Language skills
Programme length
1 years.
Study mode
Distance learning
Application status
International students:
Students with Icelandic or Nordic citizenship:
- Are you interested in the organisation of data?
- Would you like to learn methods for improving document management and archiving?
- Would you like a programme that can be completed through distance learning?
- Are you looking for a short and concise programme?
The micro-credential programme in applied archival studies explores traditional and new methods in document management, from the creation of a document to long-term archiving or destruction.
Students also learn about access to official information. Emphasis is placed on the value and application of documents as research sources.
The programme is designed for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in any subject.
Programme structure
The programme is 30 ECTS and is organised as one year of part-time study.
The programme is made up of:
- Mandatory courses, 16 ECTS
- Elective courses, 14 ECTS
This includes restricted electives and free electives. Students must complete at least one restricted elective course.
Students may take a maximum of 5 ECTS in a practical project.
Organisation of teaching
The programme is taught in Icelandic.
The programme is taught in blocks and through distance learning as far as possible, making it easier to complete alongside work.
Main objectives
Graduates from this programme should:
- be familiar with the main aspects of public information and records management
- understand digital records management
- be able to design work processes for contemporary information and records management
It is possible to apply to have credits completed in the micro-credential programme in applied archival studies credited towards a master's degree in history. The micro-credential programme ends with a certificate of completion.
BA, B.Ed., BS degree or an equivalent qualification.
30 ECTS credits have to be completed. The diploma consists of three core courses and electives courses. Core courses are (21 ECTS in total): Public archiving and records management (10 ECTS), Research and sources in archives (5 ECTS) and Administrative Law for Public Executives (6 ECTS). Other courses are elective. Students must choose at least one course from the restricted elective courses list. Students can only complete 4 ECTS in Practical project in archival studies.
The following documents must accompany an application for this programme:
- CV
- Statement of purpose
- Reference 1, Name and email
- Reference 2, Name and email
- Certified copies of diplomas and transcripts
Further information on supporting documents can be found here
Programme structure
Check below to see how the programme is structured.
This programme does not offer specialisations.
- Year unspecified
- Fall
- Reading documents 1550-1850
- Practical project in archival studies
- Public archiving and records management
- Spring 1
- Electronic archiving
- Practical project in archival studies
- Administrative Law for Public Executives
- Research and sources in archives
Year unspecified | Fall
Reading documents 1550-1850 (SAG813F)
Restricted elective course, conditions apply
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description
A survey of Icelandic handwriting in the period and of methods of transcription. Students learn to read different kinds of handwriting from the period.
Language of instruction: Icelandic
Face-to-face learning
Year unspecified | Fall
Practical project in archival studies (SAG104F)
Restricted elective course, conditions apply
4 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The course is an exercise for students to work independent on their own project chosen by the student. Students choose a project with the teacher approval. The project should be practical and can include, for example, describing and arranging an official archive or a private one, various type of work within an institutional archive or within a private company making for example classification plan, records schedule or preparing an official notification on an electronic record management system to a public archive.
Language of instruction: Icelandic
Self-study
Year unspecified | Fall
Public archiving and records management (SAG103M)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
10 ECTS, credits
Course Description
This course covers the role of public archives and archiving and record management in the past and present. The importance of the principle of provenance for archives and history. A summary of the history of administration. The activities and legal environment of public archives in Iceland will be discussed and their role in records management in public administration. What organizations are obliged to transfer their records to public archives. The evolution of archiving and records management in the 20th and 21st centuries will be examined. Methods of records managements, old and new. The sorting and cataloguing of archives.
Language of instruction: Icelandic
Distance learning
Prerequisites
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Electronic archiving (SAG207F)
Restricted elective course, conditions apply
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description
Students will get an insight into electronic record keeping and learn about the rules that apply to electronic record keeping. The process from the creation of an electronic document to its long-time preservation in a public archive will be reviewed. Students also gain an understanding of the structure of electronic systems, the relationship between filing system and the files, the importance of the general records schedule and the filing plan in that context. The requirements for registration and storage in record management systems will then be reviewed and the systems used will be examined. The necessary metadata and what needs to be considered when reporting electronic systems to public archives will be reviewed. Various databases will be discussed and how access to electronic documents will be in the future will be examined.
Language of instruction: Icelandic
Distance learning
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Practical project in archival studies (SAG104F)
Restricted elective course, conditions apply
4 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The course is an exercise for students to work independent on their own project chosen by the student. Students choose a project with the teacher approval. The project should be practical and can include, for example, describing and arranging an official archive or a private one, various type of work within an institutional archive or within a private company making for example classification plan, records schedule or preparing an official notification on an electronic record management system to a public archive.
