UNIVERSITY OF ICELAND
REYKJAVIK
Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland, its largest city and, with a latitude at 64°08' N, the world's northernmost national capital. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay. The city and metropolitan area have a total population of 190,000, which means that 2 of 3 Icelanders live in Reykjavik. Despite its extreme north Atlantic location, Reykjavik is not as cold as might be expected. The average mid-winter temperatures are no lower than those in Toronto or New York City thanks to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. It does, however, rain quite a lot. Reykjavik is widely known for its lively night- and cultural life.
UNIVERSITY OF ICELAN
The University of Iceland (UI) is a state university, founded in 1911. It is situated in the heart of Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. A modern, diversified and rapidly developing institution, the UI offers opportunities for study and research in almost 300 degree programs in the humanities, sciences and social sciences, and in professional fields such as theology, law, business, medicine, odontology and engineering. Icelandic is the principal language of instruction at the University of Iceland. You can take afternoon classes in Icelandic, but there are also quite a few courses taught in English.
ASSORTED FACTS
TUITION
Icelandic institutions of higher education do charge tuition fees, but they are very low and normally do not exceed ISK 40.000. And before you swoon: ISK 100 equals roughly 10 Norwegian kroner.
ACCOMMODATION
Estimated cost of living in Iceland is about 80.000 Icelandic kronas (ISK)/ month/ person depending. You should expect to pay between 28.000 and 36.000 ISK per month for a single room with access to kitchen and bathroom and at least 65.000 ISK for a small apartment. The UI does not have on-campus residencial halls.
KEY DATES
The Icelandic academic year resembles that of Norway. Classes start ultimo August or primo September and autumn examinations start medio December. Christmas vacation lasts a couple of weeks, and spring classes resume primo January. Classes end medio April and final examinations start ultimo April, lasting for about two weeks.
VISA
Norwegian citizens do not need a visa to live or study in Iceland.
CURIO
Because of the special geological situation in Iceland with its high concentration of volcanoes, geothermal energy is very often used for heating and production of electricity. The energy is so inexpensive that in the wintertime, some sidewalks in Reykjavík and Akureyri are heated. Most houses in Reykjavík use the geothermal heating system which is the largest system of its kind in the world.
LINKS: THE UNIVERSITY AND ANSA'S COUNTRY PAGES
www.hi.is/
www.ansa.no/land/island |
