How to Study Masters in Iceland: Application Process, Tuition and Cost of Living

Iceland is not named after the fact that it’s an icy place (at least not anymore). But, do not be confused – Iceland has lots of snow and glaciers,just like Greenland. Iceland has plenty of mythical wonders, and is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, with active volcanoes and glacial rivers occupying parts of its tiny land area . Simply put, Iceland is a land of fire and ice.

Iceland is ranked number 3 on the World Happiness Index and houses peaceful and adventurous people. For international students, if you’re searching for a unique place to pursue your Master’s degree, you’ll find lots of mountains to climb in Iceland during your free time.

Why study in Iceland?

Iceland’s university education is quite recent. To provide context, their first university was founded sometime in 1911. What this means is that Iceland’s universities were established in a modern context, instead of an ancient or medieval one.

For international students, this means you’re studying in an environment where universities are keen on staying relevant, current, and innovative. Instead of relying on faded traditions and ancient systems, Iceland universities always deliver fascinating university programmes to prepare you for a 21st century environment.

So, if you’re searching for a study abroad destination to advance and grow your career potential, take the next flight to Iceland to enroll in one of their leading and world class university programmes.

Tuition fees for universities in Iceland

If you study at one of the top public universities in Iceland, you won’t be asked to pay any tuition fees. You will, however, have to pay a one-time,non-refundable registration fee, which goes between 100 and 250 EUR.

Private institutions are a different story. Their tuition fees are quite expensive, and change depending on whether you’re an EU or an international student.

For EU students, they are expected to pay anywhere between 2,000 EUR and 7,000 EUR per semester, depending on your education level.
Non-EU students on the other hand will pay roughly between 12,000 EUR and 30,000 EUR, depending on the level and course involved.

Living Expenses for Iceland

Due to its rather isolated location and tundra climate, living in Iceland is quite expensive. But, thousands of international students manage to get by thanks to the cheap tuition prices. In addition, with all of the natural beauty and scenery all over Iceland, there are hundreds of ways to have fun for free!

Generally, you should put together a minimum of 1,000 EUR/month to take care of living expenses in Iceland.

Here is a breakdown of living expenses to expect in Iceland:

Renting a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre: 2,100 EUR per month
3-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: 93 EUR
Milk: 1.25 EUR
Bread: 2.87 EUR
Cappuccino: 4 EUR
Beer: 8 EUR
Monthly transportation pass (train, metro, bus): 95 EUR

How to Apply for a Master’s Program in Iceland

If you’ve made up your mind to study a Master’s degree at a university in Iceland, you will be required to put together the right documents to prove that you satisfy the university requirements.Do well to provide complete personal information, previous qualifications, financial information, and a personal statement.

What documents do you need to provide to apply in Iceland?

Inorder to apply to a university in Iceland you will likely be required to provide some of the following documents:

birth certificate;
recent photos;
your passport or national identity card;
one or more reference letters from past employers or teachers;
copies of past diplomas or certificates, including your graduated Bachelor’s degree;
academic transcripts;
letter of intent;
Curriculum Vitae;
Sufficient proof that you can support yourself in the country during your studies.

Based on the subject or specialization of your chosen Master’s, you may also be required to provide scores for additional tests such as the GRE, GMAT or LSAT. Do well to check if your course requires any of these, or others.

The list of documents required depend largely on the specific requirements of universities in Iceland, so you may be asked to include additional documents. It’s also possible you’ll have to provide official English translations of your documents, or translations in the local language.

Prove your English skills

Since you’ll study an international degree in English, you’ll have to submit a language certificate. Some popular options for international students are as follows: IELTS, TOEFL or C1 Advanced language certificates. You’ll be required to meet a minimum language score set by the university, and your test scores must not be older than 1-2 years. If you fail to meet the minimum language requirements, you will have to improve your skills and scores by going through an English preparation course.

Application deadlines for Iceland

The deadlines for applying to a Master’s in Iceland are typically during summer (June-July), or in winter (January-February). Bear in mind that some universities do not application deadlines, which means you can apply whenever you are ready.

Inorder to avoid delays or missed deadlines, do well to send your required documents with plenty of time in advance.