NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

Higher education courses in Iceland are examination-oriented, i.e. examinations are taken at the end of each course. Degree
programmes are from three to six years in duration and in most institutions the studies are divided into study credits
(námseiningar), 30 credits constituting one academic year of full-time studies (one credit equals approximately one week (50
hours) of full-time study), 15 credits constituting one semester. In order to be awarded the final qualification, students must
complete a large number of examinations/tests, projects, written papers, and so on. In some cases, especially in humanities
and social sciences where
considerable freedom exists in the selection of courses and the order
in which they are taken, students do not always complete their studies within the prescribed study period. This is partly due to
employment and family responsibilities, partly to study periods abroad and partly because the final project or thesis takes
more time to complete than is prescribed.
II.3.1. Final qualifications in non-university
higher education
The non-university higher education courses are taught at a number of different educational institutions and have a prescribed
duration of between two and four years. These institutions offer practical training programmes geared towards specific
occupations in the subject fields stipulated by the law of each institution. The subject fields and occupations are fine and
applied arts and crafts, drama, music, pre-school teaching, physical education and education for teachers of handicapped
people, the mentally retarded in particular.
The form of instruction, structure of the study programme and examination requirements, also vary from course to course.
The form of the course alternates between lectures, class instruction, groupwork, practical experience and specialised practical
work. Class attendance is compulsory.
Students take examinations in a wide range of disciplines which are relevant to the course and they carry out a large written
main project or special project. All these courses include practical training. At the end of the course students take oral and/or
written examinations.
The forms of examinations and assessment vary from course to course but in all cases the course will be assessed by means of
oral or written tests which can be arranged either internally or externally. Internal tests are assessed by internal examiner(s) or
a combination of internal and external examiners, who are appointed by the educational institution. External examiners are
appointed by the Ministry of Culture and Education on the recommendation of the educational institution.
As a general rule grades are expressed on the 0 to 10 scale (see I.3) or with the assessment pass/fail.
On completion of the course a certificate of completion (prófskírteini) is issued on which the results of the tests taken, and the
assessment therof, is stated. The title to which the course gives entitlement appears on the certificate (see Appendices I and
II).
II.3.2. Final university qualification
The university higher education institutions offer courses which lead to the acquisition of an examination certificate
(prófskírteini) and/or a degree (grádu) or title (titill). Examination results and assessment are stated on the examination
certificate as is the degree/title to which the course gives entitlement. These are awarded when the student successfully
completes the examinations, projects or thesis prescribed by the subject regulations. A thesis or research project is nearly
always a part of the final degree examination, whether it is a first (BA/BS/BEd) or an advanced university degree
(Cand/MA/MS/MEd/MPaed/doctorate). A minimum of 90 credits is required for a first university degree, i.e. the bachelors
degree. (See Appendix I on the number of credits required for the various university qualifications.)