SECTION I. General rules at the School of Social Sciences.
Article 1. Doctoral study at the School of Social Sciences
The School of Social Sciences offers doctoral programmes in the academic fields for which faculties deem the necessary facilities and expertise to be available, on the condition that faculties are authorised to offer such studies in accordance with Chapter X of the Regulation for the University of Iceland no. 569/2009. The objective of a doctoral programme is to provide students with comprehensive, solid training in research and equip them to carry out independent academic work.
The Regulation on doctoral study at the School of Social Sciences is established in accordance with Articles 47, 68 and 69 of the Regulation for the University of Iceland no. 569/2009, and the Standards and requirements for the quality of doctoral studies.
The University of Iceland Graduate School shall oversee and implement established standards and requirements for the quality of graduate studies at the University of Iceland, see Article 66 of the Regulation for the University of Iceland no. 569/2009. Any information or documentation requested by the University of Iceland Graduate School must be supplied.
Article 2. The School of Social Sciences science committee and faculty standing committees
The School of Social Sciences science committee shall handle matters relating to doctoral studies at the School, e.g. general policy making, collaboration, dissemination of information, coordination, and other responsibilities that may be assigned by faculties or the School of Social Sciences board.
The School science committee comprises the chairs of each faculty's standing committee responsible for issues relating to graduate studies. The chair of the committee is appointed by the dean of the School of Social Sciences for a three-year term. The dean will also appoint one PhD student to the committee at the same time. The dean may ask the doctoral student organisation at the School to nominate this representative, the nominee is not required to be a member of the student organisation. The doctoral student representative will not take part in handling cases or taking decisions about individual students, including decisions about student admissions.
The committee will work with the research director at the School of Social Sciences, the project manager for doctoral studies and research, the director of quality management at the School (who is employed by the committee), or other parties, as determined by the School dean.
The chair of the School of Social Sciences science committee is a member of the University Council Science Committee. The School dean may determine that the chair is also the School's contact with the Graduate School.
The faculty standing committees handle matters relating to doctoral studies, unless this Regulation allows a certain faculty to delegate this responsibility in part or in full to the School of Social Sciences science committee, see Article 69 of the Regulation for the University of Iceland no. 569/2009. The faculty standing committees, or the School of Social Sciences science committee where applicable, shall oversee student admissions, monitor student progress and the appointment of doctoral committees, and ensure consistency in procedures, standards and requirements. Before an academic supervisor is appointed, or proposed, the relevant faculty head must be consulted. If a faculty has delegated the role of standing committee to the School of Social Sciences science committee, the science committee shall consult representatives of the faculty as appropriate and may meet with representatives of the standing committee or the department to discuss specific cases or doctoral projects.
Article 3. Application deadline
Application deadlines are in accordance with University of Iceland Regulations. Further details are published in the University's course catalogue and on the University website.
Article 4. Processing of applications
Applications must be submitted through the appropriate University of Iceland portal using a specific digital form. Supporting documents should be submitted through the same portal.
Administrative staff at the School of Social Sciences will review applications and confirm that all supporting documents have been submitted. Faculty standing committees, or the School of Social Sciences science committee, will discuss and process applications in accordance with specific faculty rules. Faculty representatives in the School of Social Sciences science committee represent applications in their own faculty, having consulted with the head of faculty in accordance with Article 16 of the Regulation for the University of Iceland no. 569/2009.
Article 5. General admission requirements
Those who have completed a Master's degree (Candidate's degree), as a rule with a first class grade, or an equivalent degree from a recognised university may apply to doctoral programmes at faculties within the School of Social Sciences. As a rule, the Master's degree should include a 30 ECTS thesis. Applicants who have not completed a Master's degree (Candidate's degree) or equivalent qualification with a first class grade must demonstrate that they have a comparable level of competence, as determined by the faculty standing committee or the School of Social Sciences science committee. Individual faculties at the School of Social Sciences may set additional requirements beyond the general admission requirements.
Students may apply for a doctoral programme before completing their Master's degree, as long as it can be confirmed that they will complete the Master's programme to a satisfactory standard before the doctoral programme begins. However, it is never possible to commence doctoral studies before completing a Master's degree.
