15 - Iceland - Certification
Higher education institutions offer courses which lead to the granting of a certificate and/or a degree or
a title. Examination results and assessment are stated on the certificate, as is the degree/title to which
the course gives entitlement. These are awarded when the student successfully completes the
examinations, projects or dissertation described by the subject regulations. A dissertation or research
project is almost always a pre-requisite for obtaining a degree. Some degree courses may lead directly
to professional qualifications, while in other cases additional training specific to the profession, such as
additional specialised study programmes, sometimes combined with practical training, is required.
Bachelor’s degrees do usually not confer professional qualifications, except in nursing (BSc) and
teaching (B.Ed.) The bachelor’s degree constitutes a formal qualification for post-graduate study. The
ministries in question issue certification for different professions. For example the Ministry of
Education, Science and Culture issues certification for teachers.
As required by law, and subject to review by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, higher
education institutions are responsible for issuing certificates and defining the content and examination
methods of courses leading to certification.
To improve international transparency and facilitate academic and professional recognition of
qualifications, all higher education institutions have since spring 2005 introduced the Diploma
Supplement (DS) for graduates.
Under the Universities Act, the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture is to issue a list of degrees
recognised by the Ministry, and their content.
Institutions:
The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture
Eurydice - the information network on education in Europe
Date: 2009
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