Quality of Education: Icelandic universities are known for their high standards of education and rigorous curriculum, particularly in the fields of health and medicine. The education system in Iceland is well-regulated and follows international guidelines, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.
Research Opportunities: Iceland has a unique demographic and genetic homogeneity that makes it an interesting place for medical research, especially in genetics and epidemiology. Students often have opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research projects.
Innovative Healthcare System: Iceland boasts one of the most advanced and efficient healthcare systems in the world. Students can learn from a system that emphasizes universal healthcare coverage, advanced medical technology, and innovative healthcare solutions.
Small Class Sizes: Universities in Iceland tend to have smaller class sizes, which allows for more personalized attention from instructors and a closer-knit student community. This environment is particularly beneficial for complex fields such as medicine and nursing.
English-Taught Programs: Although Icelandic is the primary language, many programs, especially at the postgraduate level, are taught in English, making it accessible for international students.
Safe and Stable Environment: Iceland is known for its safety, stability, and high quality of life. These factors create a conducive environment for study and living, especially for international students.
Natural Laboratory: The unique geography of Iceland provides a natural laboratory for the study of various sciences, including health sciences. Volcanology, geology, and environmental science are just a few areas that complement studies in health and medicine.
Cultural Experience: Living and studying in Iceland allows students to experience its rich cultural heritage, from Norse mythology to modern Nordic society, and its stunning natural landscapes, which can be a refreshing complement to academic life.
University |
Program |
Specializations |
|---|---|---|
|
University of Iceland |
Bachelor of Nursing |
General Nursing, Community Health Nursing |
|
University of Iceland |
Master of Nursing |
Advanced Clinical Practice, Nursing Education, Leadership in Nursing |
|
University of Iceland |
Bachelor of Medicine |
General Medicine |
|
University of Iceland |
Master of Public Health |
Epidemiology, Health Policy, Global Health |
|
University of Iceland |
PhD in Health Sciences |
Health Sciences, Public Health, Biomedical Sciences |
|
Reykjavík University |
Bachelor of Biomedical Science |
Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Microbiology |
|
Reykjavík University |
Master of Biomedical Science |
Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Microbiology |
|
University of Akureyri |
Bachelor of Nursing |
General Nursing |
|
University of Akureyri |
Master of Nursing |
Advanced Clinical Practice, Nursing Administration |
University |
Program |
Specializations |
Language of Instruction |
|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Iceland |
Bachelor of Nursing |
General Nursing, Community Health Nursing |
Icelandic |
|
University of Iceland |
Master of Nursing |
Advanced Clinical Practice, Nursing Education, Leadership in Nursing |
English |
|
University of Iceland |
Bachelor of Medicine |
General Medicine |
Icelandic |
|
University of Iceland |
Master of Public Health |
Epidemiology, Health Policy, Global Health |
English |
|
University of Iceland |
PhD in Health Sciences |
Health Sciences, Public Health, Biomedical Sciences |
English |
|
Reykjavík University |
Bachelor of Biomedical Science |
Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Microbiology |
English |
|
Reykjavík University |
Master of Biomedical Science |
Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Microbiology |
English |
|
University of Akureyri |
Bachelor of Nursing |
General Nursing |
Icelandic |
|
University of Akureyri |
Master of Nursing |
Advanced Clinical Practice, Nursing Administration |
Icelandic |
University |
Program |
Specializations |
Language of Instruction |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Iceland |
Bachelor of Nursing |
General Nursing, Community Health Nursing |
Icelandic |
3 years |
|
University of Iceland |
Bachelor of Medicine |
General Medicine |
Icelandic |
6 years |
|
Reykjavík University |
Bachelor of Biomedical Science |
Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Microbiology |
English |
3 years |
|
University of Akureyri |
Bachelor of Nursing |
General Nursing |
Icelandic |
3 years |
University |
Program |
Specializations |
Language of Instruction |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Iceland |
Master of Nursing |
Advanced Clinical Practice, Nursing Education, Leadership in Nursing |
English |
2 years |
|
University of Iceland |
Master of Public Health |
Epidemiology, Health Policy, Global Health |
English |
2 years |
|
University of Iceland |
Master of Health Sciences |
Health Sciences, Public Health, Biomedical Sciences |
English |
2 years |
|
Reykjavík University |
Master of Biomedical Science |
Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Microbiology |
English |
2 years |
|
University of Akureyri |
Master of Nursing |
Advanced Clinical Practice, Nursing Administration |
Icelandic |
2 years |
University |
Program |
Specializations |
Language of Instruction |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Iceland |
PhD in Health Sciences |
Health Sciences, Public Health, Biomedical Sciences |
English |
3-4 years |
|
University of Iceland |
PhD in Medicine |
Various medical specializations based on research focus |
English |
3-4 years |
|
Reykjavík University |
PhD in Biomedical Science |
Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Microbiology |
English |
3-4 years |
|
University of Akureyri |
PhD in Nursing |
Advanced Clinical Practice, Nursing Administration |
Icelandic/English |
3-4 years |
University |
Program |
Specializations |
Language of Instruction |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Iceland |
Diploma in Nursing |
General Nursing, Community Health Nursing |
Icelandic |
1 year |
|
University of Iceland |
Diploma in Public Health |
Epidemiology, Health Policy |
English |
1 year |
|
Reykjavík University |
Diploma in Biomedical Science |
Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Microbiology |
English |
1 year |
|
University of Akureyri |
Diploma in Nursing |
General Nursing |
Icelandic |
1 year |
University |
Program |
Specializations |
Language of Instruction |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Iceland |
Short Course in Public Health |
Epidemiology, Health Policy |
English |
6 weeks - 6 months |
|
University of Iceland |
Short Course in Nursing |
Community Health Nursing, Elderly Care |
Icelandic |
6 weeks - 6 months |
|
Reykjavík University |
Short Course in Biomedical Science |
Clinical Laboratory Techniques, Medical Microbiology |
English |
6 weeks - 6 months |
|
University of Akureyri |
Short Course in Nursing |
Advanced Clinical Skills, Patient Care |
Icelandic |
6 weeks - 6 months |
University |
Program |
Specializations/Notes |
Language of Instruction |
Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Iceland |
Bachelor of Nursing |
General Nursing, Community Health Nursing |
Icelandic |
Bachelor |
|
University of Iceland |
Bachelor of Medicine |
General Medicine |
Icelandic |
Bachelor |
|
University of Iceland |
Master of Nursing |
Advanced Clinical Practice, Nursing Education, Leadership in Nursing |
English |
Master |
|
University of Iceland |
Master of Public Health |
Epidemiology, Health Policy, Global Health |
English |
Master |
|
University of Iceland |
PhD in Health Sciences |
Health Sciences, Public Health, Biomedical Sciences |
English |
PhD |
|
University of Iceland |
Diploma in Nursing |
General Nursing, Community Health Nursing |
Icelandic |
Diploma |
|
University of Iceland |
Short Course in Public Health |
Epidemiology, Health Policy |
English |
Short-term |
|
University of Iceland |
Short Course in Nursing |
Community Health Nursing, Elderly Care |
Icelandic |
Short-term |
|
Reykjavík University |
Bachelor of Biomedical Science |
Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Microbiology |
English |
Bachelor |
|
Reykjavík University |
Master of Biomedical Science |
Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Microbiology |
English |
Master |
|
Reykjavík University |
PhD in Biomedical Science |
Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Microbiology |
English |
PhD |
|
Reykjavík University |
Short Course in Biomedical Science |
Clinical Laboratory Techniques, Medical Microbiology |
English |
Short-term |
|
University of Akureyri |
Bachelor of Nursing |
General Nursing |
Icelandic |
Bachelor |
|
University of Akureyri |
Master of Nursing |
