capital-region · Iceland
Háskóli Íslands — University of Iceland
Háskóli Íslands (University of Iceland), founded in 1911, is the oldest and largest university in Iceland with around 14,000 students. The striking main building in the university district in central Reykjavík, designed by architect Guðjón Samúelsson (also the architect of Hallgrímskirkja), was completed in 1940 and is one of the most important examples of Icelandic national romantic architecture. The campus is open to the public.
About Háskóli Íslands — University of Iceland
Háskóli Íslands (University of Iceland), founded in 1911, is the oldest and largest university in Iceland with around 14,000 students. The striking main building in the university district in central Reykjavík, designed by architect Guðjón Samúelsson (also the architect of Hallgrímskirkja), was completed in 1940 and is one of the most important examples of Icelandic national romantic architecture. The campus is open to the public.
History & Background
Founded 1911 with four faculties: theology, medicine, law and philosophy. It was one of the first institutions to teach in Icelandic (rather than Danish) as a political statement of national identity. The current main building was completed 1940, designed by Guðjón Samúelsson. The university grew rapidly after Icelandic independence in 1944 and now has campuses across Reykjavík.
Did You Know?
- ✔Founded 1911 — Iceland's oldest university
- ✔Main building designed by Guðjón Samúelsson (architect of Hallgrímskirkja)
- ✔~14,000 students (4% of Iceland's total population)
- ✔Campus open to public
- ✔Adjacent to Nordic House (Norræna Húsið by Alvar Aalto)
Tours Near Háskóli Íslands — University of Iceland
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Book NowAbout Háskóli Íslands — University of Iceland
Háskóli Íslands was founded in 1911, just 11 years after Reykjavík got its first electricity and three years before Iceland got its first telegraph connection. The decision to establish a university at this early stage of national development reflects the extraordinary value Icelanders have always placed on learning and literature — a tradition dating back to the saga writers of the 13th century. The university now has eight faculties covering arts, sciences, engineering, medicine, social sciences, law, business and education. It has produced the vast majority of Iceland's academic and intellectual leadership. The main building on Suðurgata is open to the public and worth visiting for its architecture alone. The central hall features portraits of Icelandic scholars and the dramatic staircase is one of the finest interior spaces in Reykjavík. The campus also contains the Nordic House next door and several other significant cultural institutions.
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Book NowHistory & Background
Founded 1911 with four faculties: theology, medicine, law and philosophy. It was one of the first institutions to teach in Icelandic (rather than Danish) as a political statement of national identity. The current main building was completed 1940, designed by Guðjón Samúelsson. The university grew rapidly after Icelandic independence in 1944 and now has campuses across Reykjavík.
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Book NowStory & Folklore
Háskóli Íslands (University of Iceland), founded in 1911, is the oldest and largest university in Iceland with around 14,000 students. The striking main building in the university district in central Reykjavík, designed by architect Guðjón Samúelsson (also the architect of Hallgrímskirkja), was completed in 1940 and is one of the most important examples of Icelandic national romantic architecture. The campus is open to the public.
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Book NowVisitor Information
Best Time
Weekdays during academic year
Duration
30 minutes
Access
Suðurgata 1, central Reykjavík
Why Visit
Háskóli Íslands (University of Iceland), founded in 1911, is the oldest and largest university in Iceland with around 14,000 students.
Did You Know?
Iceland has one of the highest rates of university enrolment per capita in the world — about 40% of adults have a university degree. The country also publishes more books per capita than any other nation.
A Nation Educating Itself
When Iceland founded its university in 1911, most of the country had no roads and no electricity. But the parliament decided: a university comes first.
Hidden Gems Nearby
The Main Hall Portraits
The central hall of the main building is lined with portraits of Iceland's greatest scholars and intellectuals — a quiet, moving tribute to a small nation's intellectual ambition.
The Campus in Autumn
The university campus in September, with the first frost on the grass and students crowding the café, has a particular Icelandic autumn atmosphere that's completely different from the tourist version of Reykjavík.
Practical Information
Best Time
Weekdays during academic year
Duration
30 minutes
Access
Suðurgata 1, central Reykjavík
Frequently Asked Questions
Can visitors enter the main building?▾
Yes — the main building is open to the public on weekdays. The central hall and staircase are worth seeing.
What's nearby?▾
The Nordic House by Alvar Aalto is right next door, and the Botanical Garden and Laugardalur are a short walk away.