Universities in Iceland ^New

Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 7 Universities in Iceland

The Republic of Iceland is nominally divided into 8 regions (Icelandic: svæðum). The majority of higher education institutions meeting the uniRank selection criteria are concentrated in the Capital and Western regions. The following uniRank league tables and sub-rankings take into account all regions that include at least one Icelandic higher education institution meeting the uniRank selection criteria.

Capital Region (3)  
Northeastern Region (1)  
Northwestern Region (1)  
Western Region (2)  

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Overview of Iceland Universities

Iceland's higher education system comprises 7 universities, blending public (57%) and private (43%) institutions. All are non-profit and accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education. Universities offer programs from bachelor's to doctoral levels, with strong emphasis on research, sustainability and interdisciplinary studies. English-taught programs are widely available, attracting international students. Most institutions are concentrated in the Capital Region (Reykjavík), with specialized universities in regional hubs focusing on agriculture, arts and aquaculture.

Top Iceland Universities

1. University of Iceland (Háskóli Íslands) - HI/UI in Reykjavík, Capital Region. Established 1911. Public research university. Comprehensive institution offering humanities, STEM, health sciences and education. Programs: Bachelor's to PhD.
2. Reykjavík University (Háskólinn í Reykjavík) - RU in Reykjavík, Capital Region. Established 1998. Private research university. Comprehensive institution specializing in business, law, engineering and computer science. Programs: Bachelor's to PhD.
3. University of Akureyri (Háskólinn á Akureyri) - HA/UA in Akureyri, Northeastern Region. Established 1987. Public teaching university. Comprehensive institution with health sciences, business and social sciences. Programs: Bachelor's to master's.
4. Iceland University of the Arts (Listaháskóli Íslands) - LHÍ in Reykjavík, Capital Region. Established 1998. Private teaching university. Specialized institution for visual arts, design, music and performing arts. Programs: Bachelor's to master's.
5. Bifröst University (Háskólinn á Bifröst) - Bifröst in Borgarnes, Western Region. Established 1918. Private teaching university. Specialized in business, law and social sciences. Programs: Bachelor's to master's.
6. Agricultural University of Iceland (Landbúnaðarháskóli Íslands) - LBHÍ in Hvanneyri, Western Region. Established 2005. Public research university. Specialized institution for agriculture, environmental sciences and sustainable development. Programs: Bachelor's to PhD.
7. Hólar University College (Háskólinn á Hólum) - Hólar in Sauðárkrókur, Northwestern Region. Established 2007. Public teaching university. Specialized in aquaculture, equine studies and tourism. Programs: Bachelor's to master's.

Analysis of University Types

Iceland has 7 universities total: 4 public (57.1%) and 3 private (42.9%). Public institutions include the University of Iceland and specialized schools for agriculture and regional studies. Private universities focus on business, arts and law. All universities maintain non-profit status, with research concentrated in public institutions.

Global Ranking and Standing

Iceland has 1 university in the global top 1,000 (14.3% of national institutions), though none rank in the world's top 200. The University of Iceland leads globally (#702). This reflects Iceland's specialized higher education system prioritizing niche fields like Arctic studies, sustainable energy and marine biology over mass-scale research.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How many universities are in Iceland?
A: Iceland has 7 accredited universities, with 4 public and 3 private institutions.

Q: What is Iceland's highest-ranked university?
A: The University of Iceland ranks #1 nationally and #702 globally according to uniRank.

Q: Are English-taught programs available?
A: Yes, most universities offer English-language programs, particularly at graduate levels.

Q: What are tuition fees like?
A: Public universities charge nominal registration fees (€400-800/year), while private institutions have higher tuition (€8,000-15,000/year).

Q: Which fields is Iceland known for?
A: Leading specializations include geothermal energy, Arctic research, marine biology, sustainable fisheries and creative arts.

Q: Do universities offer doctoral programs?
A: Doctoral degrees are available at research universities like University of Iceland and Reykjavík University.

Since 2005, UniRank provides original research, valuable information and resources to help you explore and make informed decisions about Icelandic universities and their online presence.

• Oldest Universities in Iceland
  Explore the most traditional and long-established Icelandic post-secondary institutions according to uniRank's original research.
• A-Z Universities in Iceland
  Search for Icelandic higher education institutions listed alphabetically from A to Z.
• Icelandic Universities by Town
  Look for tertiary institutions located in a particular Icelandic town or city.
• Top Public Universities in Iceland
  Discover Icelandic public higher education institutions with potentially lower tuition fees.
• Top Private Universities in Iceland
  Find out about Icelandic private higher education institutions.
• Top Non-Profit Universities in Iceland
  Explore Icelandic not-for-profit higher education institutions that may offer lower tuition fees.
• Top For-Profit Universities in Iceland
  Look for Icelandic for-profit higher education institutions.
• Top Icelandic Universities on Facebook
  See which tertiary institutions in Iceland have the most followers on Facebook, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Icelandic Universities on Twitter
  Discover the Universities in Iceland that are most followed on Twitter, based on uniRank's original research.
• Top Icelandic Universities on Instagram
  Find out which post-secondary institutions in Iceland are the most followed on Instagram, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Icelandic Universities on YouTube
  Explore the Universities in Iceland with the most subscribed channels on YouTube, based on uniRank's original research.