Information for exchange and international students

Welcome to the Iceland University of the Arts

The three main values of the Iceland University of the Arts are curiosity, understanding, and courage, all of which you will need as you embark on a new phase of your life in a new country. On this page you will find some information to help you navigate on this journey.

IUA Campuses

Stakkahlíð 1

Department of Architecture

Department of Design (Fashion design and Graphic design)

Department of Arts Education

University Office
International Office

Library

Laugarnesvegur 91

Department of Fine Art

Department of Performing Arts

MA Design and product design

Studios for dance/performing arts

Library

Skipholt 31

Department of Music

Borgartún 1
Film department

Orientation

Orientation is held during the first week of every semester. An online programme is organised by the Student Services and the International Office which includes introductory meeting and introduction to services IUA provides during the study placement. A campus tour for our different campuses and a morning coffee reception. We encourage all new students to take part in these activities which serve as a platform for students to meet each other and a tool towards adapting to a new environment. Further information about the programme and schedule will be sent by email to all new students a few weeks in advance.

Accommodation

Student accommodation is not provided at the IUA. Most students find rooms/apartments with private landlords in the city or through rental services. A Facebook group is set up for students to exchange information about housing. Housing can typically be found on the Igloo rental platform via their website and iPhone and Android app. There are numerous Facebook groups with thousands of members actively seeking or offering housing, such as this ons, this one, and this one. It is crucial to exercise caution when searching for apartments online and to avoid transferring any funds until you have verified the legitimacy of the lease.

Housing benefits

Students may be entitled to housing benefits. Applicants must have a kennitala (Icelandic identification number), have a registered legal address in Iceland, and have a legally registered rental agreement for a minimum of three months. Further information on eligibility and access to the application portal can be found here.

Cost of Living

It is important to keep in mind that Iceland is expensive and you have to consider your budget for living expenses. The published minimum-support criterion of the Welfare Division of Reykjavík City is approximately ISK 245,000 per month for an individual. However, this amount does not necessarily reflect actual living costs, which can vary greatly depending on your lifestyle and spending habits.

Here are rough estimates for an individual living in Reykjavík:

Housing, including utilities: ISK 130,000/month and up

Food and daily expenses: ISK 56,000/month and up

Local public transportation: ISK 6,000/month and up

Leisure activities: ISK 30,000/month and up

Registration and Student Residence Permits

Citizens from EU/EEA/EFTA countries do not need to obtain a student residence permit to study in Iceland. Full-time students staying in Iceland for longer than six months, should register with the Registers Iceland. Through this application (A-271 (EU-nationals / A-257 Nordic nationals) you will receive an Icelandic ID number „kennitala“.

Exchange students staying for less than 6 months, are not required to register their legal address in Iceland. Should you need to obtain an Icelandic ID number (e.g. in terms of employment), you can obtain a System ID number through the Iceland Revenue and Customs (through application form RSK 3.30).

Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA/EFTA area must apply for a residence permit in Iceland if they intend to stay longer than 90 days. This applies also to Erasmus students who do not hold an EU/EEA/EFTA passport. A residence permit in another EU/EEA country is not valid for a study period in Iceland exceeding 90 days.

To ensure that a student residence permit will be granted before the start of the semester, the application and supporting documents must be sent to the Directorate of Immigration before June 1 for the fall semester or November 1 for the spring semester at the latest. Please note that the process of obtaining a student residence permit takes time and effort so we urge you to read the information and instructions on the website of the Directorate of Immigration carefully.

Financial Support

The IUA does not offer scholarships but full-time international students can look into whether they are eligible for support from the Icelandic Student Loan Fund.

Icelandic Student Loan Fund

Health Insurance

Everyone who has been legally resident in Iceland for six months automatically becomes a member of the Icelandic social insurance system, regardless of nationality.

Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA/EFTA are required to obtain private insurance during the time they are waiting to become health insured in the social insurance system. Please note! Students will only become legal residents once their resident permit card has been issued. For information on the exact day you become insured in the social insurance system, please contact international@sjukra.is after you have received your resident permit card.

Citizens from EU/EEA/EFTA countries are advised to apply for entering the social insurance system upon arrival. Further information here.

Health Insurance

Healthcare

EU/EEA citizens must present their European Health Insurance Card when using healthcare services in Iceland.

There are 15 Healthcare Centres in the capital area where you can seek medical assistance. There are also late afternoon walk-in hours during weekdays for those without an appointment.

The medical service provider Læknavaktin operates outside opening hours, on weekends and public holidays. Tel. 1700 and 1770.

Dental services in Iceland are provided at private dental practices. Dental Emergency Care is provided at Tannlæknavaktin.

Please note that dental services are not part of the public health insurance system.

The accident and emergency unit for accidents, acute illness, poisoning and serious injuries is located in Landsspítalinn University Hospital, Fossvogur. Tel. 543 2000.

Emergency Number: 112

Healthcare Centers

Transport in Reykavík & Iceland

Strætó / Public bus

To get around Reykjavík you can use the public transport system Strætó. If you are planning to use the bus on a daily basis you can purchase a student bus card. Students who have obtained a „kennitala“ can purchase a student card here. Their Klapp app offers real-time locations of bus routes, travel itineraries and more.

Electric scooters

One of the more popular ways to get around is by way of electric scooters. At least two companies in Iceland offer electric scooter apps: Hopp and Bolt. Be mindful of the rules and regulations for electric scooters as well as proper parking etiquette. In wintertime, take extra precautions when riding in icy conditions as accidents are quite common.

Bicycles

A healthy and cheap option to get around and explore Reykjavík and its surroundings is by bicycle. You can sometimes get bikes at a great bargain at Sorpa’s Efnismiðlun in Hafnarfjörður. Used bikes are also sold on not one, but two different Facebook groups as well as Facebook Marketplace. If you feel like exploring, fun and interesting bike routes can be found on apps like Strava and Trailforks.

Getting around Iceland

Before setting out to explore Iceland, it’s important to be aware that weather and road conditions can change rapidly—sometimes within hours. This is particularly crucial during the winter months, when conditions can be highly unpredictable.

We strongly advise checking both weather forecasts and road conditions before embarking on any journey, especially into rural or remote areas. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, we highly recommend downloading the SafeTravel app, provided by the Icelandic authorities. The app is updated continuously—24 hours a day, 365 days a year—and offers reliable alerts on road closures, weather warnings, and other essential travel information.

Learning Icelandic

At the Iceland University of the Arts, the main language of instruction at the BA level is Icelandic, while all MA studies are conducted in English (except Arts Education and Vocal/Instrumental Education). Though you will find that you can quite easily get away with speaking English in Iceland, we encourage you to learn our language as a part of your experience of living in Iceland.

Autumn & spring semester university courses in Icelandic culture & language

The IUA offers courses in Icelandic culture and language at the beginning of autumn and spring semesters. The courses are compulsory for exchange students and optional for full-time international students. These are courses in spoken and written Icelandic, focusing on basic social situations, everyday needs and simple social transactions which students experience in their everyday life in Iceland. Students will also gain an understanding of the basic features of the grammar of Icelandic and get a deeper insight in Icelandic culture and society. Please note that the places may be limited so make sure to register in time. Information about schedule and how to register will be sent by email to all international students at the beginning of the semester.

Apps and websites

A variety of resources are available for students who wish to learn and improve their Icelandic language skills:

TVÍK is an app with 80+ lessons that form a single storyline, with new grammar weaved into each conversation. Get the Android or Apple app.
Bara tala is an interactive app designed to learn Icelandic. The app is a virtual Icelandic teacher utilizing AI and Icelandic language technology. Get the Android or Apple app.
Drops is an international language learning app with over 50 languages on offer, including Icelandic. Get the Android or Apple app.
RÚV Orð helps you learn Icelandic by watching TV programs. It is a free service developed by RÚV, or Ríkisútvarpið, Iceland’s national public-service broadcasting organization. You get learn Icelandic and explore Icelandic society through watching entertainment, news and cultural programs in Icelandic. Try it out here.
Chat with an accent are free meet-ups organised by the Reykjavík City Library whose weekly meet-ups are for anyone who wants to practice their Icelandic speaking skills in a friendly and relaxed environment with experienced teachers. Learn Icelandic while going to museums, playing board games or learning to knit with Icelandic lopi. Information on when the next Chat with an accent meet-ups can be found here.
r/learnIcelandic is the official subreddit for learning Icelandic. Get tips from other learners, ask questions and join in on the conversation.

Support, services and contact information

In addition to the orientation days, we offer information, advice, support and guidance throughout the year. This includes a beginners course in Icelandic (autumn and spring semester) and advanced level (spring), field trips to cultural institutions, general information on study progress, information and advice on making mobility abroad (for studying or training), as well as student and career counselling.

Departmental Coordinators

For information on study progress or learning agreements (exchange students), please contact the relevant study department:
Architecture & Design: Áskell Harðarson: askellhardarson@lhi.is
Fine Art: Guðrún Lárusdóttir: gudrunl@lhi.is
Music: Gréta Hauksdóttir: gretahauks@lhi.is
Theatre and Performance: Ellen Harpa Kristinsdóttir: ellenhk@lhi.is

Student Counsellor

Students can make an appointment with Ragnhildur Ólafsdóttir, the student counsellor regarding educational and personal matters. Information on student counsellor services and the appointment booking portal can be found here.