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About the School of Humanities

About the School of Humanities - Available at University of Iceland

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.

Classical and contemporary education

The School of Humanities is constantly adapting its academic programmes in an effort to meet the ever-changing demands and opportunities of society, and several new programmes have been introduced in recent years. At the same time, the School attends to key aspects of cultural heritage and history, relating them to current contexts.

Excellent preparation for the future

Humanities alumni can be found in most areas of national life and education in the humanities has proven to be excellent preparation for all kinds of professions. Students who have graduated from the School of Humanities are equipped with critical and creative skills, are capable of analysing complicated topics and presenting their results in a well-argued and coherent manner. Students are therefore strategically poised upon graduation, whether they are headed for the professional sector or aim to continue their studies.

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 Languages and Cultures; 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.

Introduction to new students

An Orientation Week for International Students is held at the beginning of the semester. The aim of the Orientation Week is to introduce students to education, practicalities and life at the University of Iceland. It is also to help you familiarize yourself with the campus, meet people and find out where to get assistance. For further information on the orientation week.

Icelandic Studies for international students

The School of Humanities has a great deal to offer both exchange and regular international students. Among the main attractions is the BA-programme in Icelandic as a second language and MA-degrees in Medieval Icelandic Studies and Viking and Medieval Norse Studies.

Icelandic as a second language comprises two main sections: a language component, where students receive instruction and training in writing, speaking and understanding modern Icelandic, and a cultural component, which deals with the language, literature and history of Iceland.

Medieval Icelandic Studies is aimed at providing postgraduate students with the necessary tools to study Old/Medieval Icelandic texts in the original and in their manuscript context, with a special emphasis on interdisciplinary study.