University of Iceland
MAUI-Utrecht Network Exchange Program
This program is part of the MAUI-Utrecht Network 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 Network 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.
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 320,000 people and provides instruction for some 15,000 students studying in five schools and 25 faculties. In addition to the major schools there are numerous research institutes attached to the University. With its 635 tenured teachers, some 2.000 non-tenured teachers, and numerous 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 many 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 2010/2011 (indicate total number of semesters) |
2-3 students for 1-2 semesters | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Areas of study open for MAUI students | Exchange students may take a combination of courses and subjects from different schools/faculties: http://www.hi.is/en/university/programmes_on_offer |
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| Areas of study restricted to prior bilateral agreements between the exchanging departments or faculties | School of Medicine is restricted to prior agreements between the exchanging faculties. |
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| Areas of study not available to MAUI students | MBA is closed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Utrecht
Network contact person (name, full address, phone/fax/email) |
Director: All incoming & outgoing to non European countries: Ms. Erla Björk Atladóttir Office of International Education |
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| Contact person for incoming students (name, full address, phone/fax/e-mail) | Ms. Erla Björk Atladóttir |
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| General web site of the university | www.hi.is | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Web site of the international office/information web site for incoming students | www.hi.is/en/university/office_of_international_education | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Academic calendar | The academic year is divided into two semesters, fall and spring, each semester lasting thirteen weeks. The academic calendar varies somewhat from one faculty to another. Generally the fall semester begins in early September with examinations in December, while the spring semester begins in early January with examinations completed by the middle of May. Some faculties start their courses the last week of August: |
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| Examination period(s) | See above | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Orientation session(s) for incoming students | Late August / Early September for the fall semester and early January for the spring semester. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ECTS available | Yes, all fields | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Application deadline(s) for admission | Fall semester and a full academic year: 1 May Spring semester: 1 October |
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| Application material on the web site or being mailed | http://www.hi.is/en/exchange_student_application Further information and an access to the application form will be sent to nominated students
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| Course registration deadline(s) | Upon arrival | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Language requirements | We do not request a TOEFL score (or similar) but rather rely on our partner institutions to evaluate the student’s English proficiency and to only nominate students with excellent knowledge of English. This is to make sure students do not have problems during their exchange period as they cannot expect any special assistance due to language problems. A self assessment of English proficiency is included in the student application. |
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| Language test certificate requirements | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preparatory language course for incoming students | The Faculty of Icelandic and Comparative Cultural Studies offers a full degree programme in Icelandic for international students. Intensive Language Preparation Course in Icelandic for Exchange Students is organized by the Office of International Education and is held in August each year. It is free of charge for Erasmus and Nordplus exchange students. The cost for other exchange students is 500 Euros. All participants will need to pay a moderate fee for course material. Further information can be found at: http://ask.hi.is/page/ilpc |
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| Courses taught in English | The principal language of instruction at the University is Icelandic, but most faculties give courses in English as well. Various programmes are now taught entirely in English. Examples of these are Medieval Studies, graduate studies in Environment and Natural Resources, studies in Renewable Energy Engineering, International Studies in Education and an international L.L.M. programme. |
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| Internships available | Not much availability | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Student employment | Allowed but not much availability | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Housing assistance | The Office of International Education assists accepted exchange students in finding housing for the academic year/semester (1 September – 15 May). Students will be given access to a database with available accommodation. Students can therefore choose the accommodation they prefer from that list and contact the chosen landlord directly. All accepted students will get access to this website at that same date. |
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| Housing options | The types of housing that are available are:
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| Housing application deadline(s) | Same as the general application deadline | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost
estimates per month (in EURO) Housing Meals Books Local Transportation Health Insurance |
housing: 350 – 600 Euro The estimated cost of living in Iceland for a single person is ISK 99,329 per month (minimal support guidelines set by the Ministry for Social Affairs).
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| Additional fees to pay | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comparable health insurance coverage from abroad allowed/not allowed | Allowed but needs to be on a government list of approved insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Health facilities at the university | A sport center on campus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other relevant information | Guide for International Students is published for each academic year and can be found at http://www.hi.is/en/university/promotional_material A hard copy is sent to each student along with the acceptance letter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summer Courses available? If so, please list | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last update of this information | January 14, 2010 |
How to Apply/Application Process: Please check with your home university advisor for deadlines & application procedures for this program. If you are a UMSL student who would like to apply, please visit the Study Abroad Application Deadlines & Procedures page.