Applications are accepted or rejected on the basis of the applicant's academic background and basic knowledge, as well as an evaluation of the proposed research project, its feasibility (including time plan, scope, resources, risk factors and funding) and the expert knowledge available within the faculty.” On admission of the student the faculty needs to consider if they have the facilities and capacity to admit the student.
Article 6. Number of credits and length of study
A doctoral programme at the School of Social Sciences is at least 180 ECTS and a maximum of 210 ECTS, comprising a doctoral thesis, courses and other work, in accordance with more detailed provisions in the rules for individual faculties. Courses shall as a rule be completed in the first two years of the doctoral programme, or before 2/3 of the doctoral thesis is completed.
Doctoral students must complete their studies at the School of Social Sciences within three to five years, although the maximum length of study may be longer in exceptional circumstances. It is possible to study part time for part of the programme, subject to the approval of the doctoral committee and the faculty standing committee, or the School of Social Sciences science committee as appropriate, in which case the maximum length of study will be seven years, except in exceptional circumstances. If a doctoral student believes that exceptional circumstances apply and wishes for an exemption from the above deadlines, the student must submit a request for a one-year extension to the faculty standing committee, or the School of Social Sciences science committee as appropriate, no later than six months before the deadline for the maximum length of study.
Article 7. Relationship between Master's/undergraduate studies and doctoral studies
A Master’s thesis may not form the basis of a doctoral thesis. However, students may continue work in the same or a related field of research. Undergraduate courses (BA, BS or equivalent) can never count towards a doctoral student’s coursework.
Article 8. Academic supervisor
Every doctoral student shall be assigned an academic supervisor at the start of the programme. A doctoral student's academic supervisor shall as a rule be a member of academic staff (professor, senior lecturer or lecturer) at the faculty concerned within the University of Iceland School of Social Sciences. Academic supervisors for doctoral students must have completed a doctorate or equivalent. Academic supervisors must fulfil the requirements stipulated in the Standards and requirements for the quality of doctoral programmes at the University of Iceland. At the School of Social Sciences, the academic supervisor as a rule has the same role and responsibilities as an administrative supervisor, in accordance with the Regulation for the University of Iceland no. 569/2009. In certain instances, a doctoral student may have two academic supervisors, a main supervisor and a secondary supervisor. One of these academic supervisors must be a member of academic staff in the concerned subject and shall fulfil the role of the administrative supervisor.
The role of the academic supervisor is to guide the doctoral student work on the thesis and monitor the progress. Doctoral students consult with their academic supervisors on writing the research plan, programme structure, choice of courses, or anything else connected to their studies.
Should a dispute arise between the student and an academic supervisor (or the doctoral committee), the student may refer the issue to the faculty head, see Article 16 of the Regulation for the University of Iceland no. 569/2009. The faculty standing committee, or the School Science Committee where applicable, shall inform the student that the Ombudsman for PhD students can be consulted.
Should the academic supervisor (or, as applicable, the secondary supervisor) leave their position at the University, the faculty shall endeavour to appoint a new one, as far as this is possible. Faculties are, however, not obligated to appoint a new supervisor.
Article 9. Doctoral committee: appointment and role
The doctoral committee is composed of the academic supervisor, who shall chair the committee, and two to four specialists in the academic field of the thesis. At least one committee member shall come from outside the University (preferably from a university or research institute abroad). The committee members must have expert knowledge in the doctoral candidate’s field of research and have a doctorate or equivalent. One committee member, at least, must be appointed before the research plan is submitted. As a rule, the doctoral committee shall be fully appointed once the student's mid-term evaluation is complete, see Article 10.
The role of the doctoral committee is to ensure the academic quality of the research and that the student's progression is in line with the research plan and study plan. The doctoral committee will meet with the student as often as necessary for the duration of the programme and at least once a year. The doctoral committee is responsible implementation the student's mid-term evaluation, see Article 10. Before the doctoral defence can be held, the doctoral committee must deliver a substantive evaluation to the faculty standing committee, or the School Science Committee as appropriate, as to whether the doctoral candidate should be permitted to submit the thesis for defence.
Article 10. Mode of study and student progression
The doctoral student shall produce, in consultation with the academic supervisor, a detailed research plan and study plan, along with a plan for periods abroad or the thesis has international significance by other means.
