Icelandic Government Scholarships

Deadline for applications is 1 December 2016

The Icelandic Ministry of Education, Science and Culture awards annually a number of scholarships for studies in Icelandic as a second language at the University of Iceland, Reykjavík. The scholarship program is administrated by the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies. Approximately 15 scholarships are available for the period from September 1st 2017 to April 30th 2018.

The scholarships are intended for students of modern Icelandic. Students must have completed at least one year of University study. Students must also have prior knowledge of Icelandic according to the requirements for BA study in Icelandic as a second language (Icelandic knowledge on the level with the courses Icelandic Online 1 and 2). Preference will, as a rule, be given to a candidate under 35 years of age.

Icelandic as a second language is comprised of both theoretical and practical fields of study. On the one hand it is a language course, where students are trained in speaking, reading and writing modern Icelandic. On the other hand it delves into the more academic aspects of the Icelandic language, literature and history of Iceland. Subjects covered include morphology, syntax and phonetics of modern Icelandic. The students read both old and modern literature and learn about the history of Iceland from settlement to modern times. Additionally, students are introduced to translations. 

Nationals of the following countries are eligible

Austria Bulgaria Canada  China Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Faeroe Islands

Finland France Germany Holland Hungary Italy Japan Latvia Lithuania

Norway Poland Russia Slovakia Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom United States of America

How to apply

Students from these countries, with exception of students from USA and Canada, can apply directly to the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies, Sigurður Nordal Office, Box 1220, 121 Reykjavík, Iceland. Application must be made on a special application form:

Application form (PDF)

Application should include the following documents (in English, Icelandic or other Scandinavian languages):

CV

university transcripts / copies of diplomas with grades.

two letters of recommendation from academic supervisors at your University

language certificate (English and/or Icelandic)

The applications must reach the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies by1 December 2016. Email applications are not accepted. Please notice that applicants need to apply separately to the University of Iceland.

A special committee in Iceland evaluates the applications and its decision will be announced to the candidates by January 2017.

If a scholarship recipient wishes to extend the scholarship for an additional year he/she has to apply to the Institute before 1 December. No one will be granted a scholarship for more than three times.

The Scholarship

The scholarship covers registration fees at the University and a monthly stipend of approximately ISK 130.000 – that should cover room and board for one person, payable at the beginning of each month, September to April. A room will be available for rent in one of the University dormitory, Gamli Garður.

Icelandic as a second language, at the University of Iceland, School of Humanities

It is important that grant recipients arrive timely in Iceland. The autumn term begins in the latter part of August. An introductory session with new students will be held before the beginning of the academic year where the organisation and requirements for the study programme will be presented. 

Information on the current programmes of study and examination procedures is available at the University’s website (the programme may be subject to change).

The first-year in Icelandic as a second language, B.A. programme, is designed for students with some prior knowledge in the language. The candidates must have a working knowledge of English, since English will serve as a second language in teaching.

The admission exam for the BA programme will be held at the latter part of August.

Students with considerable prior knowledge of Icelandic may move directly into the second year by passing examinations held in August.

As a rule, foreign students holding the Icelandic Ministry of Education, Science and Culture scholarship are expected to follow the programme in line with their previous knowledge of Icelandic, whether they intend to complete the BA-degree or not.

Students that begin their studies in autumn are required to pass exams at the end of the term to be able to continue their studies for the spring term of the programme. The scholarship holders have to pass examinations in the end of the fall term to be eligible for the scholarship in the spring.