Study in Iceland for Pakistani Students in 2024

Study in Iceland is like a dream for Pakistanis as it is a unique destination in front of the sea and is considered one of the most beautiful countries. It may prove to be one of the comprehensive study programs if someone has low cost then must go for study in Iceland like a study in the Netherlands (North Western European Country).

Most prominent courses are being offered by the country by offering all programs including Ph.D. There are 6 most famous universities in Iceland which are offering 45 bachelor programs and 40 master programs. PhD programs are also being offered in 3 universities of Iceland which is also the best opportunity for international students including Pakistani students.

Iceland doesn’t charge any tuition fee from you if you are studying in a public university, but you have to pay an annual registration fee of around 500€. You enjoy 2 years of permanent residency after when you have done with your graduation study.

Fully funded Iceland scholarships for Pakistani students

There are scholarships provided by different universities and the Iceland government for international students including Pakistanis who are willing to study abroad but have low expenses to meet their financial challenges while studying. Here is the list and details of all those scholarships:

1. Richard A. Freund InternationalScholarship
2. The Leaky Foundation Franklin Mosher Baldwin Memorial Fellowships
3. Leaky Foundation Research Grants
4. Dr. Eduard Gubelin Research Scholarship
5. Service Scape Scholarship

1. Richard A. Freund International Scholarship

Richard A. Freund International Scholarship is available for international students including Pakistanis to get the benefits of studying abroad in the beautiful Iceland country. It is not a fully funded scholarship but it is a partially funded scholarship through which you can meet some of your educational and living expenses while you are there in Iceland for study.

Eligibility criteria

Only those who have done their master's and Ph.D. degrees can attain the benefits of this scholarship. There are some specific fields in which you can be able to get the scholarship such as quality assurance, theory plus application of quality control, quality management, statistics, and behavioral foundations. So before you apply for the scholarship make sure to know all these requirements.

2. The Leaky Foundation Franklin Mosher Baldwin Memorial Fellowships

It is also a partially funded scholarship to make your expenses minimum during your study duration. Scholarship can only be taken from any of the institutes except the home country of the applicant. It is also available for Pakistani students as the scholarship is designed for developing countries specifically.

Eligibility criteria

Masters and PhD level education is compulsory for becoming eligible for the scholarship of The Leaky Foundation Franklin Mosher Baldwin Memorial Fellowships. There are only two courses that are eligible for the scholarship Human Origin and Evolution, so before you apply for the scholarship you must keep in mind the above-mentioned precautions of eligibility for the scholarship.

3. Leaky Foundation Research Grants

Leaky Foundation Research Grants is a fully funded scholarship that is available for all the nations worldwide including developed and developing countries and scholarships are taken from any of the institutions from the world.

Eligibility criteria

Only those who have done with their PhD or Post-doctorate are eligible for the scholarship. Remember one thing only research-related fields are encouraged to apply for the scholarship such as Human Origins.

4. Dr. Eduard Gubelin Research Scholarship

One of the partially funded scholarships for Pakistani students from Iceland country as it is the partially funded scholarship that is open to all nations. Its applications are encouraged from anywhere in the world.

Eligibility criteria

Dr. Eduard Gubelin Research Scholarship is eligible for master’s, Ph.D., and post-doctorate students and it is available for only specific departments such as Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geology, Material Sciences, and Earth Sciences. Make sure the above things are to be remembered while applying for the specific scholarship.

5. Service Scape Scholarship

Its funding type is only tuition fees and encourages all nations worldwide including Pakistani students to apply for the scholarship. Its forms are accepted from worldwide including any of the universities or institutions.

Eligibility criteria

It may be a unique opportunity for every Pakistani as all programs offered in the universities are recommended to apply for the scholarship. All students with master’s and bachelor are encouraged to apply for the job.

Universities in Iceland for International Students

There are many Iceland universities but I will tell you about the most recommended and most prominent universities of Iceland. Here is the list of all 7 universities.

1. University of Iceland
2. Reykjavik University
3. University of Akureyri
4. Agriculture University of Iceland
5. Bifröst University
6. Holar University College
7. Iceland Academy of the Arts

1. University of Iceland

The University of Iceland is the most recommended in Reykjavik, Iceland, and all over the world including Pakistan. Its student satisfaction rating is 4.5/5.0 therefore it is known as the best university in Iceland for international students. Through scientific and academic environment it is the oldest and largest university in Iceland which is leading from other universities. 

