The University Centre of the Westfjords is a small higher educational organization, which was established in 2005 and began operations in January 2006. The University Centre itself employs an average of six people, plus teachers employed freelance. The University Centre building is home to more than 50 people in research, teaching and services in various organizations and companies. The University Centre is a distance learning centre that serves about 100 distance learning students; it operates two international master’s programs: Coastal and Marine Management as well as Coastal Communities and Regional Development. Each year roughly 20 students are accepted into each master's program. The University Centre also offers a small individualised program of study at the master’s level in Marine Innovation. A variety of summer courses is also offered at the University Centre. Through distance learning, Westfjords residents can access education without having to move away from home. The University Centre provides distance learning students with facilities for teleconferencing, group work facilities and reading rooms. There tend to be about 100 distance learning students per year. Furthermore, the University Centre offers several summer courses in the Westfjords, including tailor-made courses for national and international field schools. The University Centre of the Westfjords is in partnership with various international cooperative ventures, including the University of the Arctic, and has participated in projects with the Nordic Council and the European Union. The University Centre of the Westfjords emphasis high standards and follows the Bologna Process for European university requirements, in collaboration with national and foreign universities. The faculty and staff endeavour to provide an exceptional service to both students and researchers in and outside the Westfjords.