Iceland University of the Arts provides higher education in the fine arts, theatre, theatre making, dance, music, design, architecture and art education. Four department faculties offer degree programmes at bachelor’s level, and four departments offer master programmes. The Music Department also offers a diploma programme. It operates in a global environment and measures itself against academies that excel in arts education in neighbouring countries. The Iceland Academy of the Arts places emphasis on enhancing cooperation with other higher education institutions in the country and various other institutions and enterprises. 

The Iceland Academy of the Arts is an active participant in international cooperation. The Academy has made bilateral agreements with about 120 higher education institutions in Europe through the Erasmus programme. Within NordPlus, the Academy cooperates with about 90 art academies in the Nordics and the Baltics. Preparations are being made for cooperation with art academies in Asia, including China, Japan and Thailand. Students can therefore complete a part of their studies in foreign places. In general, the student exchange lasts one semester. A large number of foreign exchange students also studies at the Iceland Academy of the Arts, and numerous foreign guest teachers teach at the Academy for longer or shorter periods of time.