// Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does the Icelandic Film School accept foreign students?
Yes, we’re currently launching a brand-new International Program, a comprehensive two-year course of study in English for foreign students. The program offers the same curriculum as our current Icelandic Program where students are given the opportunity to specialize in one of four departments – Directing and Producing, Technical, Screenwriting and Directing,or Acting.
When and how does one apply for the International Program?
Applications are currently open until November 15, 2010, for the spring 2011 semester, which begins in mid-January. Applicants will be notified by the end of November if they have been accepted. Subsequent classes will be admitted twice a year, once in the fall semester and once in the spring semester.
You can access our application form by clicking on the “Apply now” tab on our website. For additional information on our admissions process, please visit the Admissions section of the website.
How long is the academic year?
The academic year lasts two semesters. The fall semester runs roughly from the end of August until mid-December. The spring semester runs from mid-January until mid-May. New classes are admitted at the beginning of each semester.
Are classes taught in English?
Yes, all classes in the International Program are taught in English, and incoming students are expected to be proficient in English, both written and spoken. Outside of school you’ll find that most Icelanders speak English fluently and that a lot of English is spoken in and around Reykjavík.
Don’t miss the opportunity, however, to learn a few Icelandic words and phrases during your time in Iceland.
How many students are admitted to each class?
Each department – Directing and Producing, Technical, Screenwriting and Directing, and Acting – has the capacity for 12 students in each incoming class. Thus the entire International Program anticipates admitting up to 48 new students each semester.
How much is tuition?
Tuition for the International Program is €7,000 persemester, which is less than most programs offering a comparable education.
For more on our tuition policy, please visit the Tuition page of the website.
What do tuition fees cover?
Tuition covers the basic academic needs of students, including textbooks, use of school equipment and budgets for certain projects. If your project requires additional equipment or a bigger budget than the school provides for, you should expect to bear these costs yourselves.
What about financial aid?
Students from countries in the European Economic Area (the EU countries plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) must have been living and working in Iceland for at least two years before they become eligible to receive student loans from LÍN, the Icelandic Student Loan Fund.
In all other cases, students should arrange for study grant sor scholarships in their countries of origin.
Does the Icelandic Film School offer housing?
The school does not currently offer student housing. We will, however, do our best to assist you in finding local accommodations. You can begin your search by checking out the following websites that specialize in inexpensive accommodations for students:
BN (Byggingafélag námsmanna): http://www.bn.is
Studentagardar or Félagsstofnun: www.studentagardar.is
Norden: http://www.norden.org/is/northurloend-fyrir-thig/studera-i-norden/nam-i-noregi/studentbolig
There are also inexpensive apartments for students at the old US military base in Reykanesbær, near the international airport in Keflavík, although these apartments are some distance away from the school: http://www.student.is/shi/namsmannaibudir_i_reykjanesbae
You may also wish to have an Icelandic friend help you navigate the rental listings on the news websites mbl.is or visir.is.
And last but not least, keep your eye out for ads on bulletins boards at tourist agencies, the university, museums, or cafés and bars.
How much can one expect to pay for housing?
A room for rent, usually with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities, should cost anywhere from 25,000 ISK – 80,000 ISK per month, depending on size and location. To rent a modest apartment in the Reykjavík area should cost between 75,000 ISK and 130,000 ISK. Expect to pay a bit more to live in the center of Reykjavík than in outlying areas.
How much does it cost to live in Reykjavík?
The recent Global Financial Crisis and the resulting collapse of the Icelandic krona has had the effect of making Iceland much more affordable for foreigners. There’s no better time than the present to travel or study in Iceland.
To help you get a sense of how much it costs to live in Iceland, here are average prices for a few everyday items:
A beer in a bar - 500-800 ISK
A coffee in a café - 200-400 ISK
A ride on the bus - 280 ISK
A trip to the swimming pool - 360 ISK
A bowl of soup in a restaurant - 800 ISK
A main course in a modest restaurant - 1,000-1,500 ISK
Does the Icelandic Film School offer a degree program?
The International Program is currently a two-year diploma program, as is the Icelandic Program. The school is currently in the process of moving toward university accreditation, however, and thus our courses operate at a university level. Once the accreditation process is complete, the school plans to offer a three-year BA degree, and eventually a graduate program as well.
What is the class schedule of a typical day at theschool?
Students are in class every weekday from 9-12 in the morning and from 1-4 in the afternoon. Additional time is required when shooting and editing exercises and projects, and thus it’s best to have a flexible after-school schedule.
Do students shoot on film or video?
All exercises at the Icelandic Film School are shot on digital video. Working with digital video allows our students the freedom to experiment with the camera and learn the most from each project. We believe that digital cinema is the future and that it is our responsibility to prepare our students for the career choices that lie ahead.
What kinds of equipment does the school have?
For their exercises, students use our fleet of high-end Sony PMW-EX1 and HVR-V1 cameras and Sennheiser and RODE microphones. All of our camera and sound packages are well equipped, and our equipment manager is happy to help you if you need additional grip and lighting equipment that the school doesn’t own. Students have access to a sound stage if they need to build sets, a sound recording and mixing studio, and computers and the latest software for all their postproduction needs.
