Study and find schools in Greenland

Studying in Greenland

Greenland is the world's largest island and a self-governing part of the Danish Realm, with a very small population: 56,945 people lived there on 1 July 2026, a record high according to Statistics Greenland. More than 65 per cent of them live in the five largest towns, Nuuk, Sisimiut, Ilulissat, Aasiaat and Qaqortoq, all on the coast.

For international students, Greenland is a niche destination. Higher education is concentrated in the capital, Nuuk, and most teaching is in Greenlandic and Danish. What it offers is rare access to Arctic research, Inuit culture and society, and a small academic community where classes often have fewer than 30 students. Most international students come for one exchange semester rather than a full degree.

The education system

Greenland's university is Ilisimatusarfik (University of Greenland), located in Nuuk. It teaches and does research in the humanities, social sciences and health sciences, with a strong Arctic focus. On 1 September 2026 it welcomed 203 new students across its programmes, which gives an idea of its size.

Ilisimatusarfik awards bachelor's degrees, master's degrees (kandidat) and doctorates through its PhD school. Its enrolment figures for 2026 list bachelor's programmes such as:

• Business Economics
• Law, also at master's level
• Cultural and Social History, also at master's level
• Social Science, also at master's level
• Language, Literature and Media, also at master's level
• Teaching, Nursing and Social Work
• Translation and Interpreting, and Theology
• the SILA Bachelor in Biology

The university also offers continuing education and single courses. Ilisimatusarfik uses ECTS credits, and a full semester equals 30 ECTS. Grades follow the Greenland Grading System (GGS).

The academic year has two semesters. The autumn semester runs from early September to the end of January and the spring semester from early February to the end of June. Each semester lasts about 14 weeks, followed by exams; the main exam periods are January and June. Courses have between five and thirty students.

Languages of instruction

All programmes are taught in Danish and Greenlandic. Ilisimatusarfik offers only a few courses in English; depending on the semester, guest students may be able to put together up to 30 ECTS of English-taught courses. The university does not offer Greenlandic language courses for foreigners. To follow courses in Danish or Greenlandic, guest students must be Nordic citizens or prove that they can use the language at academic level.

Admission and recognition

The most common route for international students is a semester as a guest (exchange) student. According to Ilisimatusarfik, guest students must be full-time students who have completed at least two full years at an accredited institution. Graduate students who come through Erasmus+, Nordplus, UArctic or another cooperation agreement have priority. The steps are:

• your home university's international coordinator nominates you
• you complete the online application, with your academic transcript and a TOEFL or IELTS result if you plan to take English-taught courses
• deadlines are 1 May for the autumn semester and 1 October for the spring semester

In the autumn semester of 2026 the university hosted 17 international exchange students, from Finland, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Norway.

It is also possible to apply as a single-course student. The deadlines are 1 June for autumn courses and 1 December for spring courses, and the admission requirements are the same as for full-time students. Credits earned in Greenland are ECTS credits, which makes recognition by a European home university easier; for a full degree, check your own country's recognition procedure before you enrol.

Residence permit for studies

Greenland is not part of the Schengen area, and it has its own residence rules, handled by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI). Citizens of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland need no visa or permit. Everyone else needs a residence permit as a student, including citizens of EU/EEA countries such as Spain. The main points, according to SIRI (checked October 2026):

• you must be admitted to a full-time higher education programme at a publicly accredited institution in Greenland
• you must show enough money to support yourself, in line with the monthly grant set by Greenland's student support agency (USF)
• you must understand Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, English or German at a reasonable level
• the application uses form ST1, which the university also completes; there is no fee, and normal processing time is 3 months
• the permit should be obtained before entering Greenland and is valid for up to 1 year at a time

Students may work up to 15 hours per week from September to May and full-time in June, July and August. A Greenland permit does not give the right to live in the Schengen area.

Costs

There are no tuition fees for guest students at Ilisimatusarfik, but they pay their own travel and living costs. Ilisimatusarfik estimates the cost of living and studying in Nuuk for a single person at about DKK 5,000 per month. Nordic and European students may be eligible for grants from Erasmus+, Nordplus or UArctic's North2North programme through their home university.

Single-course students pay a participation fee of DKK 500 per ECTS credit, which covers tuition and up to three exam attempts but not books, housing or transport.

Where to study

Nuuk is the only place in Greenland with a university. Ilisimatusarfik's Campus Ilimmarfik is served by buses 2, 3 and X3, which stop at "Ilimmarfik / Universitetet". Guest students apply for housing through the Government of Greenland and receive the details with their admission letter.

Practical life

Daily life in Nuuk is that of a small capital: shops, cafés and sports facilities, with travel to other towns mostly by air or sea. Ilisimatusarfik recommends comprehensive health and travel insurance, including cover for missed flights caused by cancelled or delayed connections, which matters in a country where flights depend on the weather. Winters are long and dark, so plan your clothing and arrival dates with care.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in Greenland in English?

Only to a limited extent. Ilisimatusarfik teaches its programmes in Danish and Greenlandic and offers a few English-taught courses, which in some semesters add up to 30 ECTS for guest students.

Do I need a residence permit to study in Greenland?

Yes, unless you are a citizen of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland or Iceland. EU/EEA citizens also need a student residence permit, which is applied for through SIRI and has no fee.

How much does a semester in Greenland cost?

Guest students pay no tuition fees at Ilisimatusarfik. The university estimates living costs in Nuuk at about DKK 5,000 per month for a single person, plus travel.

When are the application deadlines for exchange students?

For guest students at Ilisimatusarfik, the deadline is 1 May for the autumn semester (September start) and 1 October for the spring semester (February start).

Can I work while studying in Greenland?

Yes. A student residence permit includes a limited work permit: up to 15 hours per week from September to May and full-time in June, July and August.