Department of Icelandic Language and Literature

If you are considering pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree as a full-time or part-time student, visit the UM admissions page to review admission requirements and deadline dates and to apply.

This admissions category is designed for students who do not meet the requirements for gaining admission to the Faculty of Arts, but who seek to register in particular courses offered by the Faculty of Arts. It is not meant for students who meet the minimum academic criteria and are in pursuit of any of the four Bachelor of Arts degree programs.

To be eligible for admission as a Casual Student, prospective students must be proficient in English and must be 18 years of age or older by the first day of classes for the term in which the relevant course is offered. Students admitted under this category can only register in courses offered by the Faculty of Arts. Prior to registration, students shall obtain written approval from: the course instructor, the Head / Program Director of the Department / Program offering the course, and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts (or designate). Students admitted under the Casual Student category are required to follow all University of Manitoba regulations, including course prerequisite requirements.

If you are considering applying to UM as a casual student, please contact us at um_icelandic@umanitoba.ca to begin the process.

The Icelandic government awards two scholarships on an annual basis to students who are interested in spending one year in Iceland studying Icelandic for Foreigners at the University of Iceland. These scholarships are administered by the Icelandic National League and must be applied for. The admission deadline is usually around April. Watch for the announcement of the application opening on the INL homepage.

The Canadian Institute for Nordic Studies (CINS) annually awards two bursaries to students who are enrolled in an Icelandic (or other Scandinavian languages) course and would like to go to Iceland (or another Scandinavian country) to participate in a summer language course. The application deadline is usually in March.

• Learn more about the Canadian Institute for Nordic Studies awards

The Canada Iceland Foundation grants several scholarships every year. Most of the scholarships are awarded on the basis of application from the individual and those scholarships are advertised on this website, in Lögberg-Heimskringla and elsewhere. The deadline for application is September 30 of the current year.

• Learn more about the Canada Iceland Foundation scholarships

The Icelandic National League has numerous scholarships available for students of Icelandic background. In some cases, scholarships may be specific to membership in an organization, living in a province, or in a certain field of study.

• Learn more about Icelandic National League scholarships

The Gimli Icelandic Canadian Society offers a single scholarship of $500 to graduates of Gimli High School who are registered in a course in the Department of Icelandic Language and Literature.

The annual closing date for scholarship applications will be September 30 of each year.

Eligibility criteria

The recipient must:

1. Be a graduate of the Gimli High School.
2. Use the scholarship toward tuition for a course offered through the Department of Icelandic and Literature at the University of Manitoba.

To apply

Please include the following with your application:

1. Proof of registration in a course in the Department of Icelandic Language & Literature.
2. An accompanying letter detailing your interest in your Icelandic heritage.
3. List of two persons to contact for references.

Letter of application is to be sent to the Scholarship Committee at the following address:
Gimli Icelandic Canadian Society
Box 1979
Gimli, MB R0C 1B0

In the event of two or more students applying for the scholarship in one year the applicant’s contribution to the Icelandic-Canadian cultural community may be used to assess the most worthy recipient (e.g. member of GICS, assisting or participating in GICS events, Icelandic Camp, Snorri or Snorri West Program, working or volunteering at NIHM or Icelandic Festival, publishing in Icelandic Connection magazine, Lögberg-Heimskringla, etc.). More than one scholarship may be granted in a year at the discretion of GICS.

Mr. Peter John Buchan, Acting/Head - 2015-present

Dr. Birna Bjarnadóttir, Chair - 2003-2015

Dr. David Arnason, Acting Head - 2000-2006

Dr. Kirsten Wolf, Chair - 1988-2000

Mr. Haraldur Bessason, Chair - 1956-1987

Dr. Finnbogi Gudmundsson, Chair - 1951-1956