University of Iceland

University of Iceland is a public research university in Reykjavík, Iceland, and the country's oldest and largest institution of higher education.

Our story starts in 1911, on the 100th anniversary of Icelandic statesman Jón Sigurðsson's birth. This momentous year witnessed the university's grand arrival, formed by the union of three pre-existing institutions: the Seminary, the School of Medicine, and the School of Law. These pioneering faculties, along with the newly established Faculty of Philosophy, marked the university's humble beginnings.

For its first 29 years, the university resided in the very heart of Icelandic democracy – the Parliament House (Alþingishúsið). Imagine strolling through the corridors where the nation's decisions were made, then stepping into a lively academic hub! In 1940, the university spread its wings and moved to its current location, the grand Main Building (Aðalbygging) at Suðurgata. This marked a new era of expansion and development.

The year 2008 witnessed a significant milestone – the university's merger with the Iceland University of Education. This union further diversified the academic tapestry, strengthening the university's position as the leading center of higher education in Iceland.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2025, University of Iceland is positioned as the #547 top university in the world, which makes it the #1 top university in Iceland.