2. Reykjavik University

It is the number 1 university in Iceland therefore all international students want to apply to this university because of its best study and enjoyable environment. It mainly focuses on engineering, business, science and law. Students in these fields are highly recommended. Students’s rating for this university is 4.5/5.0

3. University of Akureyri

Student satisfaction for this university is 4.8/5.0 as it offers the best study syllabus and environment. It is the scientific and the academic university for research and teaching purposes which is done in its different schools.

4. Agriculture University of Iceland

This is the university of education and research which is especially in agriculture and farming. People interested in these fields must apply to this university. Student’s rating for this university is 4.4/5.0 so feel free to enjoy its stunning environment and beauty of the university.

5. Bifröst University

This is one of the best universities in Iceland as it offers students satisfaction results such as students gave 4.8/5.0, It is a private, self-governing, and without-profit university as it runs mostly on the income of the Icelandic state.

6. Holar University College

Holar University College offers many master's and undergraduate programs in three different ways. Holar University gains 4.6/5.5 satisfactory results due to its best staff and administration of studies offered there. Many students worldwide apply to this university to get trained by the unique staff present in it.

7. Iceland Academy of the Arts

As its name suggests it is one of the best Arts universities in Iceland which also offers scholarships to many students internationally. Its satisfactory result is 4.7/5.0 given by the students which is unique for those students who are still unable to find the best university in Iceland.

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Admission Requirements for Pakistani Students

You must have to complete the university application form for admission to that university in Iceland. You also need to attest all your documents and previous study certificates by the Higher Education Commission for the proper admission process. HEC will send all the attested certificates to the applied university which will be stamped and verified. Some important requirements are:

• All certificates of previous courses
• CV/resume
• Recommended three letters
• Language proficiency with good scores
• Must need enough funding or must have scholarship requirements
• Must write about your portfolio samples
• Scanned copy of your previous education as a high school or bachelor
• Scanned copy of your birth certificate or your visa

Some of the specific subjects such as Science, Engineering, and Law may additionally need extra requirements in the form of entry tests. You can view all the requirements on the company’s official website. Students must have to apply for a student permit at the Directorate of Immigration.

You have to apply for a student Iceland visa to become eligible for it. According to academic institutions of Iceland, you must have at least 5 scores to become eligible for the admission process in any of the Iceland Universities.

Visa Requirements for Pakistani Students

You must submit your documents in English or the Nordic language except in these languages you have to do a translation of your documents. You need to have a residence permit in Iceland which makes you able to work for up to 15 hours a week in Reykjavik.

It is very easy to find a job there without knowing the Icelandic language but it may be a little bit tricky for you. The residence permit will allow you to also enjoy Europe as an Icelandic visa is a Schengen visa through which you can visit 27 different countries of Europe except Ireland.

Some of the recommended documents and other requirements for an Icelandic visa are given below:

• Must have financial independence through bank statements
• Must have two passport-sized photos
• Must have your passport
• A copy of the clean criminal record
• Completed application form which you can find here
• Evidence of fee payment which costs 50 $
• Must have health insurance minimum of 16000 $

Note: You can live there in Iceland for about 90 days for free without any visa but to work, visit, or study more you will need an Icelandic visa which becomes very compulsory if you have decided to live there for about 2 or 4 years.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Iceland is about 600 to 800 EUR/month but it may increase up to 900 to 1000 EUR/month depending upon the house, or city you are living in. Sometimes food and groceries may also cost you more so it depends upon you how costly you are to live there in Iceland.

Part-time working hours and Income

If you are an international student then you can work there for about 20 hours a week in the academic year of Iceland. In case you are there in the summer months such as June, July, and August then you can work there up to 40 hours a week. Part-time working hours depend on the type of job you are doing in and your employer.

Future opportunities in Iceland

Working in Iceland for foreigners is extensive now. Iceland's job market includes nursing, teaching English, tech, construction and so many working opportunities for international students. It will be a great opportunity for you to work there in Iceland after the completion of your study.