The academic year starts on August 15th and ends on the same day the following year, and is divided into two semesters, an autumn and spring semester.
The autumn semester normally begins at the end of August and the spring semester at the beginning of January. Course starts may vary between different study programmes.
Course schedules are usually available one month before the start of each semester. You can see your course schedule and when courses start in Ugla.
Vacation periods
- Christmas vacation begins on December 20th and ends on January 2nd, both days included
- Easter vacation starts on the Wednesday before Easter and ends on the Tuesday in the week after Easter, both days included
- No classes are scheduled on the “First Day of Summer”, May 1st and December 1st
Autumn semester 2019
|
26-30 August |
Orientation for first-year students and start of teaching |
|
20 September |
Final publication of autumn semester examination schedule |
|
5-15 September |
Confirmation of registration for autumn semester courses |
|
20 September |
Student Union Day, no classes from 11:40 |
|
15 October |
Delivery of graduation papers* |
|
5 November |
Final day for registering in/withdrawing from autumn semester courses/examinations |
|
1 December |
Icelandic Independence Day - no classes |
|
2-16 December |
Autumn semester examination period |
|
20 December |
Christmas vacation begins |
Spring semester 2020
|
3-9 January |
Make-up and resit examination period for autumn semester |
|
10-20 January |
Confirmation of registration for spring semester courses and notification of graduation in June |
|
30 January |
Final publication of spring semester examination schedule |
|
15 February |
Delivery of graduation papers* |
|
15-25 March |
Registration for courses in the school year 2020-2021 |
|
20 March |
Final day for registering for graduation in June 2020 |
|
1 April |
Closing date for applications from students outside the EEA |
|
1 April |
Final day for registering in/withdrawing from autumn semester courses / examinations |
|
8 April-14 April |
Easter holidays |
|
23 April |
First Day of Summer, no classes |
|
26 April-11 May |
Spring semester examination period |
|
26 May-3 June |
Make-up and resit examinations for spring and autumn semesters |
|
5 June |
Closing date for registration of incoming first-year students |
|
12 and 13 June |
Graduation ceremony |
|
10 July |
Closing date for payment of registration fee for all students |
* Students who do not complete their studies in time for the official graduation in June can receive their graduation papers on the 15th of October or the 15th of February. In order for this to occur, a request for graduation must have been received before the 1st day of those specific months, given that all graduation documents are in place.