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Language skills
required, minimum level of B2
Programme length
Part time studies for two semesters.
Study mode
Face-to-face learning
Application status
International students:
Students with Icelandic or Nordic citizenship:
Overview

  • Are you interested in multicultural studies?
  • Do you have experience working with immigrants or refugees?
  • Do you want to build the skills you need to work with multicultural groups of refugees and immigrants?
  • Do you want to acquire specialist knowledge in this field?

The graduate diploma in multiculturalism, affairs of migrants and refugees is a 30 ECTS programme for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in the social, health or educational sciences.

The programme provides students with knowledge of the key theories, approaches and methods in social work used by those working with immigrants and refugees. Students acquire knowledge of the main trends and policies in research and academic debate within social work about issues affecting these two groups. The programme focuses on examining the circumstances of immigrants and refugees as a whole, including welfare services, employment and education, integration and social engagement, as well as national and local policy in these matters.

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, 14 ECTS
  • Elective courses, 16 ECTS

Organisation of teaching

This programme is taught in Icelandic and English but most textbooks are in English.

Teaching is in blocks, either streamed online or face-to-face on the UI campus.

Main objectives

The programme aims to meet the demand for professionals with improved skills and knowledge of issues affecting diverse groups of immigrants and refugees.

Other

It is possible to transfer credits from this programme to the research-based MA in social work, on the condition that admission requirements are met.

Applicants must hold a BA or BS degree from social sciences, health sciences or educational sciences, with a grade point average of the Icelandic 7.25 (first).

30 ECTS credits have to be completed for the qualification.

The following documents must accompany an application for this programme:
  • CV
  • Statement of purpose
  • 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.

Not taught this semester
First year | Fall
Reading course in spesialised area (FRG063F)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
4 ECTS, credits
Course Description

Reading course in spesialised area.

Language of instruction: Icelandic
Face-to-face learning
Prerequisites
Not taught this semester
First year | Spring 1
Multicultural Social Work (FRG008F)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
10 ECTS, credits
Course Description

The aim of the course is to increase specialized knowledge and skills in the field of work with diverse groups of refugees and immigrants in the field of social work. The situation of immigrants and refugees is discussed, as well as in the context of welfare services, education and employment. The course will focus on deepening students' knowledge, understanding and competence in cultural competence at work (cultural competence). Emphasis will also be placed on deepening students' knowledge of prevailing currents and policies in academic discussion, research and policy-making in refugee and immigration issues from a critical perspective.

Language of instruction: Icelandic
Face-to-face learning
Year unspecified | Fall
General Gender Studies (KYN101F)
Free elective course within the programme
10 ECTS, credits
Course Description

The course addresses the main issues in gender studies through the lens of diversity in modern societies. The gender perspective is applied to provide an overview of the status and condition of men and women. The origins and development of the fight for women’s rights and gender studies as an academic field. The main concepts of gender studies are introduced, including sex, gender, essentialism and constructivism. Finally, the course looks into how gender necessarily intersects with other social factors.

Teaching Arrangement: The course is based on flipped learning, which means that all lectures will be available on Canvas. On-campus and distance students attend weekly discussion sessions at the university or on Teams, and online students participate in weekly discussions on Canvas

Language of instruction: Icelandic
Face-to-face learning
Online learning
Not taught this semester
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Theories of development (MAN019F)
Free elective course within the programme
10 ECTS, credits
Course Description

This course deals with the main theories that have been presented to explain the division of the world into differently 'developed' areas and suggestions for their improvement. The concept of development will be examined, and economical, sociological, Marxist, feministic, post-theories and critical modernism theories on development will be discussed. There will also be a discussion on the Washington consensus and the post-Washington consensus along with perceptions of development as good governance and a corruption-free society. There will be an emphasis on the contribution of anthropology to theories of development and finally the interplay between theories of development and approaches in development co-operation will be explored.

