The exchange process step-by-step

• Check whether you meet the requirements for exchange studies, specifically if you will have completed 60 ECTS of your programme before starting the exchange period. Note that students at the Master’s level are exempt from this rule. Exchange requirements can also vary from faculty to faculty and it is therefore important to study the requirements for your faculty thoroughly.
   
• Start preparing early, especially if a language test is required by the host university. The Partner University Database specifies in most cases whether a language test is required. Most universities in the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand require language tests. Note that the TOEFL test is the only recognised test available in Iceland.
   
• Attend one of our presentations on exchange studies. These presentations are held regularly and are advertised by email and in Ugla. You can also talk to staff at the International Division for more information.
   
• Help international students through the mentor programme offered by the International Division and the Student Council. 
   
• Take a look at the Partner University Database. It is important to choose a partner university which has an agreement with UI in your subject and at your study level. Choose one or more universities as a back-up.
   
• Carefully study the websites of the universities you are interested in. Students should always check all application requirements for exchange at the host university.

Once you are fully prepared, you can apply online on the UI website before the application deadline. Remember to attach a scanned copy of your academic transcript (you can also hand it in at the Service Desk in the University Centre before the deadline).

The general application deadline is 1 February each year.

• Be well prepared before submitting your application and familiarise yourself with courses offered in your field at the host institution. Note that in most cases the course catalogue for the next academic year is not available yet so you can use the most recent version. Contact your faculty if you have questions about course selection.
•  Then you apply online on the UI website before the application deadline and attach the following documents to your application: 
•  Your Transcript of Records in English with ranking (available in “My Ugla” – “Confirmations and transcripts)
• Language test results such as TOEFL (if the host university requires language test results, it is mentioned in the Partner University Database under „Further on subject“)

• The International Division reviews all applications and allocates places at our partner universities.
   
• Applicants will receive an email about their application and next steps within 6-8 weeks from the application deadline. Keep in mind that you may be nominated to your second or third choice of university rather than your first choice.
   

Note that the application process is twofold. First, the student applies for exchange studies at the University of Iceland, which then nominates students to a host university. Second, the student applies directly to the host university according to instructions sent by the host university or the University of Iceland. 

• It is important to submit an application with all required documents before the deadline set by the host university.
   
• When you have received confirmation from the International Division that you will be nominated for exchange studies, then keep a close eye on your university email and respond quickly to any request for documents from the host university or UI. This includes the Learning Agreement.
   
• Contact your faculty early to review your course selection and Learning Agreement and get their signature.
   
• Students need to hand in their Learning Agreement before departure. In the Learning Agreement, students state the courses they intend to take at the host university, how they will be evaluated, and which courses at UI they intend to replace. Students going on exchange to Europe need to check when the deadline for Learning Agreements at the host university expires and hand them in before the deadline. Students need to have submitted a fully signed Learning Agreement to the International Division one month before the start of their exchange at the very latest. 

More information about the Learning Agreement  
 

• Students going on exchange must complete annual registration and pay the registration fee at UI. It is not possible to go on exchange from UI without being registered as a student.
  Students should complete the annual course registration in Ugla and select at least one course in UI during the period they are planning to be on the exchange. Students can withdraw from that course later.
  During registration, students are directed to pay the annual registration fee. Students can pay right away, but the payment site will be open in Ugla until 4 July.

All students must send a letter of acceptance from the receiving university to the International Division at UI.

Procedures before departure can vary depending on whether the exchange is through Erasmus+ or Nordplus or outside Europe. 

Erasmus+ students

You must send a letter of acceptance from the receiving university to the International Division at UI. You will then need to organise the following:

• You will receive a grant agreement / exchange agreement which you will need to sign and submit to the International Division
• You must sign the exchange declaration which was emailed to you
• You must obtain a signature from the receiving university on your OLA.

Nordplus students

You must send a letter of acceptance from the receiving University to the International Division. The application process can vary between Nordplus networks. However, everyone is required to submit a signed exchange declaration.

