International Summer School in Modern Icelandic Language & Culture

Date: July 1–31, 2025

Each year, the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies in cooperation with the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Iceland, organises the International Summer School in Modern Icelandic Language and Culture. Two kinds of programmes are offered: on-campus classes with 80 hours of instruction in language and culture in the building Edda – hús íslenskra fræða, and online classes with 40 hours of instruction in language and culture on Zoom.

Nemendur sitja við hvít borð í hvítri skólastofu. — Branislav Bédi

People sit at tables in a large hall. Above them is a garland of international flags. — University square at the University of Iceland.

Kristinn Ingvarsson

Overview inside exhibition space. On top of white tables are glass cases. Within them are green boxes that frame old manuscripts. The far wall is filled from floor to ceiling with drawn images of landscapes, foliage and a raven in flight. — Christopher Lund

As part of the on-campus programme, three excursions are organised to sites of historical and geological significance, one city sightseeing tour, and other two day trips to West and South of Iceland. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to visit the manuscript exhibition World in Words, the National Museum, the House of Collections, and the Alþingisgarðurinn parliament park.

The online programme, however, does not include any excursions or visits to museums.

Language classes are taught in two groups, organised around the participants’ previous knowledge of Icelandic, which will be determined through an online placement test given before the start of the summer school (see Prerequisites below).

Application form

The application deadline is February 15 each year. All applicants will be contacted by e-mail with further instructions after this date. To apply to the course, please fill out the form.

Apply here

On-Campus School in Icelandic Language and Culture

Beginners A1-A2

Beginners A1-A2 (according to the Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR), from A1 level (basic user/beginner) to A2 level (beginner/intermediate)

This on-campus course entails 80 hours of instruction in language and cultural studies organised into approx. four classes per day. This breaks down as 70 hours of instruction in grammar, language practice, and reading, and 10 hours of lectures about modern Icelandic society, culture, history, literature, and geology. Classes are scheduled five days a week, Monday through Friday, in the morning and early afternoon. Attendance is mandatory.

The language of instruction is primarily Icelandic, but English will serve as a secondary teaching language.

There are approx. 10-19 participants per class in the on-campus programme. All participants have access to the university's computer labs and the general university facilities during the day. The university's wireless network will also be available for them.

Intermediate A2-B1

Intermediate A2-B1 (according to the Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR), from A2 level (beginner/intermediate) to B1 level (advanced)

The language of instruction is primarily Icelandic, but English will serve as a secondary teaching language.

Online School in Icelandic Language and Culture

Beginners A1-A2

Beginners A1-A2 (according to the Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR), from A1 level (basic user/beginner) to A2 level (beginner/intermediate)

This online course entails 40 hours of instruction in language and culture studies organised into approx. four classes per day. This breaks down as 30 hours of instruction in grammar, language practice, and reading, and 10 hours of pre-recorded lectures about modern Icelandic society, culture, history, literature, and geology. Classes are scheduled in the afternoon hours (between 14:00-16:00 o’clock Iceland time), enabling participants from other time zones to take part during the morning (Americas) or afternoon/evening (Europe and Asia). Attendance is mandatory.

The language of instruction is primarily Icelandic, but English will serve as a secondary teaching language.

There are approx. 8 participants per class in the online programme.

Course Material

Participants in the on-campus programme will receive all course materials in electronic form free of charge but may expect to purchase some additional textbooks for further studies or reading, or pay for extra photocopies if needed. It is advisable to bring one own’s laptop to the course.

Participants in the online programme will receive all course materials in electronic form free of charge. All participants need to ensure that their own technology is working well, including a PC/laptop and a reliable internet connection as well as peripherals like headphones, microphone and webcam.

Participants

Although the summer school is primarily intended for university students of language and literature, anyone interested in the language and culture of Iceland is welcome to apply. Applicants must have completed at least one year of university level studies or have plans to enrol to university the same academic year. Additionally, applicants may not be residents of Iceland.

Approximately 35-40 participants are accepted to the on-campus programme and only about 8 participants to the online programme.

Prerequisites

We recommend completing the course Icelandic Online – Survival, which is available free of charge, and is a prerequisite for the placement test.

Online written placement test will determine Icelandic language skills of all participants before the start of the Summer School. The placement test takes about one hour and must be completed within a 10-day period after it opens in late February or early March. All participants will receive information about it via e-mail in due time. Results will preliminarily determine the course level. The placement test is free of charge.

The self-assessment grid, as described in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), provides useful information about the different language levels (A1-C2) and language skills (listening, reading, speaking, writing).

Icelandic Certificate

The Summer School provides a certificate of participation with an official university transcript of records. These will be granted upon a successful completion of the Summer School. Participants will receive official university credits with 10 ECTS for the on-campus programme and 5 ECTS for the online programme. Please refer to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) about university credits. In order to successfully complete the Summer School and receive university credits, participants must score a minimum grade of 5 (on the scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is the lowest and 10 is the highest grade).

Registration and Tuition Fee

On-campus tuition fee is EUR 750
Online tuition fee is EUR 550

The tuition fee for the on-campus programme covers instruction, lectures, some photocopied teaching materials, entrance to selected museums, and excursions.

The tuition fee for the online programme covers instruction, lectures, and online teaching materials.

All payments are taken in Icelandic Krona (ISK) and therefore the conversion rate to EUR or other currencies may vary at the time of payment depending on the currency exchange rate. Please note that tuition fees are non-refundable.

