Tuition hikes threaten Icelandic medieval studies programme

Higher tuition fees for students from outside the European Economic Area could put the international Icelandic medieval studies programme at the University of Iceland at risk, Morgunblaðið reports.

Haraldur Bernharðsson, dean of the university’s School of Humanities and a professor of Icelandic medieval studies, told the newspaper he was deeply concerned. He fears the programme could be discontinued if the university loses three-quarters of its students.

About 73% of students come from outside the EEA, most from the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. They would have to pay just under ISK 5 million for the 120-credit postgraduate programme, which is taught in English.

Bernharðsson criticised the lack of information from the government since the plans were announced and said the university had suffered a serious blow to its reputation.