Iceland
A beautiful island situated on the edge of the North Atlantic, Iceland is just a three-hour flight from London. Studying there might be more accessible than you first thought…
Iceland is home to seven universities, which are:
The University of Iceland is the oldest and most respected institution in the country. It sits in the top 275 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2012-13 and is ranked just outside the top 100 in the European rankings.
There are also accredited institutions that provide higher education. Examples include The Reykjavik Academy of Singing and Vocal Arts and Keilir - Atlantic Centre of Excellence.
Contact details and websites of all seven universities, as well as other higher education institutions, can be found at Study in Iceland - Higher Education .
The academic year lasts from September to May and is divided into two semesters.
A recognised undergraduate degree is needed to pursue postgraduate education in Iceland. Contact the admissions office of your chosen university to find out if you are eligible to apply.
You may have to sit an exam in order to gain entrance to a higher education institution. Some universities grant admission to students who have completed their study abroad, but it is down to the individual institution.
Each university will have different entry requirements so approach them directly to ensure you follow the correct guidelines.
The majority of institutions teach in Icelandic, although some individual courses are taught entirely in English. Make sure to check which language the course is delivered in before you apply.
In Iceland there are no tuition fees at the state-run universities, but you will be required to pay a registration fee. The state manages five universities, but as you may expect, the other, privately run universities charge tuition fees.
For example, the University of Iceland requires no tuition fees but the current annual registration fee is ISK 60,000, which is almost £300.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture in Iceland awards a number of annual scholarships to foreign students looking to study Icelandic language, literature and history at the University of Iceland.
Grants are also available at individual universities. For example, Reykavík University awards grants to outstanding first-year Masters students. For more information, see Reykavík University - Scholarships and Awards .
Speak to your chosen institution about the specific scholarships it offers.
Reykjavík University offers summer courses in a variety of subjects, including business, computer science, engineering, Icelandic and sport science. For more information visit Reykjavík University - REYST Summer School .
In addition, Erasmus runs intensive summer language courses for exchange students in partnership with the University Centre of the Westfjords. For more information visit Study in Iceland - Language Course for Exchange Students .
British citizens and the majority of European Union (EU) passport holders do not require a visa to study in Iceland.
Citizens of EU countries who reside in Iceland to study, require a residence permit to increase their stay after three months. These are usually granted quickly upon request.
Non-EU students should contact the Icelandic embassy in the country in which they reside.
Renowned for its natural beauty and high standard of living, Iceland made Lonely Planet's top 10 places to visit in 2013. So why not make it your home?
The global financial crisis of 2008 hit Iceland very hard. In October 2008, Iceland's government took control of all three of the countries major banks in an attempt to stabilise the countries finances. It has appeared to work, as the country has showed signs of growth in last few years.
Iceland is well-known amongst the rest of Europe for industries such as: fish processing, aluminium smelting, hydro-electric power production and tourism.
Icelandic employers require graduates with relative skills and experience in their chosen field.
Internships and summer work placements for students can be arranged by:
There are fewer opportunities to teach English in Iceland than elsewhere in Europe, mainly because locals are taught the language from a young age.
Voluntary work is a great option for those looking to improve their Icelandic language skills and sample what the country has to offer.
SEEDS is an Icelandic non-profit volunteer organisation designed to help protect and promote the environment. In 2011, the movement ran 100 projects with more than 1,000 international volunteers from 55 countries.
Make sure you extensively research all volunteering opportunities and check the terms and conditions before applying.
Having the ability to speak basic Icelandic will be important when applying for any job. Some roles will require a higher level of Icelandic than others, for example, working in the healthcare sector.
There are many Icelandic language courses on offer in Iceland, with the majority available in the captial city, Reykjavík.
Iceland is not currently part of the EU, but it has lodged its application and membership is expected by 2014.
UK nationals and the majority of EU citizens do not need a visa. A full list of those who do not need a visa to enter Iceland can be found at Directorate of Immigration - Who Does Not Need a Visa to Enter Iceland .
EU citizens can live in Iceland for three months, but then need relevant paperwork to extend their stay. A residence permit is normally granted automatically to EU citizens.
If you are from a non-EU country, then contact the Iceland embassy in your country for more information.
Once you have resided in Iceland for six months you automatically become a member of the Icelandic social insurance system, regardless of nationality.
For country-specific information on social security entitlements, see European Commission - Your Rights Country by Country .