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Eurydice

EACEA National Policies Platform:Eurydice
The organisation of the academic year
Iceland

Iceland

6.Higher education

6.6The organisation of the academic year

Last update: 26 March 2025
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6.6 The organisation of the academic year 

The organisation of the academic year in Iceland is determined by higher education institutions (see Section 6.1), within the framework of national legislation and institutional regulations. 

In general, the academic year follows a two-semester structure and typically runs from late August or early September to May or June. 

The academic year is usually divided into: 

  • the autumn semester, which begins in late August or early September and ends in December;  

  • the spring semester, which begins in January and ends in May or early June.  

Each semester normally includes: 

  • a teaching period;  

  • an examination period at the end of the semester.  

Some institutions may also offer summer courses or intensive teaching periods outside the standard semester structure. 

The detailed organisation of the academic year, including the exact dates of semesters, examination periods and holidays, is decided by each higher education institution and published in institutional academic calendars. 

The structure of the academic year is aligned with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), where 60 ECTS credits correspond to one full academic year of study. 

 

References 

Bibliography 

  • Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation: Information on the Icelandic higher education system  

  

Legislation and official policy documents 

  • Higher Education Act No. 63/2006