NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

III. Special types and forms of final qualifications in higher
education
Admission to advanced training depends on the professional recognition of academic degrees, for example, by the medical or
engineering professions and by the relevant government authority.
The University College of Education offers a qualifying teacher education course for the secondary school level. This course
is organised as a two-year part-time course of 30 credits following a full qualifying course in the relevant subject. The college
also offers teacher education courses leading to the upper secondary school teacher’s certificate and a professional course for
school administrators. It also arranges numerous in-service training courses for teachers. The University College of Akureyri
offers teacher training courses leading to the primary and lower secondary school teacher’s certificate. The Icelandic College
of Sport and Physical Education offers a teacher education course in physical education leading to a teacher’s certificate in the
compulsory comprehensive primary and lower secondary school and the upper secondary school. The Icelandic College of Art
and Crafts offers a teacher education course for upper secondary school teacher’s certificate in arts and crafts in cooperation
with the University of Iceland. Students who have completed three years’ of study in the Instrumental Teacher’s Training
Departments, the Vocal Teacher’s Departments, and the Department of Theory and Composition at the Reykjavík College of
Music acquire a professional music teacher’s certificate in the compulsory comprehensive primary and lower secondary
school.
For those who have already completed a Bachelor’s degree, the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Iceland offers
a two-year course in librarianship leading to the librarian’s certificate and a one-year course for certified teachers in
librarianship leading to the certificate for school librarian. The faculty also offers one year programmes (after a BA degree) in
education, leading to the teacher’s certificate, in social work, leading to the social worker’s certificate and diploma courses in
journalism and mass communication and in school counselling.
Examinations for professional qualifications in accountancy are provided by the Society of Chartered Accountants. Graduates
in business administration from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Iceland, who have
completed the relevant advanced courses in accountancy and worked for two years with a chartered accountant, are eligible to
undergo the special examinations for chartered accountants in order to gain the professional qualifications in accountancy
recognised by the Ministry of Finance.
In addition to the cand.juris. degree from the Faculty of Law, University of Iceland, appointments in many legal professions,
for example, within the administration of justice and courts require various practical experience.
Legal or certified translators undergo a special examination for authorised
translators provided by a committee appointed by the Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs.