Incoming exchange

1. Important information before applying

• Application/nomination deadlines: April 15 for the Fall semester/academic year, Sept 25 for Spring
• As the number of applications significantly exceeds the number of available study places, admission is competitive and based on the overall quality of each student’s application and portfolio.
• Exchange students are admitted as full-time students and are expected to complete 20–30 ECTS within the programme to which they apply. In general, the exchange period is one semester, except for students applying to the Department of Music or the Department of Architecture, who may be eligible for a full academic year.
• Although most BA‑level programmes at IUA are taught in Icelandic, teachers provide explanations and guidance in English, enabling exchange students to complete their coursework. To help students reach a full ECTS load, IUA also offers English‑taught courses such as Arts & Identity and Icelandic Language and Culture. If your chosen programme is listed below, you can complete your exchange studies in English.

2. Study Programmes open for exchange 2026/2027

3. Nomination and application process

Everything starts with a nomination from your home university! Before applying, students must be nominated by their home university, which is always the first point of contact. If your university is not yet an Erasmus+ partner of IUA, please ask your International Office to contact us directly. Nominations are submitted through the UGLA nomination portal, and only registered institutional email addresses can access it.

Please do not attempt to log into the regular IUA application portal before you received an email from us. Exchange applications are processed in a separate portal, which becomes accessible only after your email address has been registered through your home university’s nomination. Around six weeks before the application deadline, we start to send out a Step-by-Step guide to complete your application in the UGLA application portal.

Nominations must include the correct ISCED codes. Further details can be found in the Fact Sheet: LHI_Fact_Sheet_2026-2027

4. Application Material

Requirements differ depending on your department. Please see the lists below:

5. Course selection

To understand the study structure and view available courses, please visit the webpage of the programme you are interested in. Course plans may change from year to year, so always refer to the most up‑to‑date information on the programme’s site. In the Departments of Design, Architecture, and Fine Arts, exchange students typically join the 2nd year of BA studies or the 1st year of MA studies.

Exchange students can begin exploring and selecting courses as soon as they are accepted for exchange studies at IUA. They are encouraged to contact their Departmental Coordinator at that stage to discuss course options, requirements, and availability. The final study plan will then be confirmed together with the departmental coordinator upon arrival, ensuring that all selected courses meet academic requirements and fit the current timetable.

6. Contact

In case there are some questions about course selection or specific content of the courses during the application process, you are welcome to send a message to:

• Fine Arts/Perfoming Arts: Ellen Harpa Kristinsdóttir (ellenhk@lhi.is)
• Design/Architecture: Áskell Harðarson (askellhardarson@lhi.is)
• Music: Gréta Hauksdóttir (gretahauks@lhi.is)

For all other questions regarding the nomination or application process, please contact Incoming Student Coordinator Marieke Jensen (marieke@lhi.is).

7. Information about accommodation and student life in Reykjavík