The Medieval Icelandic Studies (MIS) programme at the University of Iceland is a three-semester graduate programme resulting in an MA degree in Medieval Icelandic Studies. The programme is designed for international students who hold a bachelor’s degree with a medieval component in at least one of the following areas: literature, history, religion, linguistics, anthropology, archaeology, art history or folklore. The medieval component is typically a university course with a medieval element.
The language of instruction is English.
Prior knowledge of Old Icelandic/Old Norse is not required, but applicants are strongly encouraged to complete levels 1–2 of the free online course Icelandic Online before enrolment.
The Medieval Icelandic Studies programme is run in cooperation with the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies (Stofnun Árna Magnússonar í íslenskum fræðum), a research institute with close ties to the University of Iceland and the custodian of a large collection of medieval Icelandic manuscripts (the Árni Magnússon Collection that was inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register in 2009) and databases for Icelandic folklore, onomastics and lexicography.
The program is aimed at providing graduate students with the necessary tools to study Old/Medieval Icelandic texts in the original and in their manuscript context, with a special emphasis on interdisciplinary study. The program provides preparation for those interested in pursuing research in Viking Studies, Old Norse Myth, and religion, the history of the medieval north as well as medieval Nordic literature (sagas, eddic and skaldic poetry).
For whom?
The Medieval Icelandic Studies programme welcomes qualified students with different academic backgrounds from all over the world. Our current and former students form a diverse and international group of talented people from countries including Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Switzerland, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Spain, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, with university degrees in, for instance, Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic, anthropology, archaeology, comparative literature, education, English, English literature, French, history, linguistics, medieval studies, modern languages and literature, philosophy, Scandinavian languages, Scandinavian literature, or Scandinavian studies. Learn more about our students …
Fees
There are no tuition fees charged in the Medieval Icelandic Studies programme. This applies equally to students of all nationalities. The University of Iceland charges an annual registration fee of ISK 75,000 (approximately 530 EUR or 600 USD depending on the exchange rate).
Applications
The application deadline is February 1st of every year. Please see our Entry Requirements and Application Requirements.
Questions?
We welcome your questions about the Medieval Icelandic Studies programme at oldnorse@hi.is.