

- Have you completed an undergraduate degree in psychology with a first class grade?
- Do you want training in scientific working practices?
- Do you want a more in-depth knowledge of psychological challenges, theories and methods?
- Are you interested in acquiring specialist knowledge?
The MS in psychology is a theoretical graduate programme open to students who have completed a BA or BS degree with a first class grade.
In order to be admitted to the MS programme, a student must have a supervisor who is a permanent member of teaching staff.
The programme involves training in scientific methods, as well as participation in courses at the postgraduate level. The core of the programme is a research project and the writing of articles or a thesis based on the project. Other credits shall be earned through participation in courses, seminars or reading courses.
The student shall produce a research plan in collaboration with the supervisor. The research plan must be complete by the end of the second semester.
Programme structure
The programme is 120 ECTS and is organised as two years of full-time study or a maximum of three years of part-time study.
The programme is made up of:
- Courses, 60 ECTS
- Master’s thesis, 60 ECTS
Organisation of teaching
This programme is taught in Icelandic but reading materials are in English.
Main objectives
After completing the programme, students should, for example:
- be able to conduct independent research
- have the skills required to explain scientific findings
- have in-depth knowledge and a thorough understanding of a specific area of psychological research
Other
Completing the programme allows you to apply for doctoral studies
BA or BS degree in Psychology with First Class grades.
- CV
- Statement of purpose
- 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
Programme structure
Check below to see how the programme is structured.
This programme does not offer specialisations.
- First year
- Spring 1
- The Scientific Process: Ethics, Communication and Practicalities
- Conceptual Analysis in Psychology
- Statistics
The Scientific Process: Ethics, Communication and Practicalities (LÝÐ202F)
The course constitutes a practical guide to the preparation of a health-related research study. Modules include: reference search and handling, development of hypotheses, creation of a systematic critical review within chosen field of research, development and presentation of research proposals.
The course is for graduate students who have chosen a field/research question for their dissertation project.
Students in MPH Public Health Sciences and MS Epidemiology and Biostatistics must pass the course before starting work on their final thesis.
Conceptual Analysis in Psychology (SÁL232M)
The main focus will be on commonsense (belief-desire, propositional attitude) psychology and on mistaking a priori statements for empirical hypotheses. Psychological jargon will be analysed in terms of commonsense psychology. Cognitive theories of emotions and the application of commonsense psychology to cognitive-behavioural therapy will be discussed.
Statistics (SÁL233M)
The main subject of the course is regression, interpretation of results, evaluation and comparison of statistical models. The emphasis is on practical analysis and evaluation of model quality. Topics include transformations, categorical variables and interaction.
- Second year
- Fall
- MS thesis in Psychology
- Spring 1
- MS thesis in Psychology
MS thesis in Psychology (SÁL441L)
MS thesis in Psychology
MS thesis in Psychology (SÁL441L)
MS thesis in Psychology
- Spring 2
- LÝÐ202FThe Scientific Process: Ethics, Communication and PracticalitiesElective course6Free elective course within the programme6 ECTS, creditsCourse Description
The course constitutes a practical guide to the preparation of a health-related research study. Modules include: reference search and handling, development of hypotheses, creation of a systematic critical review within chosen field of research, development and presentation of research proposals.
The course is for graduate students who have chosen a field/research question for their dissertation project.
Students in MPH Public Health Sciences and MS Epidemiology and Biostatistics must pass the course before starting work on their final thesis.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesCourse taught second half of the semesterSÁL232MConceptual Analysis in PsychologyElective course6Free elective course within the programme6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe main focus will be on commonsense (belief-desire, propositional attitude) psychology and on mistaking a priori statements for empirical hypotheses. Psychological jargon will be analysed in terms of commonsense psychology. Cognitive theories of emotions and the application of commonsense psychology to cognitive-behavioural therapy will be discussed.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesCourse DescriptionThe main subject of the course is regression, interpretation of results, evaluation and comparison of statistical models. The emphasis is on practical analysis and evaluation of model quality. Topics include transformations, categorical variables and interaction.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisites- Fall
- SÁL441LMS thesis in PsychologyMandatory (required) course0A mandatory (required) course for the programme0 ECTS, creditsCourse Description
MS thesis in Psychology
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesPart of the total project/thesis credits- Spring 2
SÁL441LMS thesis in PsychologyMandatory (required) course0A mandatory (required) course for the programme0 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionMS thesis in Psychology
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesPart of the total project/thesis credits
Second year- Spring 2
- LÝÐ202FThe Scientific Process: Ethics, Communication and PracticalitiesElective course6Free elective course within the programme6 ECTS, creditsCourse Description
The course constitutes a practical guide to the preparation of a health-related research study. Modules include: reference search and handling, development of hypotheses, creation of a systematic critical review within chosen field of research, development and presentation of research proposals.
The course is for graduate students who have chosen a field/research question for their dissertation project.
Students in MPH Public Health Sciences and MS Epidemiology and Biostatistics must pass the course before starting work on their final thesis.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesCourse taught second half of the semesterSÁL232MConceptual Analysis in PsychologyElective course6Free elective course within the programme6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe main focus will be on commonsense (belief-desire, propositional attitude) psychology and on mistaking a priori statements for empirical hypotheses. Psychological jargon will be analysed in terms of commonsense psychology. Cognitive theories of emotions and the application of commonsense psychology to cognitive-behavioural therapy will be discussed.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesCourse DescriptionThe main subject of the course is regression, interpretation of results, evaluation and comparison of statistical models. The emphasis is on practical analysis and evaluation of model quality. Topics include transformations, categorical variables and interaction.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisites- Fall
- SÁL441LMS thesis in PsychologyMandatory (required) course0A mandatory (required) course for the programme0 ECTS, creditsCourse Description
MS thesis in Psychology
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesPart of the total project/thesis credits- Spring 2
SÁL441LMS thesis in PsychologyMandatory (required) course0A mandatory (required) course for the programme0 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionMS thesis in Psychology
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesPart of the total project/thesis credits
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.
Completing an MS in applied psychology allows you to apply for doctoral studies, as well as many specialist positions that require precise and scientific working methods. An MS in applied psychology does not confer professional recognition as a psychologist.
An education in this area can open up opportunities in:
- Research
- Leadership
- Policy making
- Consulting
This list is not exhaustive.
Eros is the organisation for graduate students in psychology at UI. Eros organises a busy social calendar, including workplace tours, events and a spectacular annual gala in the spring semester. Eros also advocates for students and represents them in communications with the Faculty. There are also often Facebook groups for specific year groups.

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