2025 - 2026 SAA Rankings for Best Value Universities In Iceland For International Students

7 Best Value Institutions in Iceland for International Students

Here are the 7 best-value institutions in Iceland for international students. Here, you’ll learn more about their rankings, international student population, and their background.

The University of Iceland, or Haskoli Islands in Icelandic, is the country’s premier public university. It has spent more than a century teaching and molding students, making it the oldest university. Students can grab many opportunities at the University of Iceland besides completing a degree-granting program. They can pursue exchange studies, international training, summer projects, collaborations, research, and more. International students are also welcomed, especially at the graduate level, where more English-taught courses are offered.

Reykjavik University is a private institution established in 1998 with an international faculty to cater to local and international students. Through the study programs offered by the institution, the students take up their undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. courses. It prides itself on having strong bonds with industry as well as society.

Haskolin a Akureyri, known as the University of Akureyri in English, is a top public institution in Iceland. The institution provides degree courses in the humanities, health, business, social, and natural sciences. Since 2019, it has provided diplomas at all levels: diploma, vocational, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate. Aside from its high-quality education, it is famous for offering programs in collaboration with other universities.

The Agricultural University of Iceland is a highly specialized academic institution in Hvanneyri, Iceland, and functions as a research center. All programs offered at LBHI (an acronym for its Icelandic name: Landbunaoarhaskoli Islands) focus on a specific aspect of agriculture, such as forest science, ecology, animals, and more. Besides the degree-granting programs, LBHI welcomes exchange students who want to immerse themselves in the university’s culture and academic practices.

Bifrost University is a private academic institution established not only to educate learners in the region but also to train them to become future leaders in business and society. This university produces some of the best and most progressive entrepreneurs and leaders who help accelerate Iceland’s development, thereby benefitting the surrounding community and country.

Considered among the oldest universities in Europe, Holar University College is a specialized university that offers programs in aquaculture, equine science, and tourism studies. It was formerly a college for agriculture established to educate and support people in rural communities. However, it has since evolved and offers education to various students.

Iceland University of the Arts is a specialized institution in Reykjavik that aims to develop and stimulate innovation in different fields of art. The institution allows its students to specialize and become professionals in arts programs. It gives comprehensive research programs that enable graduates to have higher chances of employment in the job market.