This international programme, which is run in collaboration the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies, offers an interdisciplinary approach to Medieval Iceland with training in Medieval Icelandic language and literature, history, textual criticism, palaeography, folklore, religion, and archaeology.

Next application deadline: February 1, 2026

Before applying, please read the entry and application requirements

Is the program for you??

• Have you completed a Bachelor’s degree with a medieval component in literature, history, religion, linguistics, anthropology, archaeology, art history or folklore?

• Are you looking for a one-year master’s programme in Iceland?

• Do you want to learn more about the history of Iceland and Scandinavia in the Viking Age and in the Middle Ages?

• Are you interested in studying the Eddas and the Sagas of Icelanders?

• Do you want to learn to read the Eddas and Sagas of Icelanders in the original language?

• Are you interested in learning to read medieval Icelandic manuscripts?

• Do you want to visit some of the historic sites of the Sagas of Icelanders?

What is the study about?

This three-semester master’s programme is designed specifically for international students. The language of instruction is English. The programme aims to provide thorough training in Old Norse-Icelandic language, literature, and history, as well helping students to develop the skills necessary to work with primary sources such as medieval Norse manuscripts and other artefacts. It will introduce the students to a wide range of theoretical approaches and prepare them for further academic work in the field of medieval Icelandic studies

The Medieval Icelandic Studies programme welcomes qualified students with different academic backgrounds from all over the world. Our current and former students form a diverse and international group of talented people from countries including Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with university degrees with a medieval component in, for instance, Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic, anthropology, archaeology, comparative literature, education, English, English literature, French, history, linguistics, medieval studies, modern languages and literature, philosophy, Scandinavian languages, Scandinavian literature, or Scandinavian studies.

Programme structure

The Medieval Icelandic Studies programme is 90 ECTS credit hours and consists of three semesters. The first two semesters (autumn and spring semesters) are devoted to coursework while the third and final semester is reserved for writing a master’s thesis. Ideally (but not necessarily), the third semester is a summer semester, enabling the completion of the programme in approximately 13 months (August–August) with graduation in October.

The programme consists of:

• Mandatory courses: 40 ECTS

• Elective courses: 20 ECTS

• Master’s thesis: 30 ECTS

30 ECTS credits per semester are considered full-time study, but many of our students add one five-credit course on top, completing 35 ECTS credits in a semester.

Course topics include

• Old Icelandic language at introductory and intermediate levels

• Old Norse-Icelandic literature, the Eddas and Sagas of Icelanders

• The medieval history of Iceland and Scandinavia

• Medieval Icelandic manuscripts

• Viking Age archaeology

• Old Nordic religion and belief

Form of instruction

The language of instruction is English. Prior knowledge of (Old) Icelandic (Old Norse) is not required. The programme consists of three semesters of full-time on-site study in Reykjavík, Iceland. Instruction is carried out through a mixture of lectures, discussions, group learning, and workshops. Excursions in Iceland to some of the sites of the Sagas of Icelanders also form an important part of the programme. Assessment is in the form of term papers and other written assignments, in-class presentations, active class participation, written exams, and oral exams.