Thanks to the Vikings, Iceland isn’t named after the fact that it’s an icy place (at least not anymore). But, make no mistake – Iceland has plenty of snow and glaciers, just like its ice-covered counterpart, Greenland. Iceland is also a place full of mythical wonders, located in the North Atlantic Ocean, with active volcanoes and glacial rivers covering its tiny land area – a land of fire and ice, if you will.
Ranking number 3 on the World Happiness Index, Iceland is home to peaceful and adventurous people. For international students, if you want to find a unique place to pursue your Master’s or Bachelor’s degree, you’ll find plenty of mountains to climb in Iceland.
If you want to enrol at Icelandic public universities, rejoice! There are no tuition costs you need to worry about; there's only a registration fee of 100–250 EUR, which allows you to spend money on travelling, finding great accommodation, or buying enough clothes to keep you warm.
English may not be an official language, but almost any local speaks it fluently. That's because English is taught as a second language in schools. So, drop any fears about language barriers or being misunderstood — you won't have to face them here. Actually, you shouldn't be surprised to discover that many Icelandic people speak other foreign languages as well, including Danish, German, French, and others.
There's a local habit called "vísindaferð". It takes place on Fridays, when groups of students often visit a local organisation or an interesting place/attraction. You will enjoy taking part in small tasks, being given a tour, and savouring a few snacks and drinks.
Thanks to its abundant natural resources, Iceland is one of the most eco-friendly nations in the world. Around 80% of its energy needs are covered by hydro and geothermal power. In Reykjavik, they even had hydrogen-powered buses at some point, and there are initiatives to bring them back!
It's no secret that Iceland has some of the most beautiful and iconic natural landscapes. While living here, you should visit places like the Gullfoss Falls, the Thingvellir National Park, Seljalandsfoss, the active geysers, the Hallgrimskirkja modern cathedral, etc.
And don't forget abut the hot springs — courtesy of geothermal activity — which allow anyone to enjoy a warm and relaxing bath at any time during the year!
Universities in Iceland are known for having small classroom sizes. This means that, as a student, you don’t need to feel intimidated to ask questions or participate in a discussion. Plus, your instructors will be able to give you extra, individual assistance if you need it.
While you attend university in Iceland, you’ll also be able to enjoy a thriving social life outside of your classes. With plenty of mountains and volcanoes to climb, or rivers to sail, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in plenty of Icelandic culture, while also getting your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.
Did you know that 1 in 10 Iceland residents will publish a book at some point in their lives? There must be some incredibly smart people there! What do all of those geniuses study? Well, if you’re going to Iceland for your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, you can find a range of programmes and subjects to expand your mind.
Here are some disciplines for you to consider in Iceland:
Keep in mind what we said above: university education in Iceland is very, very new. So, universities are just learning how to walk and find their balance. But if you’re interested in studying in Iceland, a wonderful university for you to keep in mind would be University Centre of the West Fjords.
Each university in Iceland has its own system on their website that allows future students to apply for and enrol in their degree programmes. So, once you select the university of your choice, you can go through their application and submit your materials there.
Here are some of the basic requirements you’ll need for every application:
These kinds of courses enable degree-seeking students to get an extra educational boost just before they start their Master’s degree or other post-graduate degree programmes.
Try a pre-M.B.A., pre-Law, or pre-Medicine programme, as well as any other foundation or preparation courses that will allow you to study in the degree programme of your choice.
If you’re attending a degree programme in Iceland you will need to prove that your language skills are good enough to participate in the classes and understand the lectures. These courses will also prepare you for any of the English-language tests that universities require.
To apply to study in Iceland, you’ll need to provide proof you have a diploma for your English proficiency.
The certificates generally accepted by the universities in Iceland are:
Still, you should always check on your university’s website, just to be sure what the exact requirements are.
Let's take a closer look at tuition and living expenses in Iceland:
If you study at one of the public universities in Iceland, you won’t have to pay any tuition fees. You will, however, have to pay a one-time, non-refundable registration fee, ranging between 100 and 250 EUR.
Private universities are a different story. Their tuition fees can be quite expensive and they change depending on whether you’re an EU/EEA or non-EU/EEA student. Always check the official university website to find out what tuition applies to you.
Because of its rather isolated location and tundra climate, living in Iceland can be quite expensive. But plenty of international students manage to get by thanks to the inexpensive tuition prices. Plus, with all of the natural beauty and landmarks all over Iceland, there are plenty of ways to have fun for free.
In general, you should prepare a minimum of 900–1,000 EUR/month. Here is a breakdown of living costs in Iceland:
The Republic of Iceland is a country of northwestern Europe, comprising the island of Iceland and its outlying islets in the North Atlantic Ocean between Greenland, Norway, the British Isles, and the Faroe Islands. Iceland is a part of the world- encircling undersea mountain system that is the locus of new crust formation. About 11% of Iceland is covered by glaciers. By far the largest of the ice caps is Vatnajökull in Southeast Iceland with an size equal to all the glaciers on the European mainland put together.
Interesting facts about IcelandStudy a master programme from the comfort of your own home. The Studyportals platform offers the largest overview of online and blended study opportunities from all over the world. You now have the possibility to follow your dream study programme at one of the best universities in the world without having to relocate.
Distance education is the perfect solution for professionals looking to further their career. It offers the possibility for additional qualification while keeping the current job. With flexible schedule and resources available online, distance study programmes can be the key to your career development and a job promotion.
Online study is also a money saver, as the student does not have to spend money on moving or on a possibly expensive day to day life in a new country. So if you are in search for the best education, but do not want to relocate, give up your current life style or disrupt the comfort of your family, distance learning is the solution for you.
Looking at a growing demand for these study opportunities, combined with a lack of transparency in this quickly growing and exciting study mode, we decided to open up our portals and to also offer you information about these education options offered globally.
Please note, that for the time being this section does not yet include any on campus programmes offered in these parts of the world.
Learn below about the different countries and choose your online study from a growing selection of online studies offered by accredited institutions.
Distance learning is a mode of study that allows the student to study most or all of a course without attending at a campus-based institution. The distance can refer to both material and interaction. Distance learning provides access to learning when the source of information and the learners are separated by time and distance, or both.
The programmes often include a computer-based training system and tools to produce a virtual classroom. The tuition fees for distance learning vary from institution to programme to country. It is certain that the student saves expenses related to accommodation and transportation, because you can maintain the current living expenses. Distance learning is also a great solution for people that already have a job, and still want or need further education.
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