NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

Glossary
BA/BS/BEd próf
First university degree. The most common examination for a degree at the higher education institutions requiring three to four
and a half years’ of study.
Doktorspróf
A doctoral degree in the Faculty of Arts, University of Iceland. Length of study two or three years’ after first class MA. The
highest degree awarded by the University.
Fjolbrautaskóli
Upper secondary school, comprehensive school (see Stúdentspróf).
Grunnskóli
Primary and lower secondary school.
Háskóli
University.
Idnskóli
A technical vocational school giving basic vocational education courses and apprentice training.
Kandidatspróf
Academic/professional university degree requiring four to six years’ of study and in some cases additional practical training.
Kennaraháskóli
University College of Education.
Meistarapróf
MA/MS/MPaed/MEd degree awarded in natural sciences, economics, engineering, biomedicine (research degree),
humanities, social sciences and education. Length of study two or three years’ after first class BA/BS/BEd.
Menntaskóli
Upper secondary school, gymnasium (see Stúdentspróf).
A credit unit equivalent to one week of full-time study at an institution of higher education; 30 credit units are equivalent to
one year of study.
A credit unit approximately equals two hours’ study load per week for one semester in upper secondary schools.
Rannsóknastofnun uppeldismála
The Institute of Educational Research.
Stúdentspróf
The most common higher education admission qualification. It is acquired after four years’ of upper secondary education at an
upper secondary school (gymnasium/comprehensive school).
Sveinspróf
The journeyman’s examination which provides the apprentice with qualifications to pursue the trade concerned. It is aquired
after three or four years on the completion of the basic vocational education courses in vocational technical schools
(idnskólar) and in comprehensive schools (fjolbrautaskólar) offering both theoretical and practical education.