Advanced Clinical Practice, Nursing Administration |
Icelandic |
Master |
|
University of Akureyri |
PhD in Nursing |
Advanced Clinical Practice, Nursing Administration |
Icelandic/English |
PhD |
|
University of Akureyri |
Diploma in Nursing |
General Nursing |
Icelandic |
Diploma |
|
University of Akureyri |
Short Course in Nursing |
Advanced Clinical Skills, Patient Care |
Icelandic |
Short-term |
University |
Program |
Intake Periods |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Iceland |
Bachelor of Nursing |
August/September |
Annual intake |
|
University of Iceland |
Bachelor of Medicine |
August/September |
Annual intake |
|
University of Iceland |
Master of Nursing |
August/September |
Annual intake |
|
University of Iceland |
Master of Public Health |
August/September |
Annual intake |
|
University of Iceland |
PhD in Health Sciences |
August/September, January |
Flexible intake based on research proposal |
|
University of Iceland |
Diploma in Nursing |
August/September |
Annual intake |
|
University of Iceland |
Short Course in Public Health |
Various throughout the year |
Multiple intakes |
|
University of Iceland |
Short Course in Nursing |
Various throughout the year |
Multiple intakes |
|
Reykjavík University |
Bachelor of Biomedical Science |
August/September |
Annual intake |
|
Reykjavík University |
Master of Biomedical Science |
August/September |
Annual intake |
|
Reykjavík University |
PhD in Biomedical Science |
August/September, January |
Flexible intake based on research proposal |
|
Reykjavík University |
Short Course in Biomedical Science |
Various throughout the year |
Multiple intakes |
|
University of Akureyri |
Bachelor of Nursing |
August/September |
Annual intake |
|
University of Akureyri |
Master of Nursing |
August/September |
Annual intake |
|
University of Akureyri |
PhD in Nursing |
August/September, January |
Flexible intake based on research proposal |
|
University of Akureyri |
Diploma in Nursing |
August/September |
Annual intake |
|
University of Akureyri |
Short Course in Nursing |
Various throughout the year |
Multiple intakes |
University |
Program |
Annual Tuition Fees (USD) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Iceland |
Bachelor of Nursing |
$600 - $1,200 |
Low tuition fees due to state funding |
|
University of Iceland |
Bachelor of Medicine |
$600 - $1,200 |
Low tuition fees due to state funding |
|
University of Iceland |
Master of Nursing |
$600 - $1,200 |
Low tuition fees due to state funding |
|
University of Iceland |
Master of Public Health |
$600 - $1,200 |
Low tuition fees due to state funding |
|
University of Iceland |
PhD in Health Sciences |
$600 - $1,200 |
Low tuition fees due to state funding |
|
University of Iceland |
Diploma in Nursing |
$600 - $1,200 |
Low tuition fees due to state funding |
|
University of Iceland |
Short Course in Public Health |
Varies based on duration and credits |
Typically lower cost for short courses |
|
University of Iceland |
Short Course in Nursing |
Varies based on duration and credits |
Typically lower cost for short courses |
|
Reykjavík University |
Bachelor of Biomedical Science |
$10,000 - $12,000 |
Private university, higher tuition fees |
|
Reykjavík University |
Master of Biomedical Science |
$10,000 - $12,000 |
Private university, higher tuition fees |
|
Reykjavík University |
PhD in Biomedical Science |
$10,000 - $12,000 |
Private university, higher tuition fees |
|
Reykjavík University |
Short Course in Biomedical Science |
Varies based on duration and credits |
Typically lower cost for short courses |
|
University of Akureyri |
Bachelor of Nursing |
$600 - $1,200 |
Low tuition fees due to state funding |
|
University of Akureyri |
Master of Nursing |
$600 - $1,200 |
Low tuition fees due to state funding |
|
University of Akureyri |
PhD in Nursing |
$600 - $1,200 |
Low tuition fees due to state funding |
|
University of Akureyri |
Diploma in Nursing |
$600 - $1,200 |
Low tuition fees due to state funding |
|
University of Akureyri |
Short Course in Nursing |
Varies based on duration and credits |
Typically lower cost for short courses |
Program Level |
Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
|
Bachelor's |
Completion of high school (equivalent to Icelandic matriculation exam) |
|
|
Proficiency in English (TOEFL: 79, IELTS: 6.0) |
|
|
Science subjects background (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) |
|
|
Entrance examination (for some universities) |
