For all enquiries please contact the Exchange Office at exchange@otago.ac.nz.
Last updated April, 2023
Academic information
Language of instruction
The six faculties of Humanities, Theology, Law, Economics and Business Administration, Science and Social Sciences offer courses in English. The University allows students to take their exams in English in the first semester of study.
Course information
Minimum course load: 30 ECTS
Maximum course load: 40 ECTS
Semester dates
- Academic year: September - May
- Fall semester: Early September - December
- Spring semester: January - May
Semester dates at the University of Iceland
Accommodation and the cost of living
Accommodation
The rent for a month can vary depending on the form of housing, but general rent is from about: 18,000-25,000 ISK per month. The Office of International Education (OIE) assists foreign exchange students in finding housing. Students who would like to make use of this service need to fill out an application form and send it to the office. The types of housing that are available are:
- Rooms in student dormitories (very limited number)
- Rooms at guesthouses (with access to kitchen and bathroom)
- Shared apartments/flats with other students
- Rooms with families
Estimated cost of living
Additional information
Additional information, University of Iceland
Student visa and insurance
Information on student visas and insurance for students going on exchange can be found elsewhere on this website.
Exchange experiences
The University, city and region
The University
The University of Iceland is a state university founded in 1911. Today, the University of Iceland serves a nation of approximately 275,300 people and has about 6,000 students, 59% of them female. A modern, diversified and rapidly developing institution, the University of Iceland offers opportunities for study and research in almost 300 programmes spanning most fields of science and scholarship: Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Humanities, Education, Natural Sciences and Engineering.
The city of Reykjavik
Reykjavik is Iceland's capital city, with a population of approximately 107 000 residents. The weather is characterised by cool summers (around 10°C) and mild winters, (hovering around freezing) but it can be unpredictable. In summer the sun is up most of the day, whereas in winter there can be very few hours of daylight. The city prides itself on being placed in a region of extreme natural beauty, but maintaining an active cultural life within the city. Iceland has been appointed one of nine European cities of culture for the year 2000. Theatre, music and the arts are all promoted by the city authorities. An efficient bus service provides a simple means of travel around Reykjavik and to other places nearby. The region is geothermally active and geothermal heat provides most of Iceland's electricity-so heating is never a problem, even in the coldest winters. Iceland is so close to Europe that you can just go there on whim for a quick change of scene and scenery. With regular flights from many European gateways, you can be there in less than three hours for a long weekend or even for a long day trip.
Further information
For further information about Otago Global Student Exchange please email exchange@otago.ac.nz