Accommodation

Pay for accommodation with credit card payment here (opens in May):

Accommodation fee EUR 830.

For the in-person programme, basic and varied accommodation, usually with shared facilities (including spacious but shared bedrooms) can be arranged for those who wish. (Availability may be limited and we may not be able to accommodate all participants, but we will try to assist everyone).

The summer school accommodation will be available from July 1 until noon on August 1. Participants arriving early and/or departing later will need to arrange for their own accommodation.

Meal plans are not available, but lodgers in accommodation have access to kitchen facilities. Please note that smoking is strictly prohibited. Participants will receive their address and directions to their accommodation along with the rest of their course information before arriving in Iceland. Keys will be provided upon arrival by either the owner of the accommodation or the institute’s staff; the meeting point is usually at the Central Bus Station – BSÍ in Reykjavík.

Please note that summer school accommodation is for on-campus participants only. It is not possible to accommodate family and friends of participants.

Day Trips and Museums

During the on-campus Summer School, visits to museums in Reykjavík and three trips to different parts of Iceland will be organised. The visits and trips included in the on-campus tuition fee.

Visits to the following museums in Reykjavík will be organised: The National Museum of Iceland, the manuscript exhibition World in Words, the House of Collections, and the Alþingisgarðurinn parliament park. Visits to museums are organised after classes during the week.

Lítið steinhlaðið torfhús. — Þuríðarbúð, Stokkseyri.

Hópur fólks fyrir framan hlaðinn vegg og kirkju. — Strandakirkja, Selvogur.

Hellulagður göngustígur liggur í gegnum garð að gamalli, hvítri kirkju með rauða hurð og gluggakarma. — Borg á Mýrum.

Maður stendur á útsýnispalli og horfir yfir gamla sprungu. — Þingvellir.

Fólk stendur á túni og virðir fyrir sér íslenska hesta. — Reykholt, Borgarfjörður.

Hvítt hús með brúnu þaki, við það stendur hár, mjór turn. Fyrir framan húsið er stór kross. — Reykholt, Borgarfjörður.

Hópur fólks virðir fyrir sér litla laug í stórum steini. Að baki er grár himinn. — Branislav Bédi

Röð af fólki gengur stíg sem liggur hringinn í kringum manngerðan, kúptan hól. Hóllinn er grasi vaxinn og á toppi hans er mjög lítill kofi. — Branislav Bédi

The first trip is a sightseeing trip around the greater area of Reykjavík, visiting for example the outside area of the President of Iceland’s official residence Bessastaðir, then the Grótta area in Seltjarnarnes, and the geo-thermal beach Nauthólsvík, and Þúfa in Reykjavík. This trip is organised in the first week of the on-campus Summer School and takes place after the classes.

The second trip is a full day trip to West Iceland visiting the following areas: Borg á Mýrum in Borgarness, Deildartunguhver, Reykholt, Hraunfossar, driving on the Kaldidalur route (weather permitting) to Þingvellir. This trip is usually organised on the first Saturday of the Summer School.

The third trip is a full day trip to Reykjanes peninsula visiting Bridge Between Two Continents, Gunnuhver, the Valahnúkur cliffs, and the Reykjanes Lighthouse. This trip is usually organised on the second or third Saturday of the Summer School.

Transport from Airport to Reykjavík

Participants can take an airport shuttle from Keflavík International Airport to Reykjavík. There is no schedule, but busses are connected to all arriving flights and depart regularly from the airport to Reykjavík. One of the companies, which goes directly to the Central Bus Station – BSÍ in Reykjavík, is Flybus. For a return journey, there is however regular schedule for busses departing from BSÍ in Reykjavík to Keflavík International Airport.

Additional Information

Participants will receive detailed information about the Summer School including course schedule via e-mail in May/June.

Note that due to unforeseen circumstances the organiser may change and adjust the whole course schedule at short notice.

In case you have any additional queries, please contact the Institute via e-mail: arnastofnun [at] arnastofnun.is.

Testimonials

Read what our students have to say

Esther (Summer School 2017)

“The whole experience was wonderful, great teachers especially Úlfar Bragason and Ingibjörg Þórisdóttir. I met some lovely people and learned a lot.”

Anna (Summer School 2018)

“I had an amazing time at the July 2018 Icelandic course. Four weeks with midnight sun. Full of Icelandic learning, excursions to Icelandic nature and historical sites, and new friends. Þessar björtu minningar lifa ennþá í mér!”

Robert (Summer School 2019)

“The summer Icelandic course at the Árni Magnússon Institute was both enjoyable and challenging. Gísli was a superb teacher, hard-working and knowledgeable. The atmosphere in the classroom was friendly, upbeat and welcoming.”

Anne (Summer School 2020)

“Attended summer school in Reykjavik 2020. Super cosy atmosphere and highly skilled teachers! Also loved the excursions and the various lectures on cultural aspects of Iceland :-)”

Frank (Summer School 2021)

“I learned a lot. About myself, Icelandic culture and language - and Icelandic grammar, which I love (and sometimes hate) ... It was really interesting meeting other people from "all over the world", who share the same passion and interest for Iceland. Max Naylor is the best teacher I have ever had 😉 Summer 2021”

Kent (Summer School 2024)

“Our teacher was great at explaining Icelandic grammar. The field trips made me fall in love with Iceland even more than I was before. And I have a handful of new, life-long friends. Summer school at Háskóli Íslands is one of the best experiences I've ever had.”