|
Master's |
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (Health Science, Medicine, Nursing) |
|
|
Minimum GPA requirement (varies by university) |
|
|
Proficiency in English (TOEFL: 88, IELTS: 6.5) |
|
|
Professional experience (preferred for some programs) |
|
PhD |
Master's degree in a relevant field |
|
|
Research proposal |
|
|
Proficiency in English (TOEFL: 95, IELTS: 7.0) |
|
|
Publications or relevant research experience |
|
Diploma |
Completion of high school or relevant bachelor's degree (depending on the program) |
|
|
Proficiency in English (TOEFL: 79, IELTS: 6.0) |
|
|
Background in relevant science subjects (preferred for health science and medicine) |
|
Short-term |
Varies depending on the course: can range from high school completion to being a current university student or graduate |
|
|
Proficiency in English (may vary by program) |
Scholarship Name |
Description |
Eligibility Criteria |
Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Icelandic Government Scholarships |
Scholarships offered by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture |
Open to students from certain countries; proficiency in Icelandic or specific study fields |
Tuition fee waiver, monthly stipend |
|
Erasmus+ Program |
EU-funded scholarships for study, training, youth, and sport |
Students from EU/EEA countries, enrolled in an Erasmus+ partner institution |
Tuition fees, travel costs, living expenses |
|
Nordplus Higher Education |
Mobility and network scholarships for students in Nordic and Baltic countries |
Students from participating countries, enrolled in a Nordplus partner institution |
Tuition fees, travel costs, living expenses |
|
University of Iceland Scholarship Fund |
Scholarships provided by the University of Iceland |
International and local students, academic excellence |
Tuition fee waiver, monthly stipend |
|
Aurora Exchange Program |
Exchange scholarships within the Aurora Network |
Students from Aurora Network partner institutions |
Tuition fees, travel costs, living expenses |
|
Reykjavik University International Scholarships |
Scholarships for international students at Reykjavik University |
Academic excellence, specific to international students |
Tuition fee waiver, partial living expenses |
|
Reykjavik University Women in STEM Scholarships |
Scholarships to encourage women to pursue STEM fields |
Female students, academic excellence |
Tuition fee waiver, partial living expenses |
|
Nordic Scholarship for International Students |
Scholarships for students from Nordic countries studying in Iceland |
Students from Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden), enrolled in Icelandic institutions |
Tuition fee waiver, monthly stipend |
Career Path |
Description |
Average Salary (USD/year) |
|---|---|---|
|
Medical Doctor |
Diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medication, and perform medical procedures |
$80,000 - $120,000 |
|
Nurse |
Provide patient care, administer medication, and assist doctors in medical procedures |
$50,000 - $70,000 |
|
Pharmacist |
Dispense medications, advise on drug usage, and manage pharmacy operations |
$70,000 - $90,000 |
|
Physical Therapist |
Help patients recover from injuries and improve physical movement and strength |
$55,000 - $75,000 |
|
Public Health Administrator |
Plan and manage public health programs and initiatives |
$60,000 - $80,000 |
|
Medical Researcher |
Conduct research to advance medical knowledge and develop new treatments |
$65,000 - $85,000 |
|
Healthcare Consultant |
Provide expert advice to healthcare organizations to improve efficiency and patient care |
$70,000 - $100,000 |
|
Clinical Laboratory Scientist |
Perform tests and analyze samples to assist in diagnosing diseases |
$50,000 - $70,000 |
|
Dentist |
Diagnose and treat dental issues, perform dental surgeries, and educate patients on oral health |
$90,000 - $120,000 |
|
Occupational Therapist |
Assist patients in recovering and improving their ability to perform daily activities |
$55,000 - $75,000 |
|
Midwife |
Provide prenatal care, assist in childbirth, and offer postnatal support to mothers and newborns |
$60,000 - $80,000 |
|
Healthcare Administrator |
Manage healthcare facilities, oversee budgets, and ensure compliance with regulations |
$70,000 - $90,000 |
|
Psychologist |
Provide mental health services, conduct therapy sessions, and perform psychological assessments |
$60,000 - $85,000 |
