NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

The university higher education institutions offer a large number of widely varying degree courses of different types and
levels in a wide range of subjects. Specialisation in a subject begins right at the start of university studies, i.e. university
studies do not include a general studies component. This general studies background knowledge is obtained in upper
secondary schools.
The examinations are administered by the institution itself. 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 successful completion, a course of study may in some cases lead directly to a professional qualification, while in other
cases additional training specific to the profession is required. In order to qualify for a professional qualification in such cases,
additional specialised study programmes are required, sometimes combined with practical training.
BA/BS/BEd próf — Bachelor degrees — BA/BS/BEd
Students who have completed three of four years of study on a degree course at the University of Iceland in the fields of
humanities, theology or social sciences, and who have passed the prescribed examinations and the final thesis or research
project, are awarded the title Baccalaureatus artium, the BA degree. The University College of Education offers a BA degree
in Special Education, a three- or four-year (part time) programme for those who have completed a BEd degree or an
equivalent professional degree. It also offers a BA degree in Art and Crafts, following a BEd degree, leading to a professional
teacher certificate in the upper secondary school.
The BA degree courses are either concentrated on one broad major area of study or two thirds are a major area and one third a
minor area of study. In some disciplines practical training in appropriate institutions is a part of the programme. Examinations
are taken at the end of each semester. The BA thesis is completed at the end of the programme (or research project) and
written (and in some cases oral) subject examinations.
Students who have completed three or four half years’ of study on a degree course in the fields of economics, science,
medicine, agricultural science or technical engineering subjects, and who have passed the prescribed examinations and the
final thesis or research project, are awarded the title Baccalaureatus scientiarum, the BS degree.
The BS degree courses are either concentrated on one broad major area of study or two thirds are a major area and one third a
minor area of study. In some disciplines practical training in appropriate institutions is a part of the programme. Examinations
are taken at the end of each semester. The BS thesis is completed at the end of the programme (or research project) and
written (and in some cases oral) subject examinations.
The BS degree is an academic (in some disciplines also professional) degree awarded by the University of Iceland, the
University College of Akureyri, the Icelandic College of Engineering and Technology, The Cooperative College of Iceland
and the Agricultural College. The disciplines are: at the University of Iceland: sciences (mathematics, computer science,
physics, applied physics, geophysics, chemistry, food science, biochemistry, biology, geology, geography), economics,
medicine (a special research degree), pharmacy, nursing and physical therapy; at the University College of Akureyri: nursing,
fishery studies and management; at the Icelandic College of Engineering and Technology: civil and construction engineering,
industrial economic engineering, management, medical technology and radiology technology; at the Cooperative College of
Iceland: management; at the Agricultural College: agriculture.
Students who have completed three years’ of study on a degree course in teacher education at the University College of
Education and who have passed the prescribed examinations and completed the final thesis or research project, are awarded
the title Baccalaureatus educationis, the BEd degree. The BEd degree is a professional teacher certificate in the compulsory
comprehensive primary and lower secondary school.