UNIVERSITY OF ICELAND
Nomination Fact Sheet for Exchange Students
Academic Year 2023/2024
CONTACT INFORMATION
AAddress

International Division
University CentreSæmundargata 4102 Reykjavík
ICELAND

DirectorDr. Fridrika Hardardottir
fridrika@hi.is

Contact for inboundexchange students

Ms. Aníta Hannesdóttir
incoming@hi.is

Contact for outboundexchange students within
EuropeMs. Árný Lára Sigurðardóttir
outgoing.europe@hi.is

Contact for outboundexchange students tocountries outside of Europe

Mr. Hafliði Sævarsson
outgoing.international@hi.is

Erasmus code

IS REYKJAV01

Tel: +354 5254311
E-mail: ask@hi.isWebsites:
https://english.hi.is/university_of_iceland
https://english.hi.is/international_office

NOMINATION AND APPLICATION
Nomination

International coordinators nominate their students online at least two weeks before
the application deadline. Only online nominations are accepted.
Autumn semester• Non-EU/EEA citizens: 15 March• EU/EEA citizens: 15 April
Spring semester• Non-EU/EEA citizens: 15 August• EU/EEA citizens: 15 September

Online nomination

https://ugla.hi.is/umsoknir/nominations/index.php?lang=en

Information for exchangestudents

https://english.hi.is/university/prospective_exchange_students

Page | 1International Division, University of IcelandOnline application

Application checklist

Autumn semester• Non-EU/EEA citizens: 1 April• EU/EEA citizens: 1 May
Spring semester• Non-EU/EEA citizens: 1 September
EU/EEA citizens: 1 October
Further information and access to the online application at University of Iceland will besent to students who have been nominated by their home university.
•••

Online application including a course selection. Course selection must total
30 ECTS credits per semester, where at least 60% of courses are within
the students’ majorA passport sized photo, a photo of passport or a valid ID
Transcript of records in English or a Nordic language (DK, NO, SE, IS)certified by a signature and stamp or digitally signed

Late or incomplete applications will not be processed.
Application status

Students must keep track of their application status online:
https://english.hi.is/university/international_exchange_students#status

Mentor system

To help exchange students adapt to life and studies the University of Iceland has a
Mentor system. Students can apply for a mentor when filling out online application.
The main task of the Mentor is to provide the student with practical information about
the University of Iceland and Icelandic society, as well as to introduce them tostudents and student life in general.

STUDY INFORMATION
Academic year

The academic year is divided into two semesters, autumn and spring, each semester
lasting thirteen weeks. The academic calendar varies somewhat from one faculty toanother: https://english.hi.is/university/academic_calendar

Credits and grading system

30 ECTS credits are considered full time studies per semester. Further information on
credits and grading system: https://english.hi.is/university/credit_system_and_grades

Timetables

https://english.hi.is/university/timetables

Courses offered forexchange students

https://ugla.hi.is/kennsluskra/index.php?tab=nam&chapter=exhange_course_list&ken
nsluar=current
Course selection must total 30 ECTS credits per semester, where at least 60%of courses are within the students’ major

Courses with restrictions forexchange students

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The faculties of Medicine, Nursing, Psychology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
are restricted to prior agreements between the exchanging faculties
The faculties of Law and Economics do not accept undergraduate students
MBA is closed
Admission to the Earth Science programme is restricted to students that meetprerequisites of at least one year of geology or geophysics study.
Courses in the English Language Programme are only available to exchange
students majoring in English at their home university or students who are very
proficient in English (except the course “English for Practical Purposes”).
Courses taught in Icelandic are generally not open to exchange students.

International Division, University of Iceland

Transcript of records

Exchange students get a digitally signed transcript of academic records at the end of
their stay. The transcript is sent directly to their University of Iceland e-mail address
and their home university nominator approx. 6 weeks after final exams.

LANGUAGE
Language of instruction

The principal language of instruction at the University is Icelandic. Most faculties offersome courses in English that are open for exchange students:
https://ugla.hi.is/kennsluskra/index.php?tab=nam&chapter=exhange_course_list&ken
nsluar=current

Language proficiency

Applicants from countries outside the EU/EEA whose native language is not English,
need to prove their English proficiency by submitting TOEFL (min. 79) or IELTS(Academic, min. 6.5), PTE (Academic) or Cambridge English (CAE or CPE) tests.
This is to make sure students do not have problems during their exchange period asthey cannot expect any special assistance due to language problems. A selfassessment of English proficiency is included in the student application.

Icelandic language courses

The University of Iceland offers courses in Icelandic as a second language:https://ugla.hi.is/kennsluskra/index.php?tab=nam&chapter=namskeid&id=707690202
10&kennsluar=2020
The University Centre of the Westfjords offers Intensive Icelandic language courses:
https://www.uw.is/icelandic_courses/

REGISTRATION AND STUDENT PERMITHow to register

All international students must meet the requirements set by either the Directorate ofImmigration or Registers Iceland depending on their citizenship:https://english.hi.is/university/registration_and_student_permit

Health issues

Students from countries outside EU/EEA must have health insurance:
https://island.is/en/residence-permit-students/document-requirements
The cost of such insurance valid for six months varies from ISK 15,000 according tothe policy.
Applicants for a student residence permit who must undergo a medical examination
should go to the Communicable Disease Control Health Clinic (Þönglabakki 1, 109Reykjavík) before going to the Directorate of Immigration:
https://island.is/en/residence-permit-students/document-requirements
European citizens must bring the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and/or
the insurance form E-104. For further information or if in doubt, see the website ofIcelandic Health Insurance: www.sjukra.is/english

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Cost of living

The estimated cost of living in Iceland for a single person is ISK 217.799 per month(minimal support guidelines set by the municipalities):
https://english.hi.is/studies/living_costs_in_reykjavik

Housing

The University of Iceland does not provide or guarantee housing for students but
information on this website may be helpful:https://english.hi.is/studies/accommodation

Last update of this information: November 2022

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International Division, University of Iceland