2026 Icelandic Government Scholarship at University of Iceland

The Icelandic Ministry of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education awards annually 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 scholarship program is administrated by the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies. Approximately 12 scholarships are awarded for the period from September 1 to May 31 each year.

• Table of Content
• About Iceland Government
• Undergraduate Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of Undergraduate Scholarship
• Requirements for Undergraduate Scholarship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

Undergraduate Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of Undergraduate Scholarship

• The scholarship covers registration fees at the University of Iceland and 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.

Requirements for Undergraduate Scholarship Qualification

• The scholarships are intended for students of modern Icelandic who have completed at least one year of university study in humanities.
• In addition, students must demonstrate a basic knowledge of Icelandic to satisfy the entry requirements for BA studies in Icelandic as a Second Language (i.e., a knowledge of Icelandic equivalent to the skills acquired by completing Icelandic Online 1 and Icelandic Online 2, both of which are self-study courses offered free online).
• Preference will, as a rule, be given to candidates under 35 years of age.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Students from the countries above, with exception of students from the US, can apply directly to the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies, Edda, Arngrímsgata 5, 107 Reykjavík, Iceland. Application must be made on a special application form that can be downloaded here:

• Application form (word)

The application should be accompanied by the following documents (in English, Icelandic or other Scandinavian languages):

• 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

Applications must be sent to the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies postmarked no later than December 1. E-mail applications are not accepted. Please note that successful applicants will need to apply separately for admission to the University of Iceland by February 15.

For more information kindly visit Icelandic Ministry of Culture webpage.