The doctorate in English is a 180ECTS program which takes 3 years of full-time study. Part-time study is available for up to 5 years. If the program has not been completed within the required time limit, the doctoral student can apply to the Graduate Committee for a waiver from this limit. Should the waiver be granted, the Committee can require that the student fulfill the doctoral regulations at the time of the waiver's issue, even if the student began their studies under previous regulations.

A doctoral committee is established for the student, comprising a supervisor and two members of permanent academic staff or other recognized experts in the relevant field. Members of the doctoral committee must have a Ph.D. or equivalent qualifications. The doctoral student is guaranteed regular access to their supervisor. The student should be encouraged and supported in applying for grants from research funds. The Graduate Committee can require that a doctoral student complete specified courses to strengthen their research background, for instance from the Masters program in English at the University of Iceland or at foreign universities. In this case, the supervisor formulates a study plan and submits it to the Graduate Committee for approval.

No later than the end of the first semester, the doctoral student must prepare a detailed plan concerning their research topic and timetable. Ideally, the student should aim, in consultation with their supervisor, to spend some time abroad (e.g. attending courses, project meetings, seminars or conferences). The study plan should be prepared in consultation with the supervisor and approved by the Graduate Committee. The doctoral student should also submit to the Graduate Committee a prospectus concerning their intended research topic and defend it in a seminar. The prospectus should set out the research topic, the research questions to be addressed and the research methods to be pursued. A bibliography should accompany the prospectus.

At the end of the third and fifth semesters, the supervisor should submit a progress report for the student to the Graduate Committee. This report should be discussed at a meeting with the student. If the student's progress is not according to the study plan and no satisfactory explanation is provided for the delay, then the Graduate Committee can deregister the student from the program. In this case, the student would need to re-register for the doctoral program. If the contribution of the supervisor is inadequate, then the Graduate Committee will discuss the matter with them.

Opportunities will be sought to provide doctoral students with teaching at the University of Iceland. They shall be provided with research and work facilities. Doctoral students shall take an active part in the research community of which they are becoming members. They shall attend regular seminars in which they present their ongoing research to faculty members and other postgraduate students.

Doctoral students shall have the opportunity of attending research conferences and presenting their work there. Study grants for doctoral students will be pursued. A doctoral student completes their research studies by writing a thesis of at most 75,000 words. The doctoral thesis shall address a properly delimited and coherent research area, which is investigated thoroughly according to established scholarly methods. The results must be presented in a clear and accessible manner.

A fundamental requirement for the professional researcher is proper citation of research sources and doctoral students will without exception obey the conventions of proper citation. In compiling the thesis bibliography and in citing sources in-text, the doctoral student shall follow the established conventions. The thesis shall be defended by open oral examination. The thesis should be widely disseminated, its findings published and made readily accessible to the international scholarly community. A doctorate in English, resulting from a completed doctoral program as specified in these rules, affords the successful candidate the title of Doctor of Philosophy (philosophiae doctor, Ph.D.).

• CV
• Statement of purpose
• Research proposal
• Study plan
• Reference 1, Name and email
• Reference 2, Name and email
• Supervisor/supervising teacher at the University of Iceland
• Certified copies of diplomas and transcripts

• Proof of English proficiency

Further information on supporting documents can be found here.

Follow this form for the study and research plan.