Updated regulations on the fee schedule of the UNAK

At its meeting on 29 January 2026, the University Council of the University of Akureyri decided to amend the university’s fee schedule, increasing the registration fee for the 2026–2027 academic year from ISK 75,000 to ISK 100,000. The decision takes effect immediately.

Amendment approved by the University Council

In November, Alþingi (the Icelandic Parliament) approved an amendment to Article 24 of the Public Higher Education Institutions Act, No. 85/2008. The amendment authorizes public universities to charge registration fees of up to ISK 100,000 per enrolled student. The registration fee is intended to cover the cost of services provided by the university to students outside of teaching and therefore does not constitute tuition in the traditional sense.

Among the materials forming the basis of the University Council’s decision was an analysis conducted by the University Office of the University of Akureyri in connection with calculations of the administrative cost per student. The analysis showed that, in order to fully cover the cost of services provided by the university to students outside of teaching, the fee would need to be just over ISK 170,000. In light of this, the University Council considered it necessary to make use of the amended authorization in the Public Higher Education Institutions Act and raise the fee.

“It is, of course, always difficult to increase fees for students, but the fact is that the services the fee is intended to cover have increased significantly, without corresponding increases in funding to the higher education system,” says Áslaug Ásgeirsdóttir, Rector of the University, adding: “However, it is in the interest of both universities and students to continue working together to advocate for improved funding.”

At the meeting of the University Council, the student representative on the Council, Rakel Rún Sigurðardóttir, submitted the following statement for the record:

The Student Association of the University of Akureyri regrets that the University must resort to raising registration fees due to the government’s decision not to fully fund public universities. Innovation and growth at the University are already significantly constrained by the new university funding model, and there is a risk that higher thresholds in the form of increased student cost-sharing will further hinder the future development of the University of Akureyri.

The majority of the University Council approved the amendment. Rakel Rún Sigurðardóttir voted against the change.

Revised Fee Schedule

Following the changes to the registration fees, the fee schedule of the University of Akureyri is as follows:

• Registration fee upon enrolment: ISK 100,000

• Registration fee – new enrolment in the spring semester: ISK 75,000

A 15% surcharge will be added to the registration fee if payment is made outside the announced payment period.

Students with disabilities receive a 50% discount on the registration fee.

The University’s fee schedule can be accessed here.