University of Greenland (Ilisimatusarfik) - Anth/Arky Grad Only
Ilisimatusarfik is Greenland's first university offering graduate programs, and has received international recognition as one of the most innovative universities in the Arctic region.
The University of Greenland, known as Ilisimatusarfik, was originally established as an "Inuit institute" in 1983. It quickly expanded to include graduate study programs and attained university status in 1989. While small by Canadian standards (averaging less than 1000 students annually), it is rapidly developing and adapting to the needs of the local region. The student culture is also very collaborative and engaged, building off Greenlandic Inuit values of community.
The university is located in Greenland's capital, Nuuk, a coastal city tucked along the fjords at the base of Sermitsiaq mountain. The "Rainbow Capital" is known for whale sightings, almost-year-round Northern Lights, and being home to several national museums and cultural centres - providing a great opportunity to learn about the country's history of Norse colonialism and both traditional & modern Inuit lifeways.
Key information
Application information
Student experience
Welcome to Ilisimatusarfik and the city of Nuuk!
Program details
Ilisimatusarfik offers a small selection of English-taught courses, mainly under the umbrella of cultural studies but sometimes other subject areas as well. To view the current semester's courselist, please click here (scroll down to the section called "Courses in English"). Past courses have included topics such as maritime security, Arctic geopolitics & economic development, postcolonial state formation, Nordic culture, Inuit history, microeconomics, North Atlantic flora & fauna, and English from a global perspective.
English-taught course offerings change each semester. As you prepare a tentative list of courses you are interested in, keep in mind that other courses may become available as your exchange semester approaches. It is recommended to plan early for this opportunity; talk with your UCalgary academic advisor to check your degree requirements and confirm that you have flexibility to change your course selection if needed.
Exchange students are expected to take 24-30 ECTS credits per semester. 6 ECTS = 3 units at UCalgary (1 standard semester course).
Note: In Greenland, courses are assessed by a single exam at the end of the semester worth 100% of the grade. This may sound intimidating, but in smaller personalized courses, you will learn study skills over the semester to help you succeed.
The academic year is divided into two semesters:
- Fall semester runs from early September to late January
- Spring semester runs from early February to late June
Note: Exchange students for the fall semester must stay through January in order to write exams, so it is not possible to return in time for the UCalgary winter semester.
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Costs
Exchange students pay their tuition and academic fees to the University of Calgary. Other expenses are paid directly to the service provider. Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations, etc. in your budget planning.
Greenland's currency is the Danish krone. Ilisimatusarfik recommends that exchange students budget DKK 5000 per month (about CAD $1000) for all living expenses.
Compared to Calgary, the cost of living in Nuuk is higher (e.g. food). However, housing/rental fees are lower for students. Cost comparison websites are available online; click here or here to view some of the more popular websites.
Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations, etc. in your budget planning. Please Note: Exchange students in Greenland required a residence permit, which is applied for through the Danish embassy; this may require travel to Vancouver to submit documentation and take biometrics.
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Funding
Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you on exchange? Since you remain a degree-seeking student at UCalgary while on exchange, you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are normally eligible to receive from the university, as well as student loans.
Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund (based on a funding-first model where students apply prior to committing to a global learning program) and the Global Learning Award (students apply after being accepted to a global learnng program; the amount varies year-to-year as the money is split among chosen recipients). Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.
Student accommodations in Nuuk are managed by the Government of Greenland. All exchange students are eligible to apply for housing. Most student accommodations are dormitory-style (private rooms with shared living spaces), and it is common to have both local & international roommates.
It is possible for students to arrange their own accommodations if desired, however the private rental market and processes may be difficult to navigate in English.
While accommodations are not "on campus" in the same way they are at UCalgary, Nuuk is a small city and easy to commute by public transit or even on foot.
This exchange is open to graduate students in the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 (B-) or approval of the department.
An academic reference is required. Please click here to view the reference letter guidelines & submission instructions. It must be submitted at the time of your application to UCalgary.
Applicants will also be required to provide their official undergraduate transcript. This does not have to be submitted to UCalgary Global Learning at the time of your initial application, but you should obtain a copy and be prepared to submit it to Ilisimatusarfik at a later date.
Do I have to speak another language?
No knowledge of other languages is required for this exchange. Ilisimatusarfik has a limited selection of English-taught courses, but it's possible to study a full semester in English as long as you are flexible in your course selection. English is also well-spoken by Greenlanders, especially in the capital city of Nuuk, so it is a minimal barrier to daily life.
Ilisimatusarfik also offers courses in Danish and Greenlandic Inuktitut. Exchange students have the option of taking courses taught in these languages, however you will have to prove your language proficiency.
While studying abroad, exchange students have the opportunity to learn Greenlandic Inuktitut informally through interaction with local students. Ilisimatusarfik doesn't offer any language-learning classes, but they suggest a few online resources for students interested in learning independently - click here for more info.
What's special about Ilisimatusarfik?
A better question might be: what isn't special about it!
- The first university in Greenland, and the only one that offers Masters-level studies
- Small class sizes (and less than 1000 students total) means a personalized learning experience and close conversation with peers & professors
- Exchange students are immersed in local life with opportunities to experience Greenlandic Inuit culture
- The Northern Lights are visible over the university throughout the entire academic year!
Information about permit/visa for study in Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, but is not considered part of the Schengen visa zone and has unique exit/entry requirements. Exchange students will need to apply for a residence permit. Ilisimatusarfik will provide more information to you about this process after you have been officially accepted for exchange.
Other FAQs
- It is possible to live on a vegetarian/vegan diet in Nuuk. However, this can be expensive as food items such as fruits & vegetables are mainly imported. Meat is locally sourced from Inuit providers and is harvested more sustainably compared to in North America, so that may also be a consideration for your diet, depending on your reasons for being vegetarian/vegan.
- For questions related to study accommodations, disability support, etc., please contact the UCalgary Global Learning Advisor. There are resources available at Ilisimatusarfik, however the information online is not published in English, so it is best to have a conversation about your personal situation & needs.
Have questions?
The exchange advisor for this program is: Kathryn Bauer
How to Apply
Download the application guide
This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.
Identify three programs of interest
We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.
Check requirements and deadlines
These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.