Language skills
Programme length
Part time studies for one academic year.
Study mode
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Application status
International students:
Students with Icelandic or Nordic citizenship:
- Are you interested in disability rights?
- Do you want to improve your theoretical knowledge and understanding of disability?
- Do you want a short programme that is both academic and practical?
- Are you passionate about human rights?
The micro-credential programme in disability studies is designed for people who want to improve their theoretical knowledge of disability and disability rights.
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, 26 - 30 ECTS
- Restricted electives, 0 - 6 ECTS
Specialisations
Students choose between the following specialisations:
- Disability studies
- Disability studies and public administration
Organisation of teaching
This programme is taught in Icelandic but most textbooks are in English.
The programme is taught through distance learning.
Main objectives
After completing the programme, students should, for example:
- be familiar with the history, development and theoretical foundation of disability studies.
- be familiar with the main theories and perspectives in disability studies and be able to distinguish between them.
- be able to distinguish between cultural manifestations of disability and the main challenges that disabled people face in their lifetimes, from the critical perspective of disability studies.
Other
Students who complete the programme with a first-class grade may apply for the Master's programme.
BA, BS, BEd degree or equivalent.
Disability studies: 30 ECTS credits have to be completed for the qualification. The micro-credential consists of 30 ECTS credits in core courses in Disability Studies.
Disability studies and public administration: 32 ECTS credits have to be completed. The micro-credential consists of 26 ECTS credits in core courses and 6 ECTS credits in restrictive elective courses.
The following documents must accompany an application for this programme:
- 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.
- Year unspecified
- Fall
- Theories and Perspectives in Disability Studies
- The Life Span, Self and Society
- Spring 1
- Disability in Contemporary Culture
Year unspecified | Fall
Theories and Perspectives in Disability Studies (FFR102F)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
10 ECTS, credits
Course Description
This course focuses on the historical development of theories and perspectives on disability. Emphasis will be on ideologies that have influenced policies, services and disabled people everyday lives and social participation (i.e. normalization, independent living and human rights conventions). Considerable time will be devoted to exploring the new discipline Disability Studies, its origins, main characteristics and relations to other scholarship. Different theoretical perspectives on disability will be examined and the influence of particular theoretical approaches on the development of disability theory. Theoretical discussion will be connected to the disabled people's movements, human rights (including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities), national and international policies, law and the social situation of disabled people.
Language of instruction: Icelandic
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Year unspecified | Fall
The Life Span, Self and Society (FFR302M)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
10 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The conditions and experiences of disabled people will be a central focus of this course with emphasis on the lifespan and main areas of everyday life such as family, education, employment and housing/homes. New Icelandic and international disability research will be explored as well as the forces which influence the identity formation of disabled children, youth and adults. Different theoretical approaches will be used to examine policy, law, services, the welfare system and disabled people's status and social situation in contemporary societies.
Language of instruction: Icelandic
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Prerequisites
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Disability in Contemporary Culture (FFR102M)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
10 ECTS, credits
Course Description
This course explores cultural reactions to disability and disabled people as well as examining the cultural representations and constructions of disability. Special emphasis will be on history, the role of media, popular culture, literature and arts in constructing, defining and representing images of disabled people. Topics also include disability art and culture, identity, femininity and masculinity. The cultural location and context of disability will be examined and how disability can be viewed as one of the aspects creating diversity in contemporary societies. The aim is that students will gain understanding and knowledge of the cultural origins of ideas about disability and will be able to relate them to theoretical perspectives in disability studies, current events and other fields of interest.
Language of instruction: Icelandic
Face-to-face learning
Distance learning
Prerequisites
Year unspecified
- Fall
- FFR102FTheories and Perspectives in Disability StudiesMandatory (required) course10A mandatory (required) course for the programme10 ECTS, creditsCourse Description
This course focuses on the historical development of theories and perspectives on disability. Emphasis will be on ideologies that have influenced policies, services and disabled people everyday lives and social participation (i.e. normalization, independent living and human rights conventions). Considerable time will be devoted to exploring the new discipline Disability Studies, its origins, main characteristics and relations to other scholarship. Different theoretical perspectives on disability will be examined and the influence of particular theoretical approaches on the development of disability theory. Theoretical discussion will be connected to the disabled people's movements, human rights (including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities), national and international policies, law and the social situation of disabled people.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningPrerequisitesFFR302MThe Life Span, Self and SocietyMandatory (required) course10A mandatory (required) course for the programme10 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe conditions and experiences of disabled people will be a central focus of this course with emphasis on the lifespan and main areas of everyday life such as family, education, employment and housing/homes. New Icelandic and international disability research will be explored as well as the forces which influence the identity formation of disabled children, youth and adults. Different theoretical approaches will be used to examine policy, law, services, the welfare system and disabled people's status and social situation in contemporary societies.
Face-to-face learningDistance learningPrerequisites- Spring 2
FFR102MDisability in Contemporary CultureMandatory (required) course10A mandatory (required) course for the programme10 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThis course explores cultural reactions to disability and disabled people as well as examining the cultural representations and constructions of disability. Special emphasis will be on history, the role of media, popular culture, literature and arts in constructing, defining and representing images of disabled people. Topics also include disability art and culture, identity, femininity and masculinity. The cultural location and context of disability will be examined and how disability can be viewed as one of the aspects creating diversity in contemporary societies. The aim is that students will gain understanding and knowledge of the cultural origins of ideas about disability and will be able to relate them to theoretical perspectives in disability studies, current events and other fields of interest.
Face-to-face learningDistance 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.
People with degrees in disability studies can be found working in a range of careers within the service and education systems, as disability rights campaigners and other jobs.
An education in this area can open up opportunities in:
- Rights advocacy
- Project management
- Teaching
- Care work
- Leadership
- Policy making
- Research
This list is not exhaustive.
There is no specific student organisation for this programme, but students meet frequently in the Student Cellar.
Students appreciate the University of Iceland for its strong academic reputation, modern campus facilities, close-knit community, and affordable tuition.
Study wheel
What interests you?
How to apply
Follow the path
If you still have questions, feel free to contact us.
School of Social Sciences
Weekdays 9 am - 3 pm
Student and Teaching Service
The School office offers support to students and lecturers, providing guidance, counselling, and assistance with various matters.
You are welcome to drop by at the office in Gimli or you can book an online meeting in Teams with the staff.
