The general entrance requirement for the Practical Diploma programme is a foreign equivalent to the Icelandic matriculation examination (stúdentspróf) and a proof of English proficiency, in the form of TOEFL ibt (in test centre or home, minimum score 79), IELTS Academic (in test centre, minimum score 6.5), Cambridge English (CAE or CPE) or PTE Academic (in test centre or online, minimum score 58).
The general entrance requirement for the BA programme is a foreign equivalent to the Icelandic matriculation examination (stúdentspróf). Applicants also have to pass a special admission exam, offered online. The required level of skills needed to pass this exam equals that of Icelandic Online 1 and Icelandic Online 2, self-study courses which are to be found free of charge online (icelandiconline.com). Students from language schools in Iceland need to have finished 5 levels of Icelandic.
The Admission Test takes place at 12:00 on the 10th of June at the University of Iceland. Those who are unable to take the test at the University of Iceland, must take it at an examination center in Iceland. Further information will be sent to applicants.
New students, who have a good prior knowledge of Icelandic language beyond the required basic skills, may take examinations comparable to the first-year examinations of the BA programme late in August each year. Students who pass all these six examinations may go directly into the second year of the BA programme.
If you have questions regarding the entrance requirements, please contact admission@hi.is.
Entrance fees and grants
There are no tuition fees at the University of Iceland but students pay a yearly registration fee, ISK 75.000 for the academic year (more information). The University of Iceland does not offer any grants for foreign students but each year around 15 state grants are offered by Icelandic authorities to students who are studying Icelandic as a second language (more information).
Deadlines for applications
Icelandic as a Second Language only accepts new students for the Fall semester of each academic year. The application deadline for is February 1. Students who already have an Icelandic personal ID number (kennitala) can also apply for the BA programme from March 1 to May 20, and from March 1 to June 5 for the Practical Diploma, through the communication portal.
- General information on how and when to apply.
- Application form (open online from December 15th).
- Student grants.