International Office
Welcome to the International Office of Reykjavik University (RU). The office manages the exchange programme and international admissions, develops global partnerships, and offers pre-arrival and support services to all international students at RU.
The role of Reykjavík University’s International Office is to encourage and support students and staff who wish to gain international experience in their studies and work, both those going abroad and those coming to Iceland for shorter or longer periods. The International Office also reviews the documentation of international (non-EU) students enrolled in full-degree programs and provides support during the application process.
The office promotes inclusion and support for international students, including managing Reykjavík University’s mentor program. It also serves as an advisory body on funding opportunities for international activities in teaching and learning, while also raising awareness of international opportunities and multiculturalism within the university through events such as Reykjavík University’s International Day and International Staff Week.
The office is responsible for managing agreements with foreign universities and works to ensure quality, diversity, and geographical distribution among RU’s partner institutions for student exchanges.
Furthermore, the office plays a role in connecting individuals interested in international cooperation, through active participation in global networks, partnership conferences, and by hosting guests at Reykjavík University.
In addition, the International Office contributes to strategic international initiatives within the university when needed, particularly in the form of development projects within RU.
Reykjavík University actively participates in the Erasmus+ programme, the European Union’s education programme. The programme supports the learning and professional development of students and staff in Europe and strengthens cooperation between universities across countries. RU’s International Office oversees KA1 projects, which constitute a major part of its activities. Through Erasmus+ students and staff can receive funding for short or long stays at RU’s partner institutions.
The Nordplus programme is an education initiative of the Nordic Council of Ministers. Its objective is to promote cooperation and quality in education across the Nordic and Baltic countries. Reykjavík University participates in several Nordplus subprogrammes: NOREK, NORTEK, NORDLYS, and NORDPLUSLaw. Through this programme, students can apply for grants to attend summer schools or short-term stays at institutions that are members of these networks.
The International Office is located in Sólin, next to the reception. Its staff provides guidance and services for students interested in participating in exchange or internship programmes abroad. Additionally, the office organises the reception of international students at RU, offering advice and support on residence permit applications.
The office also oversees Erasmus grants for staff and student exchanges and manages NORDPLUS collaboration networks, including NOREK, NORDLYS, and NORDTEK.
Whether you're a student planning to study abroad or an international student joining RU, the International Office supports you on your journey.
Our values
Collaboration
Professionalism
Inclusion
Encouragement
Study Abroad Opportunities for RU Students
Exchange programme for RU students
Studying abroad can add value, making you a more employable global graduate. Students who choose to go on exchange at one of our partner universities continue to pay tuition fees to RU during the exchange.
Take the leap and explore the world—you won't look back!
Who can go on an exchange?
Most students at RU can go on an exchange.
Please check with the relevant Department Coordinator and the International Office outgoing@ru.is
There are two ways of finding a host university:
- Go to one of RU's partner universities
- Through our RU networks: Nordplus or NeurotechEU
Partner Universities
Reykjavik University has exchange agreements with around 200 universities in over 30 countries. Most of our partners are in Europe, but we also have several bilateral agreements with universities outside Europe.
Agreements are usually on a departmental level.
Within these agreements, students can take one or two semesters at one of our partner institutions and have their courses at the host university recognized as part of their studies at RU.
Summer School at Stanford University 2025
Students from Reykjavik University have the chance to join Stanford University's 8-week International Honors Program (IHP) from June 21 to August 17, 2025.
A partnership between Stanford University and Reykjavik University was established at the end of 2024, creating a rare opportunity for RU students to study at one of the world’s leading universities. Participation in the IHP Program can enhance future applications for further studies.
The program is open to undergraduate and master’s students from all disciplines who have completed at least one academic year (60 ECTS) at RU by the start of the summer program. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 7.5. Students can choose from a range of courses and must register for at least 8 Stanford units (12 ECTS), which could be transferable to RU. Students have to contact their department prior to their stay in order to transfer their credits.
All nominated RU students will receive a 20% discount on tuition fees. With this discount, tuition costs $9261 for undergraduate students and $10592 for graduate students. Additional costs for room and board, as well as other fees, total $5992.
If students don’t have acceptable health insurance, they must purchase one through the IHP, costing 1.905 USD
Application Process
This is a two-step application process:
Step 1: Students apply through RU. A selection committee reviews their academic records, letters of recommendation, and future plans and conducts an interview.
Step 2: Selected students are nominated to Stanford and complete the Stanford application process.
Applications are submitted online, along with supporting documents (in English).
Applications must be submitted by February 15, 2025. Late submissions will not be considered.
Supporting Documents (in English)
- Personal statement (maximum 600 words)
- Official transcript with ranking (available from the teaching registry)
- Two letters of recommendation (one must be from a faculty member), sent directly to the International Office via email to outgoing@ru.is
Networks
Reykjavik University is a member of several collaborative networks within the Nordplus Network: NOREK, NORDTEK, NORDPLUS LAW AND NORDLYS.
