ACADEMIC YEAR PROGRAMS
ICELANDIC UNIVERSITIES
There are ten academic institutions in Iceland that provide university level education. The University of Iceland is by far the largest, and it offers numerous courses in English for the international exchange students. You can also look for more information about Iceland on The Icelandic Embassy website.
STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS THROUGH AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES
The American undergraduate students can receive course credit directly from their institution for their participation in the following programs. These programs are available to students from any college or university.
UNIVERSITY OF
MIAMI
Semester/Year Abroad at University of Iceland,
Reykjavik
Courses are offered in English in the following areas:
economics, literature, European studies, geology, geography,
international business, philosophy, and political science.
Location: University of Iceland
Eligibility: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors with
minimum college 3.0 GPA
Instruction: In English and Icelandic. No
previous knowledge of Icelandic required
Credit: 12-18 undergraduate per semester
Housing: Generally students will share off-campus
accommodations with assistance provided by the international office
in securing housing.
Financial Aid: Details available from the
University of Miami International Education and Exchange
Programs
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
University of Iceland
The UND-University of Iceland exhange program offers students the opportunity for study in an amazing location. The Univeristy of Iceland was founded in 1911 and today it is the largest employer in Iceland. Some of the unique resources available to students are the manuscript archives of the Arni Magnusson Insitute, Icelandic census records dating from 1703, exceptionally complete genealogical data and extensive climatological, glaciological, seismic and geothermal records. Subjects include Theology, Law, Economics and Business Administration, Humanities and Natural Sciences.
Location: Reykjavik, Iceland
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with sophomore status in good academic standing with a grade point average of at least 2.5
Instruction: In English
Credit: 12+ Credits
Housing: Residence halls
Financial Aid: Available on case by case basis
Contact: UND Office of International Programs
LANGUAGE PROGRAMS
SCHOOL
OF ICELANDIC
Intensive courses in Icelandic for foreigners are held in
4-week courses, 5 days a week, all year round. Courses are held 5-6
times per year. Course prices are $490. Housing costs are
around $500 for the duration of the course. Food costs: around
US $ 25-30 per day. (Or around USD 900 - 1100 per 4 weeks.) Classes
are held in small groups, with a maximum of 20 students per group.
Classes are taught in English using the school's own "Interlingual
Learning Technique" which makes use of the close relation with
other Nordic and Germanic languages, particularly English and works
in a new way with the sound system. Email
ice@icetrans.is for more information.
Location: Reykjavík
Dates: Various dates depending on which level course you want to take
Instruction: In English and Icelandic. No
previous knowledge of Icelandic required
Housing: Available
Financial Aid: Not available
THE
SNORRI PROGRAM
Aimed at descendants of Icelandic emigrants from 1870-1914, this
six-week program starts in Reykjavík with a two week
cultural and educational program. Lectures include: classes in
Icelandic, modern Icelandic culture and Icelandic History, with
emphasis on the emigrants. During this time the Parliament is
visited, as well as several museums and institutes. There is also
be a weekend and evening program. A family tree is provided, and
participants are given the opportunity to meet their relatives. The
next three weeks of the program are held in rural Iceland
(different area for each participant depending on where their roots
lie). Participants work and take part in every day life in a small
Icelandic community, and preferably they stay with Icelandic
relatives in the area where their ancestors emigrated from. The
final week is spent on an adventure journey visiting natural sights
across Iceland. This trip includes white river rafting, horseback
riding, a boat tour and more.
Location: Reykjavík and
rural areas throughout Iceland
Dates: Check website
Duration: 6 weeks (study tour)
Eligibility: Descendants of Icelandic emigrants,
aged 18-28
Instruction: In English and Icelandic. Weeks 3-5 are spent with Icelandic
relatives.
Housing: Full room and board will be provided in
a guest house for the first two weeks and with families (3 weeks).
The last week is a "backpacking" trip, all expenses covered..
Financial Aid: One can apply for $2,000-$3,000
grants from the Snorri Foundation. Grants have also been given by the Canada-Iceland Foundation (Canadians only) and various Icelandic clubs in the US and Canada.
THE
SNORRI PLUS PROGRAM
The Snorri Program has been expanded to include a program for
those who find themselves just above the proposed age range for the
first program and for those who may be traveling as a couple. The
program consists of the same components as the Snorri Program, i.e.
nature, culture and genealogy.
Dates: Check website
Eligibility: Descendants of Icelandic emigrants
and their spouses, aged approximately 30 and older.
Housing: Accommodation in guesthouses in
Reykjavik and Hofsós.
UNIVERSITY OF
ICELAND
Summer Course in Icelandic
The University of Iceland, in cooperation with
Árni Magnússon Institute of Icelandic Studies, offers a summer course in modern
Icelandic language and culture. The course is primarily intended
for university students of Icelandic language and culture. It
consists of 80 hours of instruction in grammar, language exercises,
and text reading, plus 10 lectures on Icelandic culture and modern
society. Activities include visits to museums, sightseeing
excursion of Reykjavík and field trips to places of
historical and geographical interest in the countryside.
Location:
Reykjavík
Dates: Check website
Eligibility: Some background in Icelandic is
preferable. Applicants may not be permanent residents of
Iceland.
Instruction: In Icelandic, with English as the
second language of instruction
Credit: 8 credits
Housing: Private homes or
apartments with other students
Financial Aid: None
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
SIT Iceland: Renewable Energy, Technology, and Resource Economics
The program is divided into three components. In the capital, Reykjavik, students meet with politicians, industry leaders, and social activists to develop their understanding of how Iceland’s energy policy fits into the larger national agenda. In Akureyri, students will study at the School for Renewable Energy Science, a new center associated with the University of Akureyri. There, Icelandic energy specialists, engineers, and geologists teach courses. Students spend the final portion of the program in the remote West Fjords, applying concepts learned to village-scale energy problems. Students visit significant geological and energy sites in northern Iceland.
Location:Reykjavik and Akureyri
Dates: Check website
Eligibility: At least two semesters of college-level work; minimum 2.5 GPA; previous college-level coursework in engineering,
geology, environmental studies, or related fields
Instruction: In
Icelandic
Credit: 8 credits
Housing: Rooms in private homes in
Reykjavík
Financial Aid: Check website
Scholarship Exchange in Iceland
Sponsored by the Learning Abroad Center and IRSEP
Location:Reykjavik
Dates: Academic year
Eligibility:UM
juniors and above with 2.5 GPA or higher
Instruction: In English and Icelandic by Icelandic faculty
Credit:24-30 credits
Housing:Dorms, apartments, homestays
Financial Aid: Check website
AKUREYRI SCHOOL OF VISUAL
ARTS
The Akureyri School of Visual Arts in Akureyri was founded in
1974. The aim of the school is to provide its students with
education and training in a wide variety of art subjects.
Location: Akureyri
Eligibility: International students are welcome
to study at Akureyri School of Visual Arts as fully-matriculated
students or as guest students.
Housing: Contact the school for
information.
ICELAND ACADEMY OF
FINE ARTS
The Academy offers degree programs at the Bachelor of
Arts level and is comprised of four departments: the Department of
Visual Arts, the Department of Drama, the Department of Design and
Architecture and the Department of Music. In addition, the Academy
offers a Diploma program in Music for young musicians and a
certification program in Art Education for artists, designers, and
actors.
Location: Reykjavik
Eligibility: Visiting students must be enrolled
at an equivalent educational institution. The application
form is available on the school’s
website.
Housing: Contact the school for
information.