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INTRODUCTION 7International and unique 7International Office 8
PLANNING YOUR STUDY ABROAD 9Admission – International degree seeking students 9Admission – Exchange students 9Student residence permit 10Work permit 11Health issues 11Accommodation 12Mentor system 13Climate in Iceland and what to pack 13Cancellation of stay 14Academic year 14Course catalogue 14Subjects and credits 14Grading system 15Language of instruction 15Icelandic language and culture courses 15
ARRIVING IN REYKJAVÍK 18Orientation meeting 18Registration/student residence permit 18Registration at the University of Iceland 19Ugla - intranet and email 20Introduction to Iceland 20
STUDENT SERVICES & STUDENT LIFE 21Service Desk at the University Centre 21Student Registration 21International Office 21School and Faculty Offices 22National and University Library of Iceland 22Computing Service 22
University Student Counselling and Career Centre 24Icelandic Student Services 24Student Council 25Student Associations 25University Sports Centre 26University Cinema 26Open University 26
LIVING IN ICELAND 28Iceland – New and different 28Reykjavík – Pure energy 28Public holidays 30Currency 30Cost of living 31Health care and emergency services 31Shopping 31Buses 32Telephones and post offices 32Working in Iceland 32
GOING BACK HOME 34Transcript of records 34Obtain the signatures needed 34Final report 34Inform Registers Iceland of your departure 34Accommodation 34
IMPORTANT CONTACTS 36University offices 36Other important contacts in Iceland 37Useful websites 38
SCHOOLS AND FACULTIES 41
MAP OF CAMPUS 42
Table of Contents
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Dear International Student
Welcome to the University of Iceland.
I am delighted that you have decided to come to Iceland and study at the University of Iceland. The University is part of a global network of learning and strives to create opportunities for local young people as well as those that come from afar.
The University of Iceland, founded in 1911, is a
progressive educational and international research
institution. It places great emphasis on research and
educating young people; preparing them for taking
an active part in society as well as making their
mark in the global community. Currently there are
around 14,000 students enrolled at the University
including over 1,000 international students.
Dynamic and extensive collaboration with research
institutions and industry is an important factor in
the University´s operations. Furthermore, working
with leading universities in the world is the found-
ation for an international network of knowledge.
One of the University’s long-term goals is becoming
a leading international university; and it is now
ranked among the best 300 universities by the
Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
This booklet contains information that I trust
will prove useful for you, about the academic
community at the University and the various services
provided for students.
International students are a welcome addition
to our academic environment and are very much
appreciated.
Again, welcome to Iceland, and welcome to the
University of Iceland. I hope that you will enjoy your
time here, both in your studies at the University, but
also living in Reykjavik and that you will look back at
your time here with fond memories.
Kristín Ingólfsdóttir, Rector / President
Address by the Rector
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International and unique
The University of Iceland has been the centre of
knowledge in Iceland for more than a century.
Continuous development and a clear vision for the
future are, and will continue to be, the strength of
the University.
The University of Iceland is a public university,
situated in the heart of Reykjavík, the capital of
Iceland. A modern, diversified and rapidly
developing institution, the University offers
opportunities for study and research in over 400
programmes spanning most academic fields:
Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Humanities,
Education, Engineering and Natural Sciences. The
University of Iceland is the only university in Iceland
offering undergraduate and graduate programmes
in all its fields, including doctoral degrees.
Some of the resources available at the University
are uniquely Icelandic. These include the medieval
manuscripts preserved at the Árni Magnússon
Institute for Icelandic studies, the Icelandic census
records dating from 1703, the exceptionally
complete genealogical data and extensive
climatological, glaciological, seismic and
geothermal records.
The academic staff at the University of Iceland
maintain excellent international relations and many
of them are leaders in their respective fields within
the international scientific community. Furthermore,
the University of Iceland has made numerous
agreements with outstanding international
universities and research organisations on
student and faculty exchanges as well as research
cooperation.
All of the University’s students have the option of
taking part of their studies at universities overseas.
A large number of international students are
enrolled at the University of Iceland, and their
number is growing. The University employs many
international academics and scholars, and brings
in lecturers from abroad almost on a daily basis.
Hence, the University is a vibrant and multi-
dimensional community.
Introduction
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International Office
The International Office oversees and manages the
international affairs of the University. The office
provides information and assistance to incoming
international students and academic staff. Please
do not hesitate to contact us or visit the office in
for examinations in a subject at different levels.
