Iceland - other programmes

Traces of the old professional degree system (Candidatus degrees of 4-6 years) remain.

The Candidatus degree entails studies of five or six years providing 300-360 credits in cycle 1 and 2, levels 1-3. The full workload in one year should correspond to 60 credits. Admission requirements are the matriculation examination or an equivalent course of study. Higher education institutions can set specific demands as to the combination and focus of the matriculation examination. The Candidatus degree provides access to further study in cycle 3 in the relevant field of study. 

Postgraduate diplomas in upper-secondary teacher education, social work, student counselling, journalism and mass communication are offered after one year of postgraduate study in the field in question (after a bachelor’s degree). The diplomas in social work and upper-secondary teacher education are professional qualifications.