RU is a member of the European University network NeurotechEU. Mobility opportunities are announced regularly and are usually short-term.
Grants for outgoing exchange students
Erasmus+
Erasmus+ is the EU's programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. Reykjavík University has been participating in the programme for many years RU Erasmus Policy Statement.
- Erasmus+ grant amounts and conditions in Iceland.
Nordplus
The Nordplus Higher Education Programme is a mobility and network programme in the higher education sector, on bachelor and master levels, for the Nordic and Baltic countries.
The programme aims to create a collaboration between the institutions that participate in the programme through exchanges, experience, good practice and innovative results. The programme also supports collaboration between higher education institutions and other organizations. Here is the general information on the Nordplus programme.
The Nordplus programme has many thematic networks, and Reykjavík University is a member of the following networks:
These networks offer students at their member universities the chance to pursue study abroad experiences, ranging from semester-long exchanges to shorter stays like summer schools or courses lasting at least 5 days. Announcements for summer schools and express mobility opportunities are regularly posted on RU's social media platforms or Canvas.
Students can apply for Erasmus grants for semester-long mobility, while the Nordplus program offers potential grants for shorter mobility experiences.
To get information on the NORDPLUS grants, please get in touch with the RU International Office at outgoing@ru.is
You will never regret taking the step to go abroad. It's a life-changing experience that opens up endless opportunities.
Benedikt Bjarnason studied abroad as an exchange student in Barcelona, Spain.
To describe my exchange experience, I would need bigger and better words than those that exist, but I will do my best. It was more wonderful than I could ever imagine, greater than anything great, more educational than any school, and more heartbreaking than I expected—because, in the end, I had to come home.
Kristín Guðmundsdóttir Exchanges student in Denmark, IT-Universitetet in København
Information sessions on exchange programmes
The International Office organizes information sessions on exchange programmes at the beginning of each semester. These sessions are announced via email to students and on Canvas.
Studying abroad is a unique experience with numerous benefits, including:
- Enhanced language and cultural skills
- Improved ability to adapt and handle new and challenging situations
- Greater self-awareness
- A global network of connections with people from around the world
Take advantage of this opportunity to expand your horizons and gain invaluable personal and professional growth.
Exchange programme application process - Outgoing students
Application periods:
- For the fall semester and the full academic year, January 15th – February 25th
- For spring semester – August 25th – September 25th
Language requirements
Non-native English speakers applying for mobility in the United States or Canada are required, in most cases, to take the TOEFL test to assess their English language skills.
Incoming Exchanges Students
Reykjavik University welcomes around 250 exchange students to our campus each year. Students join us for one or two semesters, and we offer a wide selection of courses taught in English at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The university has exchange agreements with 200 universities around the world. If Reykjavik University does not have an exchange agreement with your university, you can apply as a Freemover. Please email our incoming team for information on how to apply.
Please note: Those interested in attending RU as an exchange student should contact their home university exchange office first to be nominated.
What can I study?
We offer a selection of courses for exchange students that are taught in English. However, Iceland School of Energy courses are exclusive to students from universities with a specific agreement or Freemover students. Our MBA Programme is mainly open to Freemover students. We are not able to accept students for thesis work unless a special agreement is in place for thesis collaboration.
Workload
A full-time workload is 30 ECTS. Students must take a minimum of 18 ECTS and can take a maximum of 36 ECTS and 30 ECTS for the School of Business.
Course selection
The course catalogue will be ready on March 15th for the Fall semester and November 1st for the Spring. Courses available to exchange students are listed under each department under "Exchange Studies". Only courses listed under “Exchange Studies” are available to exchange students. Students may select courses from other departments, but you must make sure you meet the prerequisites for the courses. Below, you can find a preliminary selection of courses available for each department.
Applying
Exchange Students
Nomination: All prospective exchange students must be nominated by their home University. Once a nomination has been processed and accepted, your home university will send a link to our online application form. Nomination by a home University does not guarantee admittance to Reykjavik University.
Apply
Exchange students:
Your home university must nominate you before you can apply. Once your nomination has been accepted, then you will be sent application instructions.
Free Mover students
Please get in touch with our international team for information about how to apply.
Application deadlines:
Completed application forms must be received before our application deadlines:
April 30th for admission to the autumn term, starting in August of the same year.
October 15th for admission to the spring term, starting in January of the following year.
If you have any special educational or physical needs, please provide a document confirming this. Further information can be found at Student Support.
Practical Information
- For further information, please visit our information site about living in Iceland.