• If you are funded by a network managed by UI, you must submit a grant agreement and a Learning Agreement that has been signed by the receiving institution to the International Division.
• If you are funded by a network managed by other universities, you must follow their guidelines and make sure to meet the deadlines.

Students going on exchange outside Europe

You must send a letter of acceptance from the receiving university to the International Division and hand in the signed exchange declaration.

There are several things that are good to keep in mind before going abroad:

• Make sure that your passport is valid beyond your estimated date of return and preferably longer. Some countries may require that passports are valid for 3-6 months beyond the period of your intended stay.
   
• Check the residence permit rules in the country you will be living in. It might be helpful to seek advice from the receiving university and/or the country’s embassy/consulate in Iceland.
   
• If you are a European citizen and the exchange period is within Europe, then you need to bring a European Insurance Card. You can apply for the card through the Sjúkratryggingar Íslands website. If your exchange period is outside Europe, then you can get a declaration from Sjúkratryggingar Íslands regarding insurance protection of Icelandic students abroad. Host universities can also provide information on insurance and in many cases, will require the purchase of specific insurance. 
   
• If you require a residence permit in Iceland, then please contact the Directorate of Immigration to check if you need to re-apply or if you can extend your permit due to the exchange study period. 

• If you need to make changes to your course selection, you must submit a new and updated Learning Agreement or an amendment to the Learning Agreement signed by the responsible parties at the relevant UI school or faculty. It is important to make sure that your faculty approves all changes to ensure that the credits count towards your degree at the University of Iceland. 

If you decide at any point to withdraw from the exchange programme, you must notify the International Division immediately. If you have received a grant for your stay, you may need to repay the amount received. 

Erasmus+

• You must ensure that an official transcript is sent to the International Division. An unofficial transcript from the host university is sufficient to receive the final grant payment, but to transfer the credits, an official transcript is needed. The official transcript must be on paper or an electronic document that can be verified online. 
• You will need to complete an Erasmus+ final report that will be emailed to you on the last day of the exchange period. 

Nordplus and universities outside Europe

• You must ensure that an official transcript is sent to the International Division. The official transcript must be on paper or an electronic document that can be verified online. 
• You will need to complete a final report, which can be found on the International Division webpage in Ugla.

Final report

• You must complete a final report on the exchange upon return. Erasmus+ students will receive an email about the final report before they return. Nordplus students and students going to countries outside Europe can access their final report below.
• Final Report for Nordplus students and students going outside Europe.
• Final Report for Erasmus+ students: A form will be sent to students by email.

After your exchange period, there are several ways to build on your international experience. 

The Mentor Programme
Students can participate in the Mentor Programme, which is a collaboration between the International Division and the UI Student Council. You can become a mentor for international students and help them with practical matters during their stay.

This is an excellent opportunity to maintain international relationships and improve language skills. Mentors are recognised for their participation in their Diploma Supplement, a document containing extra information attached to their final transcript. This may be an asset when applying for jobs or further education abroad. 

ESN Iceland
You could get involved with the Erasmus Student Network, which has an office in Iceland. The network aims to help international students in Iceland adapt to society and get to know other students. ESN Iceland organises various social events for international students, which are open to everyone.

AURORA shorter stays
Undergraduate and Master's students have the option of applying for one travel grant per school year for a shorter stay, regardless of whether the student has already gone on exchange. Shorter stays include all study stays lasting up to 30 days. Find out about opportunities for individual courses within the Aurora partnership here.

Go on another exchange or pursue a traineeship
You could explore the possibility of going on another exchange, a summer programme or a traineeship abroad. Erasmus+ grants are allocated for 12 months maximum per study cycle. For example, you could go on a 9 month exchange study programme and then a traineeship for another 3 months. Students can also apply independently for studies abroad - for further information, see the Farabara website.

Job opportunities after studying abroad
Research shows that employers seek employees with international experience. Therefore, it is worth mentioning your time studying abroad in your CV. The Student Counselling Centre can help you with writing a CV and job seeking after graduation.