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University of Iceland

MAUI-Utrecht Network Exchange Program

This program is part of the MAUI-Utrecht Exchange and is open to students from member institutions only. Interested students should contact their local study abroad coordinator regarding the application/placement process and for additional information. Application deadlines for all MAUI-Utrecht programs, including fall semester, winter semester, or academic year abroad, is in February. Spring semester placements may be available after the deadline: contact the Study Abroad Coordinator.

University of Iceland

Iceland is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the border of the temperate and the arctic zones, with its extreme northern point touching the Arctic Circle. Its nearest neighbor to the west is Greenland, to the southeast lie the Faroe islands. 

The University of Iceland (Háskóli Íslands) is a state university founded in 1911. Today, the University of Iceland serves a nation of approximately 270,000 people and provides instruction for some 6,000 students (59% of them female) studying in nine faculties. In addition to the major faculties there are numerous research institutes attached to the University. With its 396 tenured teachers, some 1,250 non-tenured teachers, and about 281 researchers and administrators the University of Iceland is the largest single work-place in the country.

A modern, diversified, and rapidly-developing institution, the University of Iceland offers opportunities for study and research in more than 50 degree programmes in the humanities, science and social sciences, and in professional fields such as theology, law, business, medicine, odontology and engineering. Some of the resources available at the University are uniquely Icelandic; these include the manuscripts preserved in the Árni Magnússon Institute, Icelandic census records dating from 1703, exceptionally complete genealogical data, and climatological, glaciological, seismic and geothermal records.. 
 

Full name of university University of Iceland
Number of MAUI students you can accept during 2007/2008
(indicate total number of semesters)
4-5, depends on what subject they would be interested in
Areas of study open for MAUI students All regular courses taught at the University, especially courses taught in English for foreign students (http://www.hi.is/page/courses_in_english)
Areas of study restricted to prior bilateral agreements between the exchanging departments or faculties
Utrecht Network contact person
(name, full address, phone/fax/email)

Karitas Kvaran
Director of Office of International Education.
Neshagi 16
107 Reykjavík
Iceland

Tel: +354 525 4304  Fax: +354 525 5850  e-mail: karitask@hi.is
Contact person for incoming students (name, full address, phone/fax/e-mail)

Erla Björk Atladóttir
International Coordinator
Office of International Education
Neshagi 16
107 Reykjavík
Iceland

Tel: +354 525 4586  Fax: +354 525 5850  e-mail: ebjork@hi.is
General web site of the university http://www.hi.is
Web site of the international office/information web site for incoming students http://www.ask.hi.is
Academic calendar The academic year is from the beginning of September until the end of May. It is divided into two semesters, autumn semester and spring semester. The calendar varies somewhat from one faculty to another. Generally, the autumn semester begins in early September, with examination during the period 9-20 December, while the spring semester begins somewhat from 4 January or in the next days after with examination period of 29 April until 26 May. Please consult the Office of International Education at the University of Iceland for exact dates of the beginning and the ending of the academic calendar in your field of study.
Examination period(s) In autumn semester from 10-21 December
In spring semester from 20 April - 15 May
These days may vary slightly from year to year.
Orientation session(s) for incoming students Orientation meeting in the first week of September and the first week of January, free of charge. A programme called Introduction to Iceland is open to all foreign students. This is a combination of excursions and day trips and lectures on Icelandic matters (history, geology, arts, government, industry etc.). Lectures are free of charge some payments are required for bus fares. Accommodation is guaranteed for all MAUI students.
ECTS available All
Application deadline(s) for admission May 15th and October 1st – recommended to apply earlier due to a long processing time of student visas.
Application material on the web site or being mailed On the web http://www.ask.hi.is/page/applicationform
Course registration deadline(s) Changes can be made to the course registration upon arrival in Iceland
Language requirements

Icelandic is the language of instruction at the University of Iceland. Teaching includes lectures, essay and project writing and reading texts. Some textbooks are in English or other foreign language (mostly German and Scandinavian languages) and exchange students can be allowed to write examinations and essays in English (or own language if possible). This is, however, always subject to approval of each faculty and instructors whom you should consult beforehand.