University of Iceland uses ECTS credits where 60 ECTS credits amount to one year of full-time study. Students with citizenship outside the EU/EEA that
plan on staying in Iceland for more than 3 months,
must be registered for full-time studies (30 ECTS
credits per semester).
Grading system
Grades are awarded on a scale of 0-10 in steps of
0.5.
9.0 to 10.0 First class with distinction
7.25 to 8.99 First class
6.0 to 7.24 Second class
5.0 to 5.99 Third class
<5 Fail
english.hi.is/university/credit_system_and_grades
Students access their grades in the Ugla intranet,
under "My courses".
Language of instruction
In general, the language of instruction at the UI
is Icelandic. Several faculties offer some courses
taught in English, as well as full programmes at
graduate level taught entirely in English.
Please note that proof of English proficiency requirements may apply to applicants whose
native language is not English. Further
information on programmes and courses is
available in the course catalogue.
Icelandic language and culture courses
Two programmes are offered in Icelandic as a
second language at the Faculty of Icelandic and
Comparative Cultural Studies. The BA programme
in Icelandic as a second language and The Practical
Diploma in Icelandic as a second language. The
application deadline for the academic year is
February 1st.
• BA programme in Icelandic as a second language. Access to this route is through a qualifying examination held at the beginning of the Autumn semester. Skills tested are similar to those in the open course Icelandic Online 1 and 2, icelandiconline.is
School of Engineering and Natural SciencesVR II, Hjarðarhagi 2-6, 107 Reykjavík and Askja, Sturlugata 3, 101 Reykjaví[email protected]
See the websites of individual Schools at english.hi.is for more information and office hours.
Staff directory: www.hi.is/faculty
Service Desk in University CentreUniversity Centre (2nd floor), Sæmundargata 4, 101 ReykjavíkTel: +354 525 5800 - Fax: +354 525 5802 - [email protected] opening hours: Mon–Fri 8:30–17Summer opening hours: Mon–Fri: 8:30–16:30
International Office of the University of IcelandUniversity Centre (3rd floor), Sæmundargata 4, 101 ReykjavíkTel: +354 525 4311 - [email protected] hours: Mon–Fri 10–12 and 12:30–15
Admission OfficeUniversity Centre (3rd floor), Sæmundargata 4, 101 ReykjavíkTel: +354 525 5254 - [email protected] hours: Mon–Fri 9–12 and 12:30–15
National and University Library of IcelandArngrímsgata 3, 107 ReykjavíkTel: +354 525 5600 - Fax: +354 525 5615 – [email protected] – www.landsbokasafn.is Winter opening hours: Mon–Thurs 8:15 – 22, Fri 8:15–19, Sat 10–17, Sun 11–17Summer opening hours: Mon–Thurs 9–17, Fri 9–17, Sat 10–14, Sun closed
Computing Service of the UniversitySturlugata 8, 107 ReykjavíkThe IT Help desk is located in University Centre, next to the Service Desk.Tel: +354 525 4222 - Fax: +354 525 8801 - [email protected] - www.rhi.hi.is/en Opening hours: Mon–Fri 8–16
University Student Counselling and Career CentreUniversity Centre (3rd floor), Sæmundargata 4, 101 ReykjavíkTel: +354 525 4315Opening hours: Mon–Fri, 9–12 and 13–16. Walk-in counselling hours: Mon–Thurs 13–16 and Fri 10–12. Students can also book an appointment via phone.
Important contacts
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Icelandic Student Services University Centre (3rd floor), Sæmundargata 4, 101 Reykjavík Tel: +354 570 0700 - [email protected] - www.fs.is Opening hours: Mon–Fri 9–16
Primary Health Care of the Capital AreaÞönglabakki 16, 109 Reykjavík and 15 Health Clinics located in the Reykjavik area.Tel: +354 585 1300 - [email protected] - www.heilsugaeslan.is
Læknavaktin, After hours Medical ServicesSmáratorg 1, 201 KópavogurTel: 1770 - www.laeknavaktin.is Opening hours: on a walk-in basis. Mon–Fri 17–23:30, Sat–Sun and holidays 09–23:30. Telephone consultation between 17–08 on weekdays and 24 hours on weekends and holidays. House call requests are available during the same hours.