Language of instruction: Icelandic
Face-to-face learning
Online learning
Not taught this semester
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Human rights and disability (FFR109F)
Free elective course within the programme
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description

The aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge and understanding of the human rights of disabled people, especially as these are articulated in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and national legislation. The course will examine the social and cultural understanding of disability developed within disability studies as well as discussing the ideology behind the CRPD. Special emphasis will be on equality and non-discrimination on the basis of disability in the CRPD, the EU directive on equal treatment and non-discrimination in employment, and Icelandic legislation. 

Language of instruction: Icelandic
Face-to-face learning
Online learning
Not taught this semester
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Human rights and disability (FFR104M)
Free elective course within the programme
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description

The aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge and understanding of the human rights of disabled people, especially as these are articulated in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and national legislation. The course will examine the social and cultural understanding of disability developed within disability studies as well as discussing the ideology behind the CRPD. Special emphasis will be on equality and non-discrimination on the basis of disability in the CRPD, the EU directive on equal treatment and non-discrimination in employment, and Icelandic legislation.

Language of instruction: Icelandic
Face-to-face learning
Online learning
First year
  • Fall
  • Not taught this semester
    FRG063F
    Reading course in spesialised area
    Mandatory (required) course
    4
    A mandatory (required) course for the programme
    4 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    Reading course in spesialised area.

    Face-to-face learning
    Prerequisites
  • Spring 2
  • Not taught this semester
    FRG008F
    Multicultural Social Work
    Mandatory (required) course
    10
    A mandatory (required) course for the programme
    10 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    The aim of the course is to increase specialized knowledge and skills in the field of work with diverse groups of refugees and immigrants in the field of social work. The situation of immigrants and refugees is discussed, as well as in the context of welfare services, education and employment. The course will focus on deepening students' knowledge, understanding and competence in cultural competence at work (cultural competence). Emphasis will also be placed on deepening students' knowledge of prevailing currents and policies in academic discussion, research and policy-making in refugee and immigration issues from a critical perspective.

    Face-to-face learning
    Prerequisites
  • Fall
  • KYN101F
    General Gender Studies
    Elective course
    10
    Free elective course within the programme
    10 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    The course addresses the main issues in gender studies through the lens of diversity in modern societies. The gender perspective is applied to provide an overview of the status and condition of men and women. The origins and development of the fight for women’s rights and gender studies as an academic field. The main concepts of gender studies are introduced, including sex, gender, essentialism and constructivism. Finally, the course looks into how gender necessarily intersects with other social factors.

    Teaching Arrangement: The course is based on flipped learning, which means that all lectures will be available on Canvas. On-campus and distance students attend weekly discussion sessions at the university or on Teams, and online students participate in weekly discussions on Canvas

    Face-to-face learning
    Online learning
    Prerequisites
  • Spring 2
  • Not taught this semester
    MAN019F
    Theories of development
    Elective course
    10
    Free elective course within the programme
    10 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    This course deals with the main theories that have been presented to explain the division of the world into differently 'developed' areas and suggestions for their improvement. The concept of development will be examined, and economical, sociological, Marxist, feministic, post-theories and critical modernism theories on development will be discussed. There will also be a discussion on the Washington consensus and the post-Washington consensus along with perceptions of development as good governance and a corruption-free society. There will be an emphasis on the contribution of anthropology to theories of development and finally the interplay between theories of development and approaches in development co-operation will be explored.

    Face-to-face learning
    Online learning
    Prerequisites
  • Not taught this semester
    FFR109F
    Human rights and disability
    Elective course
    6
    Free elective course within the programme
    6 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    The aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge and understanding of the human rights of disabled people, especially as these are articulated in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and national legislation. The course will examine the social and cultural understanding of disability developed within disability studies as well as discussing the ideology behind the CRPD. Special emphasis will be on equality and non-discrimination on the basis of disability in the CRPD, the EU directive on equal treatment and non-discrimination in employment, and Icelandic legislation. 

