International Students

Undergraduate studies

The minimum requirement for admission to the University of Iceland is an Icelandic matriculation examination (stúdentspróf) or an equivalent level of study. To see if you meet the requirements stipulated by the University of Iceland for admission to undergraduate programmes, visit the entry requirements site.

Graduate studies

Specific faculty rules apply regarding admission requirements for graduate studies at the Master's and doctoral levels. These rules are published in the course catalogue and on the websites of individual faculties.

Generally speaking, programmes at the University of Iceland are taught in Icelandic. Only a limited number of programmes (mainly postgraduate) are offered entirely in English. See the International Programmes page for details.

Additionally, several faculties offer individual courses taught in English.

Please note that proof of English proficiency requirements may apply to applicants whose native language is not English. Further information on programmes and courses is available in the course catalogue.

Applicants are required to attach their latest diploma/transcript in PDF format, together with a copy of the front page of their passport. Some faculties require additional supporting documents, i.e. a statement of purpose, CV, references, etc..

Citizens of countries outside the EEA/EFTA (with the exception of the Faroe Islands and Greenland), applying for studies at the University of Iceland, are required to pay a fee of ISK 8,000 for the handling and processing of their applications. The fee is charged as part of the online application process, and is payable by credit card (VISA or Mastercard) only. The handling and processing fee is NOT refundable.

The handling and processing fee for applications from citizens of countries outside EEA/EFTA (with the exception of the Faroe Islands and Greenland) is charged as authorized by Item g of Art. 24. of the Public Higher Education Institutions Act, no. 85/2008 (amended 1 July 2013). As determined by the University Council on 6 March 2014, the fee is included in the University's Tariff for various services to students etc. The fee will be charged for applications pertaining to the academic year 2014-2015 and later.

International students (non-exchange students) may attempt to apply for enrolment in the Spring semester 2021 (academic year 2020-2021). Applications for graduate studies must be submitted online by 15^th October 2020, while online applications for undergraduate studies can be submitted until 30^th November 2020. Only a limited selection of programmes is on offer. Certified transcripts of qualifications and other supporting documents must be submitted promptly to the address provided in the online application process.

PLEASE NOTE: For citizens of countries outside the EEA/EFTA, the Directorate of Immigration requires that applications for residence permits (student visa) are received by the Directorate no later than 1^st November 2020, in order to issue permits before the start of Spring semester classes. The University of Iceland requires three weeks to process applications AFTER supporting documents have arrived. Supporting documents must therefore ARRIVE at the University of Iceland before 10^th October 2020 if you wish to be able to start your studies in January 2021. Attention: Applications for graduate studies starting in Spring 2021 can NOT be answered before 1 November 2020, because of the time required for evaluation and processing. As an alternative, we suggest that you submit an application for studies starting in the Autumn/Fall semester of 2021, see information above.

Communication Portal - Online Application SPRING 2021

The annual registration fee for the University of Iceland is ISK 75,000. The Spring semester registration fee for new students is ISK 55,000.

Please note:

For information on the application process for exchange students, please see the international exchange students' website.