The Iceland Academy of the Arts actively participates in international cooperation. The Academy is a member of two extensive international cooperative ventures, the NordPlus educational programme organised by the Nordic Council of Ministers and the EU programme LLP Erasmus. Both of these programmes include teacher and student exchanges as well as other cooperation. The IAA has made bilateral agreements with about 70 higher education institutions in Europe through Erasmus. Within NordPlus, the Academy participates in several different thematic networks.  For further information about these networks click here.

In addition, the Iceland Academy of the Arts is currently working on bilateral agreements with academies outside Europe.

The IAA’s participation in these international programmes makes it possible for its students to complete part of their study programme abroad. Dozens of foreign exchange students do also study at the Academy every year. The duration of the exchange is generally one semester.

The Academy’s teachers do also benefit from the participation in the Erasmus and the NordPlus programmes as they can apply for grants to hold workshops or lectures at other European art schools. In turn, a large number of foreign guest instructors teach at the Academy for longer or shorter periods each semester.

The Iceland Academy of the Arts is a full member of ELIA, the European League of Institutes of the Arts, which is an organisation of about 320 art academies in 47 European countries. ELIA organises conferences, publications and debates about art education among artists, teachers, administrators and students.

The Academy also takes part in Cumulus, which is an association of approximately 140 design schools around the world; the EAAE, which is an organisation of more than 100 European schools of architecture; and AEC, which is an organisation of almost 250 music academies.

At graduation, all IAA students receive a Diploma Supplement. The Diploma Supplement (DS) follows a model developed by the European Commission, Council of Europe and UNESCO/CEPES. It is a precise description of the academic curriculum and of the competencies acquired by the student during his/her studies at the IAA. The purpose of the supplement is to provide sufficient independent data to improve the international transparency and academic and professional recognition of qualifications (diplomas, degrees, certificates, etc.). As such, the DS improves IAA graduates’ access to education and work elsewhere in Europe.

International coordinator at IAA
Ms. Alma Ragnarsdóttir
Tel. +354 545 2205
Fax. +354 562 3629
Postal address: Skipholt 1, 105 Reykjavík
Office hours: Monday - Friday, 09.00 - 15.00

She handles all matters having to do with international exchanges for students and teachers, both in relation to LLP Erasmus, Nordplus and other similar agreements.

Also, for further practical information regarding studying in Iceland, go to StudyInIceland.is