Heilsuvernd - Health Centre for Uninsured ImmigrantsÁlfheimar 74, Glæsibær, 104 ReykjavíkTel: +354 510 6500 - www.hv.is Opening hours: on a walk-in basis. Mon–Fri 8:30–16
Foreign embassies and consulates accredited to Iceland www.mfa.is/diplomatic-missions/foreign-missions/nr/1808 Foreningen Norden i IslandÓðinsgata 7, 101 ReykjavíkTel: +354 551 0165 - [email protected] - www.norden.is
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Useful websites
ESN Reykjavík – International Student Association www.esnreykjavik.com
Strætó bs. – Public transportation in Reykjavíkwww.bus.is
BSÍ – Bus tours in Icelandwww.bsi.is
Reykjavík – Practical information and eventswww.visitreykjavik.is
Icelandic Tourist Boardwww.icetourist.is
Iceland Reviewwww.icelandreview.com
Weather forecast for Iceland www.vedur.is
Hallo Norden – practical information for Nordic citizenswww.hallonorden.org
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SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
» Faculty of Education Studies» Faculty of Sport, Leisure Studies and Social Education» Faculty of Teacher Education
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND SCIENCES
» Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering» Faculty of Earth Sciences» Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering» Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical
Engineering and Computer Science» Faculty of Life & Environmental Sciences» Faculty of Physical Sciences
SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
» Faculty of Food Science & Nutrition» Faculty of Medicine» Faculty of Nursing» Faculty of Odontology» Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences» Faculty of Psychology
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES
» Faculty of Foreign Languages, Literature and Linguistics
» Faculty of History and Philosophy» Faculty of Icelandic and Comparative
Cultural Studies
» Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
» Faculty of Business Administration» Faculty of Economics» Faculty of Law» Faculty of Political Science» Faculty of Social & Human Sciences» Faculty of Social Work
Schools and Faculties
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Map of Campus
KRINGLUMÝRARBRAUTBÓLSTAÐARHLÍÐ
BÓLS
TAÐ
ARH
LÍÐ
SKIPHOLT
SKIP
HO
LT
BOLHOLT
LANGAHLÍÐ
STAKKAHLÍÐ
SKA
FTA
HLÍ
Ð
MIK
LABR
AU
T
LAU
GA
VEG
UR
HÁ
TEIG
SVEG
UR
Klettur
Hamar
Skipholt50
Skipholt37
Bolholt6-8
Enni
Íþróttahús
Íþróttahús
Íþróttafræða-setur HÍ
Íþrótta- miðstöð
Stúdenta íbúðir
HVERABRAUT
LAU
GA
RBRAU
T
BJARK
ARBRA
UT
LINDA
RBRA
UTLINDARBRAUT
REYKJABRAUTTORFHOLT
LAUGARVATNSVEGUR
LAUGARVATNKRINGLUMÝRARBRAUTBÓLSTAÐARHLÍÐ
BÓLS
TAÐ
ARH
LÍÐ
SKIPHOLT
SKIP
HO
LT
BOLHOLT
LANGAHLÍÐ
STAKKAHLÍÐ
SKA
FTA
HLÍ
Ð
MIK
LABR
AU
T
LAU
GA
VEG
UR
HÁ
TEIG
SVEG
UR
Klettur
Hamar
Skipholt50
Skipholt37
Bolholt6-8
Enni
Íþróttahús
Íþróttahús
Íþróttafræða-setur HÍ
Íþrótta- miðstöð
Stúdenta íbúðir
HVERABRAUT
LAU
GA
RBRAU
T
BJARK
ARBRA
UT
LINDA
RBRA
UT
LINDARBRAUT
REYKJABRAUTTORFHOLT
LAUGARVATNSVEGUR
LAUGARVATN
A/Að
AR/Á
As/N/Ná
G
H/HB
Miðjan
K
H
ELS
HT
L
NGO
TV V
Stakkahlíð/Skipholt Laugarvatn
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Common abbreviations of the University buildings:A-xxx = Aðalbygging – Main BuildingN-xxx = AskjaÁ-xxx = ÁrnagarðurEIR-xxxx = EirbergG-xxx = GimliHa-xxx = HagiH-x = Háskólabíó – University CinemaHT-xxx = Háskólatorg – University CentreLg-xxx = LæknagarðurL-xxx = LögbergNh-xxx = NeshagiNg-xxx = Nýi GarðurO-xxx = OddiLS-xxx = Skipholt 37E-xxx = Stakkahlíð/EnniH-xxx = Stakkahlíð/HamarK-xxx = Stakkahlíð/KletturStapi-xxx = StapiV01-xxx = VR-1V02-xxx = VR-2V03-xxx = VR-3