Akureyri, Iceland

• Spend a semester abroad in Akureyri on the northeast coast of Iceland. You’ll be studying in Iceland’s second-largest urban area surrounded by mountains and fjords.
• Enjoy life outside of class with a variety of cultural activities, local field trips, and excursions.
• Experience Icelandic culture through your daily life in and around Akureyri and the rest of the country.
• Take courses to fulfill your core curriculum or major requirements with courses in the humanities, marine sciences, economics, and international relations, taught in English.

Located in the North-Atlantic ocean, the stunning island nation of Iceland is the world’s most peaceful nation, a fact visible in the country’s unique Nordic culture, rugged landscapes, and strong sense of tradition. Akureyri, nicknamed “The Green Town”, is located in northeast Iceland and is the nation’s second-largest urban area. It is surrounded by mountains at the head of Iceland’s longest fjord, Eyjafjörður.

Akureyri is the site of a robust cultural scene, a beautiful waterfront downtown area, and a welcoming community. As an exchange student at the University of Akureyri, you will live and take classes in a variety of subjects at the university while experiencing all that the unique country of Iceland has to offer.

Housing

UNE will work with the University of Akureyri to determine suitable housing options. The exact type and location of housing is based on availability each semester and is typically a shared student apartment or guesthouse with whom the University of Akureyri collaborates.

Orientation

You'll begin your study abroad experience before even leaving home by participating in information sessions and a Pre-Departure Orientation with the Global Education Program staff. The orientation allows you to connect with others in the group, reflect on what you want to get out of the program and learn what others in the group would like to accomplish.

What’s Included

• Tuition
• Housing
• Support from on-site staff at the University of Akureyri
• On-campus extracurricular activities, gym, and workshops
• Cultural activities
• Pre-departure and on-site orientation program
• Travel medical insurance

Semester Dates

Students spend 16-18 weeks in Akureyri. Fall semester students arrive in Iceland in late August and return home in mid-December. Spring semester students arrive in Iceland at the beginning of January and return home in mid-May.

Prerequisites

Students are required to have a 2.5 minimum GPA. No Icelandic language experience is necessary, and all majors are welcome. Students should bring their own laptops.

Costs

Students keep all UNE scholarships and financial aid and are billed the same tuition as for a traditional on-campus semester, plus the standard UNE rate for housing without a meal plan.

Scholarships

Students participating in a UNE semester abroad program will be automatically awarded a $500 Global Education Scholarship. Students may also apply for the Downs Family Travel Scholarship. This scholarship was established by Mrs. Eva M. Downs, whose late husband, Jacques M. Downs, was a much-loved history professor at UNE. The Downs family are champions of global education and UNE’s campus in Morocco. The scholarship was established to provide support for students who might not otherwise be able or inclined to participate in a semester abroad at the UNE Tangier Campus or other UNE semester-abroad programs. 

• Deadline for Fall semester abroad programs: April 1
• Deadline for Spring semester abroad programs: November 1

Other outside scholarships may be available; visit the scholarship opportunities listing or contact the Global Education team for more details.

Ready to apply for a semester in Akureyri, Iceland? Fill out our easy online application or visit us at the Global Education desk on the 2nd floor of the Commons or Decary Hall 126.

Application Deadlines

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