If you’re interested in becoming a doctor in Iceland, the place to study is Reykjavík—specifically, the University of Iceland. The University of Iceland’s Faculty of Medicine is the only faculty of its kind in the country, and the medicine programs are taught in Icelandic. So, let’s look at the medical school in Iceland.
How much does medical school cost in Iceland?
The University of Iceland currently charges an annual registration fee rather than a standard tuition fee. For a full academic year, the registration fee is ISK 100,000. Citizens from outside the EEA/EFTA also pay a one-time ISK 20,000 handling and processing fee when applying. The university notes that applicants from outside the EEA/EFTA and Switzerland who begin studies in 2026 or later may be required to pay tuition fees, but the tuition amount has not yet been decided.
How long will it take to study medicine in Iceland?
The BS in Medicine at the University of Iceland is a three-year, 180 ECTS program. Students who continue toward becoming doctors then complete the three-year, 180 ECTS Candidatus Medicine program, which follows the BS degree. After the Candidatus degree, a foundation year of specialization is completed before applying for specialist training positions, so the route is generally six years of university study plus the foundation year.
Best Medical School in Iceland
1. University of Iceland
Based in the capital city, Reykjavík, the University of Iceland is the country’s oldest and largest university. It was founded in 1911 and is currently organized into five academic schools and 27 faculties. The university has played an important role in Icelandic society and in the development of the Icelandic nation-state. Since its Faculty of Medicine is the only faculty of its kind in Iceland, the University of Iceland is the main medical school option in the country.
The first stage of medical study at the university is a three-year BS degree, which lays the foundation for further study in medicine. Students study the structure and function of the human body, patient communication, physical examination, basic sciences, and medical ethics. The third year concludes with a 10-week research period in which students complete an independent research project. Afterward, students who meet the requirements continue to the three-year Candidatus Medicine program, which is focused mainly on clinical subjects and training. The Candidatus program is taught in Icelandic, with most textbooks in English, and includes a Comprehensive Clinical Science Examination in the third year.
In order to gain admission to the BS in Medicine, you need an Icelandic matriculation examination or equivalent qualification and must pass the entrance examination, which is held in June and is in Icelandic. The program also lists Icelandic language skills at a minimum level of B2.
I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Europe Scholarships Page and Available Courses for International Students.
