What is free
- No tuition for doctoral programmes; PhD programmes are exempt from the new non-EEA fees.
What you will still pay
| Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Tuition (doctoral programmes) | None; PhD programmes are exempt from the new non-EEA fees |
| Annual registration fee: ISK 100,000 (ISK 75,000 if you start in the spring semester) | You, every year |
| Application handling fee for non-EEA applicants: ISK 20,000 (about €145), non-refundable | You, once, when you apply |
| Living costs | You, unless you hold a grant or a paid position. PhD funding usually comes from research grants attached to an advertised project, or from the University of Iceland's Doctoral Grant Fund |
Who can apply
- PhD applicants with a relevant master's degree and a supervisor at the University of Iceland willing to take them on.
- Bachelor's and master's applicants from outside the EEA/EFTA who start in autumn 2027 or later will pay tuition; the amounts had not been set when we last checked, and may differ by programme.
- Students from the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Switzerland, and non-EEA citizens with permanent residence in Iceland, are exempt from the new fees.
Which nationalities can apply
Every nationality can apply.
How to apply
- Find a supervisor and a research topic; most funded PhD places are tied to a specific project, so watch for advertised positions.
- Check your school's deadline. International applicants to doctoral programmes in Education, Humanities and Social Sciences apply by 1 February; Engineering and Natural Sciences and Health Sciences take applications all year; interdisciplinary programmes follow the deadline of the supervisor's school.
- Apply through the University of Iceland's online application system. In Engineering and Natural Sciences, for example, the application names your administrative and academic supervisors, gives a short statement of your research interests and expectations, and says how your studies will be funded.
- Pay the non-EEA handling fee with the application and the registration fee once admitted.
- Apply for your Icelandic residence permit as soon as you are admitted; processing can take months.
Before you apply: things to know
- Many websites still describe Iceland as tuition-free for everyone. For non-EEA bachelor's and master's students starting from autumn 2027, that is no longer true.
- The University of Iceland says its fee information is subject to change pending final decisions by the Icelandic authorities; check its fees page before you apply.
- Reykjavík is expensive; a PhD without a grant or salary is rarely sustainable.
Common questions
Is a PhD at the University of Iceland free for international students?
There is no tuition for doctoral programmes, whatever your nationality; they are exempt from the fees non-EEA bachelor's and master's students will pay from autumn 2027. PhD students pay the annual registration fee of ISK 100,000, and non-EEA applicants pay a ISK 20,000 handling fee when they apply.
How much will non-EEA bachelor's and master's students pay from 2027?
The amounts have not been set. The university says they may differ by programme and are subject to final decisions by the Icelandic authorities. Students who start in autumn 2026, and students already enrolled, will not pay them.
How are PhD students funded?
Mostly through grants tied to a research project. The university's Doctoral Grant Fund pays monthly for up to three years of full-time study. Under its regulation, calls go out at the beginning of December for the next academic year, applications are generally due on 15 February and awards are made by mid-May. Supervisors can apply without a student and then advertise the place, so many funded PhDs appear as job adverts. Grant holders study full time with no other job, though they may teach or do research for the university for up to 20% of a full-time post, paid separately.
How long does a PhD take?
Normally three to six years, according to the University of Iceland.