Icelandic Government Scholarships for Foreign Students

Icelandic
Government Scholarships

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 30t
h 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

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
  (word)

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 by 1 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.