University of Wisconsin–Madison
Back to Top

University of Iceland

A green mountain behind a dark blue lake. The colorful buildings and rooftops of Reykjavik are just peaking out in the foreground.
The city of Reykjavik at night, full of buildings with pinpricks of light. A looming, snow-covered mountain is visible behind the buildings.

Iceland, Reykjavik

The University of Iceland, founded in 1911, is a progressive educational and scientific institution, renowned in the global scientific community for its research. It is a state university situated in the heart of colorful Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. There are around 14,000 students enrolled at the University, including over 1,000 international students (although few from the United States).

The University of Iceland has five academic schools, each comprised of a number of faculties. The academic schools are the School of Education, the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, the School of Health Sciences, the School of Humanities, and the School of Social Sciences. In addition, the university operates a number of research and service institutions. The academic year consists of two 13-week semesters.

Learning Objectives

We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:

  • Navigate new educational systems, as well as new learning and teaching style
  • Observe Icelandic perspectives on academic disciplines.               
  • Take advantage of academic strengths in:
    -Earth, Life, Environmental and Physical Sciences
    -Humanities
    -Social Sciences

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

Request Information

Join our email list to receive program updates-including application notices, scholarship information, and more!

Eligibility

  • 2.5 cumulative GPA
  • Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students only
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

Exchange & Direct Enroll

Subjects

Business, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences

Classroom Language

English, Icelandic

Housing

Responsible for arranging your own housing

Program Duration

Academic Year: Late August - Mid-May

Fall: Late August - Mid-December

Spring: Early January - Mid-May

Application Deadline(s)

Spring 2026-27 8/7/2026 Cost Details
Year 2027-28 2/19/2027 Cost Details
Fall 2027-28 2/19/2027 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

The University of Iceland uses the ECTS credit system. You will take a minimum of 30 ECTS per semester.

You must take 60% of your courses at University of Iceland within one faculty, your major field of study (in which you will be nominated to the program).

Note for geosciences students: In order to be eligible for undergraduate courses in the Faculty of Earth Sciences at the University of Iceland, you will need to have completed 30 credits at UW-Madison in that subject area. Please see the additional admission requirements for Earth Sciences students.

Course timetable information

Credit system information

The following faculties have courses available in English:

Education: Education and Diversity (undergraduate, graduate), Teacher Education (undergraduate)

Engineering and Natural Sciences: Civil and Environmental Engineering (graduate), Earth Sciences (undergraduate, graduate), Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science (undergraduate, graduate), Life and Environmental Sciences (undergraduate, graduate), Physical Sciences (undergraduate)

Health Sciences: Food Science and Nutrition (undergraduate, graduate)

Humanities: Philosophy, History, and Archaeology (undergraduate, graduate), Icelandic and Comparative Cultural Studies (undergraduate, graduate), Languages and Cultures (undergraduate, graduate)

Social Sciences: Sociology, Anthropology, and Folkloristics (undergraduate and graduate), Business Administration (undergraduate, graduate), Law (graduate), Political Science (graduate)

Review the course guide (select your year and term). The list of courses available to exchange students for the upcoming year is published annually in late February or early March. Until then, you may consult the current year’s list as a guide.

On the toolbar you can narrow down classes. The most helpful ones will be:

  • School-Faculty (choose the faculty that best matches your major)
  • Term (semester you are attending)
  • For courses, check both “Undergraduate” box and “Undergraduate and Graduate” box, then Search.
  • Pay attention to the English language flag
Click into the classes that interest you. A red or yellow flag means there are required or recommended pre-requisites.
  • Course codes ending in G are open to all students.
  • Course codes ending in M are open to third-year undergraduates (two years of prerequisite study in that subject) through first-year grad students.
  • Undergraduates cannot take any courses listed as graduate level, not even through petitioning.

Affiliate Institution(s)

University of Iceland University of Iceland Information for Incoming Students

Foreign Courses

Courses for Incoming Students

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents