University of Iceland Icelandic Government Scholarship

The Icelandic Ministry of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education awards a number of scholarships for students coming from foreign universities to study the BA programme in Icelandic as a Second Language at the University of Iceland in Reykjavík. The programme is administered by the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies. Approximately twelve scholarships are awarded for the period from September 1 to May 31 each year.

The scholarships are intended for students of modern Icelandic who have completed at least one year of university study in humanities. Applicants must demonstrate basic knowledge of Icelandic to meet entry requirements for the BA studies in Icelandic as a Second Language, equivalent to the skills gained by completing Icelandic Online 1 and Icelandic Online 2. Preference is given to candidates under 35 years of age. Eligible nationalities are listed, with students from the United States applying through a U.S. Fulbright pathway.

A special committee evaluates applications. Successful applicants must apply separately for admission to the University of Iceland, with that admission application due by February 1. If a scholarship recipient wants to extend the scholarship for an additional year, they must reapply to the institute before December 1 for eligibility for the following academic year.

Support is available for a maximum of three academic years. The scholarship covers registration fees at the University of Iceland and provides a monthly stipend intended to cover room and board for one person. Payment is made at the beginning of each month from September to April. Rooms are available for grant recipients to rent in the Gamli Garður student dormitory. Students starting in autumn must pass exams equivalent to 30 ECTS at the end of the semester to qualify for continued studies and eligibility to reapply for the spring semester.

• Applicants must come from foreign universities to study the BA programme in Icelandic as a Second Language at the University of Iceland.
• Applicants must be students of modern Icelandic.
• Applicants must have completed at least one year of university study in humanities.
• Applicants must demonstrate basic knowledge of Icelandic equivalent to the skills acquired by completing Icelandic Online 1 and Icelandic Online 2.
• Preference is given, as a rule, to candidates under 35 years of age.
• Eligible nationalities are: Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, the Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom; and students from the United States apply through U.S.I.A. Fulbright, U.S. Student Programs, Institute of International Education.
• Applicants (for the BA programme) must be proficient in English because English will serve as a second language of instruction at the beginning of studies.
• Students must submit an application using the special application form, and email applications are not accepted.
• To extend the scholarship for an additional year, recipients must reapply to the institute before December 1 for the following academic year.
• Scholarships are available for a maximum of three academic years.
• To qualify for continued studies and be eligible to reapply for a scholarship for the spring semester, students beginning their studies in autumn must pass exams equivalent to 30 ECTS at the end of the semester.

• Registration fees at the University of Iceland.
• A monthly stipend intended to cover room and board for one person.
• Room rental availability in the Gamli Garður student dormitory.
• Stipend payment schedule: paid at the beginning of each month from September to April.

1. Confirm eligibility based on the listed countries of nationality. Students from the United States must apply through U.S.I.A. Fulbright, U.S. Student Programs, Institute of International Education.
2. For applicants from the listed countries other than the United States, apply directly to the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies (Edda, Arngrímsgata 5, 107 Reykjavík, Iceland).
3. Complete the special application form (downloadable application form in Word format).
4. Prepare the required supporting documents in English, Icelandic, or other Scandinavian languages and include them with the application.
5. Send the application by post and ensure it is postmarked no later than December 1.
6. Do not submit the application by email, as email applications are not accepted.
7. After evaluation by the special committee, the decision is announced in January of each year.
8. Successful applicants must apply separately for admission to the University of Iceland by February 1.
9. If extending for an additional year, scholarship recipients must reapply to the institute before December 1.

• CV.
• Certified university transcripts and copies of diplomas with grades.
• Two letters of recommendation from academic supervisors at your university.
• Certification of English proficiency.
• Photocopy of your passport.