Some courses are taught in English. These courses are marked with E on the right hand side of the course description in the main Course Catalogue. Please visit the www.ask.hi.is for a listing of courses taught in English. Please note that the list is subject to changes and modifications. Any modifications and amendments will be sent to partner institutions (international offices or other contact persons) of the University of Iceland.
Language test certificate requirements No
Preparatory language course for incoming students Four week intensive course in Icelandic, held in August. This course is an elementary course for beginners, altogether 70 hours, specially meant for students attending other subjects than the degree programme in Icelandic for foreigner students. All students can apply, but exchange students have priority to attend the course. For further information and registration contact the Office of International Education. Tel. +354-525 4311. Fax +354-525 5850
Courses taught in English

The course catalogue, (Kennsluskrá), is published each academic year in Icelandic and in a shorter version in English: 
http://www.ask.hi.is/page/askcourses

Internships available Possible in some cases, like in the field of nursing.
Student employment Students outside EU and EFTA need to apply for work permit if they want to seek jobs.
Housing assistance

Included in the online application form:

http://ask.hi.is/page/applicationform
Housing options Dorms, guesthouses, shared apartments, rooms with families
Housing application deadline(s) Same as above
Cost estimates per month (in EURO)
Housing
Meals
Books
Local Transportation
Health Insurance

Cost of living

The estimated cost of living in Iceland for a single person is ISK 95.325 per month (minimal support guidelines set by the Ministry for Social Affairs - January 2006 guidelines). You should expect to pay between 30,000 and 40,000 ISK per month for a single room with access to kitchen and bathroom and at least 70,000 ISK for a small apartment.

Following is a rough estimate of expenses for a single person living in Reykjavík:                                                                                 (prices in ISK)


Bus fare from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík

1200

Overnight stay at a hostel (members/ non-members)

1700/ 2100

Access to a Swimming Pool                                                

350

Movie Ticket

800

Theatre

2900

Daily Newspaper

220

Public Bus Ticket                                                                

280

Bus Card valid for a month in Reykjavík

5600

1 loaf of bread

280

1 litre of milk

120

10 eggs (1 carton)

300

Glass of beer (0.5l)                                                              

700

Bottle of wine

1000+

Lunch at a restaurant

1500+

Dinner at a restaurant

2500+

1 litre of petrol/gasoline                                                      

120


The Icelandic social security system is a residence-based system. To be insured with the SSSI (State Social Security Institute, Tryggingastofnun Ríkisins) a person must have been registered with a domicile in the National Registry for six months. Iceland is a part of the European Economic Area. The EEA agreement includes regulations on the application of social security plans to employed persons, to self-employed persons, and to members of their families moving within the community. Iceland also h as an agreement on social security with the other Nordic countries, the United Kingdom, and Austria that covers those who are not already covered by the EEA agreement. Persons from EEA states can bring with them form E104/N104 to confirm insurance for the last six months in the country of origin and thus be insured from the date of their entry in the National Registry. A national health insurance card is issued for those persons insured in Iceland.

Persons insured in EEA states should bring forms E106, E109, E111.

A person who is not insured in Iceland or other EEA states can obtain medical assistance but must, of course, pay in full. That person can then seek reimbursement from his own insurance in the country of origin or with his private insurance.

The information below is aimed at persons insured in Iceland with the SSSI (Tryggingastofnun Ríkisins):

You can apply for a national health insurance card at the SSSI office in Tryggvagata 28, 101 Reykjavík. Here you fill out a form and choose a general practitioner (heimilislæknir) from a list of doctors practising in the area where you live. If you are in sured in an EEA state, you should bring your EEA certificate to the SSSI office (Tryggingastofnun Ríkisins, Sjúkratryggingadeild), Laugavegur 114, 105 Reykjavík.

Additional fees to pay None
Comparable health insurance coverage from abroad allowed/not allowed See above.
Health facilities at the university Students have access to some sport facilities.
Last update of this information January 2008