The University of Iceland Language Centre offers a variety of free language courses for UI students at all levels. We also run popular Icelandic courses and other courses for staff, including PhD students, and their spouses/partners.
Please note that there are a limited number of places on each course, so sign up as soon as registration opens to avoid disappointment.
An online distance learning course in Icelandic as a Second Language, with or without an instructor.
Self-directed studies (SDS): online courses for students who already have basic skills ( A2 or above, except Italian, which is also intended for beginners). Please note that SDS I is not a prerequisite for SDS II.
Registration is on the Intranet (Ugla). Those students who are studying these languages as a major or minor subject for a B.A. degree cannot have these credits counted for their B.A. studies.
Courses Spring Semester 2025
DAN001G Self-Directed Study in Danish II
FRA004G Self-Directed Study in French II
ÍTA004G Self-Directed Study in Italian II
SPÆ004G Self-Directed Study in Spanish II
ÞÝS004G Self-Directed Study In German II
All courses are thought for 12-13 weeks and 2-6 ECTS credits are awarded for self-directed courses depending on the number of assignments students submit. Credits earned from these courses may not be used towards a BA degree, either as a major or minor subject.
Beginner courses: Six-week intensive courses for complete beginners.
Beginner courses are intensive, six-week courses worth 5 ECTS with an exemption of POL205G which is a 12-week course worth 10 ECTS. Credits earned from these courses may not be used towards a BA degree, either as a major or minor subject.
Registration is on the Intranet (Ugla). Those students who are studying these languages as a major or minor subject for a B.A. degree cannot have these credits counted for their B.A. studies.
Courses Spring Semester 2025
POL203G Polish: practical language III
POL204G Polish: practical language IV
POL205G Grammar, reading and writing II (12 weeks, 10 ECTS)
FRA019G French for Beginners III
FRA020G French for Beginners IV
SPÆ018G Spanish for Beginners III
SPÆ019G Spanish for Beginners IV
ÞÝS027G German for Beginners III
ÞÝS029G German for Beginners IV
HIN102G Hindi for Beginners II
Cultural courses: Intensive courses. Courses are worth 5 or 10 ECTS, taught twice a week for 80 minutes between 4:40-6:40 pm.
Registration is on Intranet (Ugla). Those students who are studying these languages as a major or minor subject for B.A. degree cannot have these credits counted for their B.A. studies.
Courses Spring Semester 2025
HIN202G Indian Culture and Society II (6 weeks, 5 ECTS)
POL206G Poland Today (12 weeks, 10 ECTS)
This is a course for absolute beginners. It will be taught twice a week for two hours. Participants will work on developing all language skills: oral comprehension, oral expression, writing and reading in addition to grammar and vocabulary.
Time and date
27 January – 19 February. Mondays and Wednesdays, 4 pm – 6 pm
Deadline for registration
22 January, 2025
Instructor
Piergiorgio Consagra
Price
Free for University staff and their spouses/partners (priority given to staff members). Learning materials included.
Minimum number of participants
10
Target group
All international staff at the University of Iceland who have completed secondary education (equivalent to the Icelandic stúdentspróf), including PhD students and postdocs.
Note! Two courses are available, starting in January and March.
This course will be taught two times a week for two hours. Participants will work on developing all language competencies. This course is open to all those who have a basic knowledge of Icelandic and/or have completed Icelandic for Beginners I at the University of Iceland or an equivalent course.
Time and date
20 January to 12 February. Mondays and Wednesdays, 4 – 6 pm.
Deadline for registration
15 January, 2025.
Instructor
Svala Lind Birnudóttir.
Price
Free for University staff and their spouses/partners (priority given to staff members). Learning materials included.
Minimum number of participants
10
Target group
All International staff at the University of Iceland (including those PhD students and postdocs who are members of staff) who have completed secondary studies (equivalent to a stúdentspróf).
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This course will be taught two times a week for two hours. Participants will work on developing all language competencies. This course is open to all those who have a basic knowledge of Icelandic and/or have completed Icelandic for Beginners I at the University of Iceland or an equivalent course.
Time and date
3 March to 26 March. Mondays and Wednesdays, 4 – 6 pm.
Deadline for registration
26 February, 2025.
Instructor
Piergiorgio Consagra.
Price
Free for University staff and their spouses/partners (priority given to staff members). Learning materials included.
Minimum number of participants
10
Target group
All International staff at the University of Iceland (including those PhD students and postdocs who are members of staff) who have completed secondary studies (equivalent to a stúdentspróf).
This course will be taught two times a week for 2 hours. Participants will develop all language competencies by reading authentic texts (newspapers, magazines and literature), writing short texts and practising oral proficiency. This course is open to all those who have a basic knowledge of Icelandic and/or have completed Icelandic for beginners I and II at the University of Iceland or an equivalent course.
Time and date
3 February to 19 February 2025 (3 weeks). Mondays and Wednesdays, 4 – 6 pm.
Instructor
Emma Björk Eyjólfsdóttir
Deadline for registration
29 January, 2025.
Price
Free for University staff and theier spouses/partners (priority given to staff members). Learning materials included.
Minimum number of participants
7
Target group
All International staff at the University of Iceland (including those PhD students and postdocs who are members of staff) who have completed secondary studies (equivalent to a stúdentspróf).
This course will be taught two times a week for 2 hours. Participants will develop all language competencies but there will be a special focus on oral proficiency. This course is open to all those who have a basic knowledge of Icelandic and/or have completed Icelandic for beginners I, II and III at the University of Iceland or equivalent courses (44 hours in total).
Time and date
3 March to 19 March 2025 (3 weeks). Mondays and Wednesdays, 4 – 6 pm.
Instructor
Emma Björk Eyjólfsdóttir.
Deadline for registration
26 February, 2025.
Price
Free for University staff and their spouses/partners (priority given to staff members). Learning materials included.
Minimum number of participants
7
Target group
All International staff at the University of Iceland (including those PhD students and postdocs who are members of staff) who have completed secondary studies (equivalent to a stúdentspróf).
Icelandic V: Icelandic in the Academic Workplace (12 hrs.)
This is an advanced course for international staff at the University of Iceland who have completed Icelandic I-IV or comparable courses (56 hrs.), or who already have a comparable foundation in the language.
Participants will work on all language skill areas, with particular emphasis on vocabulary and administrative and teaching tasks specific to the University community. Participants undertake projects relevant to their area(s) of expertise and receive personalised tutor support.
The course consists of classroom-based lessons and individual or pair-based online tandem teaching.
Time and date
5 May to 21 May, 2025. Mondays and Wednesdays, 4 – 6 pm (12 hours in total).
Individual or two-to-one sessions of two hours each are available by consultation (2 x 40 minutes).
Deadline for registration
25 April, 2025
Instructors
Emma Björg Eyjólfsdóttir and Piergiorgio Consagra
Price
Free for university staff. Course fees include learning materials. Please note: This course is open only to University staff members (not spouses and partners).
Minimum number of participants
7
Target group
All international staff at UI, including PhD students and postdocs, who do not speak Icelandic as a native language, but have a foundation in Icelandic and wish to improve their skills for use in the academic workplace.