    Face-to-face learning
    Online learning
    Prerequisites
  • Not taught this semester
    FFR104M
    Human rights and disability
    Elective course
    6
    Free elective course within the programme
    6 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    The aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge and understanding of the human rights of disabled people, especially as these are articulated in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and national legislation. The course will examine the social and cultural understanding of disability developed within disability studies as well as discussing the ideology behind the CRPD. Special emphasis will be on equality and non-discrimination on the basis of disability in the CRPD, the EU directive on equal treatment and non-discrimination in employment, and Icelandic legislation.

    Face-to-face learning
    Online learning
    Prerequisites
Year unspecified
  • Fall
  • Not taught this semester
    FRG063F
    Reading course in spesialised area
    Mandatory (required) course
    4
    A mandatory (required) course for the programme
    4 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    Reading course in spesialised area.

    Face-to-face learning
    Prerequisites
  • Spring 2
  • Not taught this semester
    FRG008F
    Multicultural Social Work
    Mandatory (required) course
    10
    A mandatory (required) course for the programme
    10 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    The aim of the course is to increase specialized knowledge and skills in the field of work with diverse groups of refugees and immigrants in the field of social work. The situation of immigrants and refugees is discussed, as well as in the context of welfare services, education and employment. The course will focus on deepening students' knowledge, understanding and competence in cultural competence at work (cultural competence). Emphasis will also be placed on deepening students' knowledge of prevailing currents and policies in academic discussion, research and policy-making in refugee and immigration issues from a critical perspective.

    Face-to-face learning
    Prerequisites
  • Fall
  • KYN101F
    General Gender Studies
    Elective course
    10
    Free elective course within the programme
    10 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    The course addresses the main issues in gender studies through the lens of diversity in modern societies. The gender perspective is applied to provide an overview of the status and condition of men and women. The origins and development of the fight for women’s rights and gender studies as an academic field. The main concepts of gender studies are introduced, including sex, gender, essentialism and constructivism. Finally, the course looks into how gender necessarily intersects with other social factors.

    Teaching Arrangement: The course is based on flipped learning, which means that all lectures will be available on Canvas. On-campus and distance students attend weekly discussion sessions at the university or on Teams, and online students participate in weekly discussions on Canvas

    Face-to-face learning
    Online learning
    Prerequisites
  • Spring 2
  • Not taught this semester
    MAN019F
    Theories of development
    Elective course
    10
    Free elective course within the programme
    10 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    This course deals with the main theories that have been presented to explain the division of the world into differently 'developed' areas and suggestions for their improvement. The concept of development will be examined, and economical, sociological, Marxist, feministic, post-theories and critical modernism theories on development will be discussed. There will also be a discussion on the Washington consensus and the post-Washington consensus along with perceptions of development as good governance and a corruption-free society. There will be an emphasis on the contribution of anthropology to theories of development and finally the interplay between theories of development and approaches in development co-operation will be explored.

    Face-to-face learning
    Online learning
    Prerequisites
  • Not taught this semester
    FFR109F
    Human rights and disability
    Elective course
    6
    Free elective course within the programme
    6 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    The aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge and understanding of the human rights of disabled people, especially as these are articulated in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and national legislation. The course will examine the social and cultural understanding of disability developed within disability studies as well as discussing the ideology behind the CRPD. Special emphasis will be on equality and non-discrimination on the basis of disability in the CRPD, the EU directive on equal treatment and non-discrimination in employment, and Icelandic legislation. 

    Face-to-face learning
    Online learning
    Prerequisites
  • Not taught this semester
    FFR104M
    Human rights and disability
    Elective course
    6
    Free elective course within the programme
    6 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    The aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge and understanding of the human rights of disabled people, especially as these are articulated in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and national legislation. The course will examine the social and cultural understanding of disability developed within disability studies as well as discussing the ideology behind the CRPD. Special emphasis will be on equality and non-discrimination on the basis of disability in the CRPD, the EU directive on equal treatment and non-discrimination in employment, and Icelandic legislation.

    Face-to-face learning
    Online learning
    Prerequisites
Additional information

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.

An education in this area can open up opportunities in:

  • Welfare services
  • Social work
  • Employment and education
  • National and local government

This list is not exhaustive

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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.

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