B

Finland
Ylioppilastutkintotodistus

France
Baccalauréat general with English

Germany
Abiturzeugnis/Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife (Abitur) with English

Greece
No exam fulfils the requirement

Hungary
If you have finished secondary school after 2005 with English specialisation (emelt szintu érettségi vizsga)

Italy
Liceo Lingvistico with English as the first foreign language

Latvia
Atestāts par vispārējo vidējo izglītību with English

Lithuania
Before 2013: Brandos atestatas with English at A-level / After 2013: Brandos atestatas with English at B1 or B2 level

Malta
Matriculation Certificate with English at A-level

Netherlands
HAVO or VWO with English

Norway
Vitnemål vidergående Opplæring

Poland
If you have finished secondary school after 2005 and have English specialisation (poziom rozszerzony)

Portugal
No exam fulfils the requirement

Romania
English exam at least B1-level in all five parts

Slovakia
Vysvédcenie o maturitnej skúske with English (After 2005)

Slovenia
Spricevalo o splosni maturi/Spricevalo o poklicni maturi with English as the first foreign language

Spain
No exam fulfils the requirement

Sweden
Slutbetyg

Switzerland
Maturitätszeugnis/Certificat de Maturité/Baccalauréat/Attestato di Matritá with English 

You can proof English proficiency by following criteria:

  • You have completed at least one full year of full-time higher education, taught in English, at an accredited higher education institution in a majority English speaking country (UK, USA, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada)
  • You have completed an English Bachelor´s BA or Master´s MA degree (English language and literature)
  • You have an IB, International Baccalaureate or European Baccalaureate diploma (English-taught programmes only)
  • You have one of the English A Equivalency in the EEA/EFTA – See details above

Citizens of the following countries outside of EEA/EFTA qualify for an exemption:

  • Anguilla
  • Antigua
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Barbuda
  • Belize
  • The British Virgin Islands
  • Canada (except Quebec)
  • Dominica
  • Grand Cayman Islands
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • Montserrat
  • New Zealand
  • St. Kitts & Nevis
  • St. Lucia
  • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
  • Trinidad & Tobago
  • Turks & Caicos Islands
  • United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales)
  • The United States of America

TOEFL ibt (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Test centre in Reykjavík is in Skeifan 11b

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

  • IELTS is jointly owned by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), British Council, and IDP Education Australia: IELTS Australia.
  • IELTS website

Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE level C1) or Advanced (CAE level C2)

PTE Academic (Pearson English Language Test)

Where do you stand according to your Self-assessment?

Self-assessment sheet for English language.
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