4 Free and Cheap Universities in Iceland for International Students

In Iceland, there are a handful of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in Iceland without paying a lot, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in Iceland, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 7 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Iceland, make sure to read more!

How do I get admission to affordable universities in Iceland?

Applying to cheap universities in Iceland requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in Iceland for a more comprehensive guide!

What can I study at Best affordable universities in Iceland?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Iceland. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Iceland is the Agricultural University of Iceland, which offers Agricultural Sciences, Equine Science, and Landscape Architecture and Planning to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Agricultural University of Iceland offers Planning , Agricultural Science, and Equine Science.

Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in Iceland for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Iceland ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
University of Iceland 0 ISK 100%
Agricultural University of Iceland 0 ISK 100%
Iceland University of the Arts 682,000 ISK -20%
Reykjavik University 1,576,000 ISK -179%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 564,500 ISK for universities in Iceland.

1. University of Iceland

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.

2. Agricultural University of Iceland

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.

3. Iceland University of the Arts

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.

4. Reykjavik University

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.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in Iceland for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Iceland ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

University Annual Master’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
University of Iceland 0 ISK 100%
Agricultural University of Iceland 0 ISK 100%
Iceland University of the Arts 828,300 ISK - 1,054,500 ISK -52%
Reykjavik University 1,350,000 ISK - 2,358,000 ISK -147%

* Average Master’s International Tuition is 544,600 ISK for universities in iceland.

1. University of Iceland

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.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, University of Iceland should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 0 ISK annually for their master's degree.

2. Agricultural University of Iceland

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Agricultural University of Iceland. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Agricultural University of Iceland is 0 ISK.

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.

3. Iceland University of the Arts

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.

The tuition fee at Iceland University of the Arts for incoming international master’s students is 828,270 ISK to 1,054,454 ISK. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Reykjavik University

Another affordable university to consider in Iceland is Reykjavik University.

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.

The tuition fee in Reykjavik University for master’s program for foreign students starts from 1,350,000 ISK.


It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in Iceland, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in Iceland as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on free and affordable institutions in Iceland for international students was helpful!