FAQ's
Q: Can I change courses once the semester has started?
Q: Can I choose courses from different study programmes?
Q: Can I choose graduate courses if I am an undergraduate student?
Q: Does Reykjavik University offer scholarships?
Q: How much money do I need for living costs?
Q: How is the medical insurance arranged?
Q: Does the university assist me in finding accommodation?
Q: Can foreign students work during their studies?
Q: How is the academic year?
Q: Repeating exams, when are they?
Q: How do I register for classes when I am an exchange/visiting student?
Q: Do I need a temporary residence permit?
Q: When is the application deadline for exchange students?
Q: When does the semester begin?
Q: Are all the courses taught in English?
Q: When is the perfect time for me to arrive in Iceland?
Can I change courses once the semester has started?
Yes, the first ten days of each semester students have the opportunity to change courses. There is and add and drop period every semester. You can find this dates in the academic calendar.
Can I choose courses from different study programmes?
Yes, in many cases you can choose courses which are not within your study programme. There are however limitations, e.g. if there are prerequisites. You have to take into account that selecting courses from different schools could cause overlapping in your class schedule.
Can I choose graduate courses if I am an undergraduate student?
The University's policy in this regard does not allow undergraduate students to select or study graduate classes. You must have obtained a minimum of 180 ECTS prior your arrival to Iceland.
Does Reykjavik University offer scholarships?
Reykjavik University does not provide any scholarships, but you can probably receive a grant from Erasmus/Nordplus Exchange Programme, when your application is approved. This mobility grant is not meant to cover all living costs, only the costs of living abroad.
How much money do I need for living costs?
The total cost of living in Reykjavík for an exchange student is approximately around 140.000 ISK (please check the current exchange for the ISK and EUR). For example, a monthly rent for a room can range between 45.000 ISK and 70.000 ISK. The remaining budget could count for entertainment, transportation, meals, etc. It will always depend on each student's lifestyle.
All these costs were obtained based on the information published by the Office of Icelandic Student Loan Fund.
How is the medical insurance arranged?
Iceland is a part of the European Economic Area, therefore to be insured in Iceland for the first six months, students within the EU/EEA should bring the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This does not apply for citizens of Nordic countries as they are automatically insured in Iceland. Citizens from other countries than the EU/EEA can of course obtain medical assistance but must pay in full. They can then seek reimbursement from their own insurance in their country of origin or from their private insurance company.
Does the university assist me in finding accommodation?
Reykjavik University does not have campus residences. In order to help international students in finding accommodation, Reykjavik University has made agreements with few guesthouses where international students can rent a room with access to a kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities. Please, for more detailed information on housing click here.
Can foreign students work during their studies?
Although exchange students can apply for a work permit, Reykjavik University does not recommend that students do so. The workload in each study programme is heavy and it is often difficult to combine additional work with your studies.
How is the academic year?
The academic year consists of two semesters. The fall semester usually runs from the middle of August to mid-December and the spring semester from the beginning of January to the middle of May. There is usually a teaching break of two weeks at Christmas and Easter holidays. At the end of each semester the school offers the opportunity to repeat exams that either a student did not pass or if a student was sick during the final exams period. For exact dates, please check the Academic calendar.
Repeating exams, when are they held?
Repeating exams are at the end of each semester. For exact dates, please check the Academic calendar.
How do I register for classes when I am an exchange student?
A representative from the International Office will process your application and a representative of the Academic Department will register you in the classes you selected. You can always expect to make changes in your first selection of courses. Definite registration takes place after arrival. Students will receive instructions/help from the departmental coordinator on how to register and/or change courses.
Do I need a temporary residence permit?
Nordic citizens intending to stay for less than six months do not need to apply for a residence permit.
Citizens of EEA or EFTA countries intending to stay for less than six months no longer need residence permits, but instead, those individuals now shall register their residence with the National Registry, Þjóðskrá. In order to apply for Icelandic ID number, students must have a valid passport.
Students that are planning to stay longer than six months will have to apply for an extension of residence during their stay in the country.
Further information can be found on at the website of the Directorate of Immigration here.
When is the application deadline for exchange students?
May 1st for the admission to Fall semester starting in August of the same year.
November 1st for admission to Spring semester starting in January of the following year
When does the semester begin?
The Fall semester begins at the middle of August and the Spring semester at the beginning of January. For detailed information please check the academic calendar.
Are all the courses taught in English?
Each semester a number of courses are taught in English. You can find the online catalogue of courses taught in English and course descriptions here.
When is the perfect time for me to arrive in Iceland?
Each semester begins with an Orientation Program. These Introduction days consist in two days which are normally held the two working days before classes begin. It is important to attend this part of the Orientation Program in order to adjust to your studies and to a new culture, etc. So, we recommend to arrive to Iceland a day or two before the Orientation Program starts.
For further information click here.
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