- Visa and student residence permit for none EU residents
- Health insurance
Health insurance Applicants must have valid medical insurance for the first six months in Iceland, after which the applicant will be covered under the Icelandic health national insurance.- The minimum coverage must be ISK 2,000,000
- Health insurance must be purchased from a company that is licensed to operate in Iceland. The name of your insurance company needs to be 100% correct on the list. If you are unsure, you can send an email to the Financial Supervisory Authority in Iceland at fme@fme.is
- Health Insurance policies can be purchased from Icelandic insurance companies starting from around 12,000 ISK for six months. They may be considerably cheaper than buying insurance in your home country.
- Icelandic health insurance companies: www.sjova.is, www.tm.is, www.vordur.is, www.vis.is
- Housing
- Cost of living
Academic Information
Any questions?
Contact our International Office team: incoming@ru.is
Partner Universities
The following database can be used to search for exchange partner agreements with Reykjavik University
Doctoral Students and Erasmus+
Doctoral mobility
PhD students at RU can apply for the following Erasmus+ mobilities as students:
- Exchange studies: PhD students can go on traditional exchange studies for one semester or a whole academic year at a partner school. Please note that RU does not have partnerships at the doctoral level with all partners. For further information, please see the list of partners here above.
- Traineeship: PhD can apply for an Erasmus+ grant for a traineeship within the EU.
- Express mobilities: PhD students can apply for an Erasmus+ grant for short stays (5-30 days) with a partner university. Please note that to apply for an express mobility/short course, you must have a doctoral contract with the partner university.
Please see the Table below for further explanation.
Important:
- Suppose PhD students do not receive any ECTS for course/mobility. In that case, the International Office must receive a confirmation from your supervisor explaining why you should get an Erasmus+ grant for the trip and how it will benefit your research.
PhD students at RU can apply for the following mobilities as staff:
- Staff training mobility: If employed at RU. Short-term possible, from 2 days up to 2 months (length of stay depends on available funding). Long-term is not possible.
- Staff teaching mobility: Eligible if employed at RU. Can go on teaching mobility/provide training at the partner institution. Short term only possible 2 days – 2 months (length of stay depends on available funding). Long-term is not possible.
Please see the Table below for further explanation.
Important: Erasmus+ does not cover conference participation (neither travel nor conference fees)
Please see the application process below and the documents needed for the E+ grant.
NeurotechEU
RU is part of the European University Alliance, NeurotechEU (NTEU), which focuses on neurotechnology —an emerging field of research that combines medicine, artificial intelligence, and technology in a way that has never been done before. As a European network of eight leading universities, we aim to educate the next generation of top scientists and healthcare professionals, thereby improving the quality of life for everyone.
One key objective of NTEU is enhancing mobility.
If you are a student at one of the NTEU partners and are interested in exploring NeurotechEU opportunities at RU, please contact incoming@ru.is
Erasmus staff training workshops at Reykjavík University
Workshop 19th and 20th June 2025 - Practical Use of Generative AI for Academic Writing, Teaching, and Professional Work
For further information, please contact the Open University: Linda Vilhjálmsdóttir, lindav@ru.is
To request general staff visits to Reykjavík University, please send an e-mail to staffvisits@ru.is.
International Staff Week
The next staff week will be held in 2026.
More information in November 2025. Stay tuned for updates on the confirmed dates—we look forward to welcoming you to Reykjavik!
International Projects
Project Title: The Virtual Innovative Biomedical Education in Science - VIBES
- Project duration: 01/02/2022 – 31/01/2025
- Number of partners: 5 (Beneficiary: Uniwersytet Medyczny w Lublinie Polska, University of Foggia, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Universitetet I Oslo, Haskolinn I Reykjavik)
- Funding: This project is funded under the Erasmus+ Key Action 2: Cooperation among organizations and institutions.
- Project Number: 2021-1-PL01-KA220-HED-000027611
Reykjavik University Team: Professor Olafur E. Sigurjonsson, Kristine Wichuck, Anna Lára Gísladóttir.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The project's key objective is to develop a platform that would, in educationally unstable times, provide students and teaching professionals with tools to maintain high standards of practical training. It aligns with the objectives set by the European Commission in the Education and Training Program. Specifically, the VIBES will contribute to the establishment of innovative European educational and scientific partnerships to design and implement students' training using high-quality standardized materials necessary for creating sustainable educational models embedded with curricula.
The aims of this project are:
- Addressing the common needs and priorities in the field of biomedical education resulting from limited access to laboratory infrastructure/equipment and teacher/peer-based institutional methods
- Enabling transformation and curricular changes by creating an innovative online laboratory practice in biotechnology/ bioscience lab techniques
- Promoting knowledge transfer to a digitally enhanced scientific approach
- Allowing learners to develop skills for professional decision-making and scientific, operational autonomy
- Enhancing the quality of biomedical laboratory science education and practice
- Increasing the capacity of cooperating participants to operate jointly at the transnational level
- Opening biomedical laboratory science to external learners and potential stakeholders