Study Abroad In Iceland

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Admission Requirements for Study in Iceland
Cost of Studying in Iceland
Student Visa Requirements for Study in Iceland
Study Abroad Programs in Iceland
Study in Iceland Scholarships
Top Universities in Iceland
Why study in Iceland?

Iceland Becoming A Favorite Study Destination With High Quality Stress On Education

Iceland is a North Atlantic Ocean country, very close up to the Arctic pole and is considered to be a developed country where education system is high class. Even though the country of Iceland is not belonging to European Union, it is a signatory of the Schengen agreement, thereby allowing students from the other signatories of this agreement, free movement within the country. The natural ambience of the country is impregnated with scenic beauties, and is astonishingly varied with geysers, glaciers, geothermal sources, natural renewable energies, fisheries and volcano peaks covered with snow.

Why to study in Iceland

With a historical background that makes every Icelandic native proud and a rebellion movement for independence that continued till the 1990s, passing from under one rule to another, Iceland finally was able t built its sovereignty in the late 1990s, when it became the most economically developed country in the region, mostly due to the banking sector boom. Although the present situation is improving again after the 2008 recession, growth phase is further having scope.

• In all the milieu, the higher education in Iceland has maintained its uniqueness and therefore has become one of the sought after systems of education in the European nations.
• Iceland has the distinction of being the most liberal country in the Nordic region with stringent action against gender inequality and child protection and even religion. There is a rich cultural heritage of the country with many people believing more than anyone else in the history of their country. Heritage of the country is still revered and respected and people celebrate many of their historical events, every year.
• The geology and climate of Iceland is another attractive feature for the students to set their foot on this land. It is a country that is known as land of fire and ice and is located over the Mid Atlantic Ridge. 11% of the country is covered with glaciers. There are the largest numbers of volcanoes found in Iceland and many of them are also quite active.
• With all the natural resources and picturesque landscapes, Iceland also has a well established system of education that dates back to a century or so, which promises wholesome development of the students.

Infrastructure

• Presently, there are 7 universities of higher education that are operating in Iceland. 4 universities are under the state control while the remaining 3 have control by the private organizations. Depending on the facilities for research activities, these are termed as universities and University College. These 7 universities are having 2 universities dealing with agriculture, one in arts and the remaining 4 are having a number of specialized subjects.
• Four institutions are outside the capital city of Reykjavik, which the other three are present within the capital.
• Since the first university got established in 1911, the country has come forwards by huge strides. All universities are under the provisions of the Higher Education Institutions Act of 2006 and are under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.
• There is a National Qualifications Framework of 2007, which shall be followed by all accredited higher educational institutions. This is in accordance and in similar lines to the European Qualifications Framework, under which learning outcomes are to be declared for each semester course.
• Apart from the 7 universities, there are smaller level institutions, which offer specialized courses by having authorization from the universities and these courses are also recognized by the government.
• Academic year in most universities starts from August or September to the same time in the coming year. Teaching is carried out from September to May after which the university conducts its examination and there are two semesters, the spring and the autumn. The former session starts from beginning of January to the end of May while the autumn session starts from beginning of September to somewhere around 20^th December. Sometimes summer sessions can also be available that starts from May and ends in august.
• The students enjoy some vacation times with Christmas holidays for 2 weeks while the Easter holidays are for 1 week. And the summer season extends for about 3 months.
• According to Bologna System of Education, the students need to have secured credit points of 60 for every year and 30 for each semester.

Admission requirements

• A minimum qualification of pass in the matriculation examination or equivalent degree is required. This allows students to get into the bachelor’s courses.
• Master’s degree is possible for the students after completion of their bachelor’s degrees or an equivalent 3 years study at higher education level. At this stage, the students should get admitted in learning programs that is an extension of their bachelor’s degree.
• Students who wish to enter into doctoral courses will have to pass the master’s degree and similarly have to be involved in research activities. Many universities do not require any examinations for entry at this level but educational qualifications and work experience is considered to be a must for many universities.
• Some master’s program require the students to possess a grade point of 7.5 and are not required to sit for any entrance exam.
• The final decision to admit a student lies entirely with the respective faculty, institution and the university.
• Although the higher education system and the applications are dependent on many systems of which the application deadline is from March to June so that the session of the fall can be started from September.

Once the students are able to make their decision regarding the foreign universities in which they will follow a certain course, then they can go forward and download the application form and this is sent directly to the higher education university. The documents that are required for this process are

• A filled in application form
• Suitable previous degree or school leaving certificate
• Certificate showing competency in the language of Iceland or English
• Recommendation letters
• Curriculum vitae in English format

Further specific information can be received from the particular Iceland University in which the students are applying for the particular course.

Visa requirements

• For the non-EU students, applying for Visa is essential if they are to stay in Iceland for their course durations and this is more than 3 months duration. Even those who are under Schengen agreements are required to apply for the residence permit or resident visa.
• When students are applying for their visas in their respective consulates, they will have to keep certain points in mind. The visa application will require the submission of the

The letter of acceptance from the higher education universities in which the students have applied

• Passport pages photocopy where the visa stamping will be done
• An adequate health insurance plan is a must which the students can also avail in the country itself, as directed by the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration.
• A bank statement of the past records showing that these people have the eligibility
• Documentation about the accommodation details in the country
• Criminal record and such legal hassles are to be faced first.
• All of these documents will have to be translated into English or to other languages such as Spanish, Greek, Danish and Norwegian.

Cost of living

• The cost of studying and living in Iceland is not very high and lower than that of many developed countries. State run education universities are usually seen to provide scholarships and the universities are not having any tuition fee charges. Private institutions are having fees but this again is, if not less, then it is usually similar to that in other European countries. On an average the tuition fees cost around 4,500 Euros to 8,000 Euros.
• In order to register as international students, people will have to provide their registration fee of 100 to 150 Euros.
• Living costs of the students will involve expenditure on what everything about lifestyle is released. But the usual charges can be 660 Euros, if the candidate adjusts with many of the other expenditures such as transportation, utilities, food and entertainment.
• EU students are supposed to pay less than the non-EU students and this is within an average of 30-60 Euros for the purpose of tuition fee.

Scholarships

• The Iceland Ministry of Education, Science and Culture provide scholarships to students who wish to study language, literature and history in the University of Iceland in Reykjavik.

• Research purpose grants are provided by the universities in order to help the doctoral students who are involved in the research accounts, Icelandic languages and articles.
• Icelandic Student Loan funds are fresh for those students who arrive for exchange programs.
• Students’ loan funds are organized by the government of Iceland and are meant to provide financial benefits to many students from developing and underdeveloped countries. This fund provides assistance for the first two semesters and to those who have secure more than 75% in their previous education

Expected Outcome

Even though there are a few universities in the country, Iceland is one of the best developed countries in Europe, where the education system is based on technology and research. Due to this reason, the students are able to get recruited into good brands and also can work in Iceland, if they have a work permit with them.