It is Iceland's leading information provider and export oriented consultancy organization. The University of Iceland and its staff maintain close contacts with academic institutions abroad. Through these individual connections, the Icelandic research community has been able to establish and preserve strong relations with academic and research institutions outside Iceland. Indeed, many graduates of the University of Iceland still travel overseas for further specialization, thus carrying on the tradition of international co-operation. The principal language of instruction is Icelandic, a language descended from and, in its written form at least, still very similar to Old Norse.
Textbooks are mainly in English and Icelandic.
Some departments offer some courses in English and allow foreign students to take their examinations in English during the first semester of study. The Office of International Education publishes Destination Iceland, an informative booklet intended for foreign students who will be studying in Iceland. In addition to providing practical information, the book contains a fund of information about various things that foreign students need to know to help make their stay in Iceland as enjoyable and meaningful as possible. The University of Iceland has numerous research institutes and affiliated institutions which function as centres for research, instruction, conferences and many other activities. Iowa Reference Materials .