Language of instruction: Icelandic
Self-study
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Administrative Law for Public Executives (OSS204F)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The course deals with describtion of Icelandic authoroties (the executive), the basic structure of the Icelandic administrative system, main tasks of public authotiries, the scope, relevance and rules of the Administrative Act. no 37/1993 and the relevance and rules of the Information Act. no 140/2012. The main emphasis is on the Administrative Act.
Language of instruction: Icelandic
Face-to-face learning
Online learning
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Research and sources in archives (SAG206M)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
5 ECTS, credits
Course Description
Students learn and are trained in the methods of archival research, finding and evaluating sources in archives. Practical exercises will be assigned.
Language of instruction: Icelandic
Distance learning
Prerequisites
Year unspecified
- Fall
- SAG813FReading documents 1550-1850Restricted elective course5Restricted elective course, conditions apply5 ECTS, creditsCourse Description
A survey of Icelandic handwriting in the period and of methods of transcription. Students learn to read different kinds of handwriting from the period.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesSAG104FPractical project in archival studiesRestricted elective course4Restricted elective course, conditions apply4 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe course is an exercise for students to work independent on their own project chosen by the student. Students choose a project with the teacher approval. The project should be practical and can include, for example, describing and arranging an official archive or a private one, various type of work within an institutional archive or within a private company making for example classification plan, records schedule or preparing an official notification on an electronic record management system to a public archive.
Self-studyPrerequisitesSAG103MPublic archiving and records managementMandatory (required) course10A mandatory (required) course for the programme10 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThis course covers the role of public archives and archiving and record management in the past and present. The importance of the principle of provenance for archives and history. A summary of the history of administration. The activities and legal environment of public archives in Iceland will be discussed and their role in records management in public administration. What organizations are obliged to transfer their records to public archives. The evolution of archiving and records management in the 20th and 21st centuries will be examined. Methods of records managements, old and new. The sorting and cataloguing of archives.
Distance learningPrerequisites- Spring 2
SAG207FElectronic archivingRestricted elective course5Restricted elective course, conditions apply5 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionStudents will get an insight into electronic record keeping and learn about the rules that apply to electronic record keeping. The process from the creation of an electronic document to its long-time preservation in a public archive will be reviewed. Students also gain an understanding of the structure of electronic systems, the relationship between filing system and the files, the importance of the general records schedule and the filing plan in that context. The requirements for registration and storage in record management systems will then be reviewed and the systems used will be examined. The necessary metadata and what needs to be considered when reporting electronic systems to public archives will be reviewed. Various databases will be discussed and how access to electronic documents will be in the future will be examined.
Distance learningPrerequisitesSAG104FPractical project in archival studiesRestricted elective course4Restricted elective course, conditions apply4 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe course is an exercise for students to work independent on their own project chosen by the student. Students choose a project with the teacher approval. The project should be practical and can include, for example, describing and arranging an official archive or a private one, various type of work within an institutional archive or within a private company making for example classification plan, records schedule or preparing an official notification on an electronic record management system to a public archive.
Self-studyPrerequisitesOSS204FAdministrative Law for Public ExecutivesMandatory (required) course6A mandatory (required) course for the programme6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe course deals with describtion of Icelandic authoroties (the executive), the basic structure of the Icelandic administrative system, main tasks of public authotiries, the scope, relevance and rules of the Administrative Act. no 37/1993 and the relevance and rules of the Information Act. no 140/2012. The main emphasis is on the Administrative Act.
Face-to-face learningOnline learningPrerequisitesSAG206MResearch and sources in archivesMandatory (required) course5A mandatory (required) course for the programme5 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionStudents learn and are trained in the methods of archival research, finding and evaluating sources in archives. Practical exercises will be assigned.
Distance learningPrerequisites
The University of Iceland collaborates with over 400 universities worldwide. This provides a unique opportunity to pursue part of your studies at an international university thus gaining added experience and fresh insight into your field of study.
Students generally have the opportunity to join an exchange programme, internship, or summer courses. However, exchanges are always subject to faculty approval.
Students have the opportunity to have courses evaluated as part of their studies at the University of Iceland, so their stay does not have to affect the duration of their studies.
This is a practical programme for anyone working in information and records management Information and records management is essential in many different workplaces, including state institutions, private sector businesses, and organisations.
An education in this area can open up opportunities in:
- Information and records management
- Research
- Public administration
This list is not exhaustive.
There is no specific student organisation for this programme, but students can choose to join a student organisation that suits their specific interests.
Students appreciate the University of Iceland for its strong academic reputation, modern campus facilities, close-knit community, and affordable tuition.
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