The research plan must be submitted as soon as possible and no later than three months after the start of the programme. The plan must be submitted to the doctoral committee for approval, which at that stage will comprise the academic supervisor and at least one other committee member. The student will not be permitted to continue with the programme unless the committee approves the plan. Any significant changes to the research plan and/or timetable are subject to the approval of the doctoral committee and the faculty standing committee, or the School of Social Sciences science committee as appropriate.
Doctoral students must honour the approved research plan and the maximum length of study. Doctoral students shall undergo a mid-term evaluation, which as a rule takes place at the end of the second year of study. The School of Social Sciences science committee shall oversee the student's progress and carry out the mid-term evaluation where the faculty has delegated this responsibility to the science committee.
If a student is studying part time, the mid-term evaluation may take place at the end of the third year of study. The mid-term evaluation involves a thorough assessment of the doctoral student's knowledge. The doctoral committee's comments must be made in writing and include instructions for improvements where applicable. If the doctoral committee considers the status of the project to be unsatisfactory, the committee may grant the student an extension, up to a maximum of six months, to make amendments. In this case, the student will not be permitted to continue with the programme unless these amendments are made. If the doctoral student believes that the doctoral committee’s comments are not well-founded, they may request that the faculty head review the matter, see Article 50 of the Regulation for the University of Iceland no. 569/2009.
Preferably, doctoral students will actively participate in doctoral seminars within their faculty, the School of Social Sciences or both. Students will present their own projects at least once a year and actively participate in discussing the projects of other students. Preferably, doctoral students will present their research projects outside Iceland and make contributions to academic discussion in their field.
The doctoral student must submit progress reports in accordance with University Regulation. Evaluation of progress is based on the research plan, timetable and the student's activities, such as participation in seminars and contributions to discussions in their field.
Article 11. Evaluation of courses and other work completed by doctoral students
The academic supervisor, in consultation with the doctoral committee, will approve courses at the University of Iceland and other universities. Only accredited higher education courses for ECTS can be part of a doctoral programme. For further details about evaluation of courses and other work, see the specific rules for individual faculties in this Regulation.
Article 12. Doctoral thesis requirements
Doctoral students conclude their research with a thesis. A doctoral thesis may be a single body of work (monograph), or it may be based on a collection of academic articles forming a coherent whole. The thesis must comply with requirements concerning academic methodology and comprise an independent contribution to the creation of knowledge in the field. The doctoral thesis must as a rule not exceed 100,000 words in length. It must be written in English unless there is a particular justification to write it in another language. For a thesis made up of a collection of articles, the student must compose an introductory chapter (kappa) outlining the theories relevant to the subject of the research and the methodological approach, as well as summarising the overall conclusions of the research. An article-based thesis must include a minimum of three articles, in addition to the introductory chapter (kappa). The doctoral student must be the primary author of at least two of the articles. The doctoral student's contribution to the other articles must be significant. A statement accompanying the thesis shall explain the student's contributions, in accordance with the Code of Research Ethics for Public Higher Education Institutions. All articles must meet international standards. Other requirements for doctoral theses are outlined in the specific rules for individual faculties in this Regulation.
Article 13. Opponents
Opponents for the doctoral defence must be two independent parties who are not members of the doctoral committee. They shall be selected by the faculty standing committee or the School Science Committee as applicable and approved by the Graduate School. The committee concerned may request nominations from the academic supervisor and the doctoral committee. Only those who have completed a doctorate or equivalent may be opponents in a doctoral defence at the School of Social Sciences. Both opponents must be from outside the School and preferably, if language considerations allow, from a university or scientific institute abroad.
Article 14. Submission and format of doctoral theses
Once the doctoral student has completed the thesis, the doctoral committee shall send a statement to the faculty standing committee, or the School science committee where applicable, explaining why the thesis is ready for defence.
If the faculty standing committee, or the School science committee where applicable, believes that the thesis meets formal requirements, a properly formatted final manuscript is sent to the opponents at least three months before the proposed date for the defence. Within six weeks, the opponents shall send the School of Social Sciences Office a reasoned statement explaining whether they deem the thesis fit for defence, making suggestions for improvements, if necessary, and stating whether certain changes must be made before the doctoral defence can take place.
In order for a doctoral defence to go ahead, the doctoral student must have made satisfactory alterations before the defence takes place, as determined by the opponents and doctoral committee. If the student does not accept the conclusions of the opponents and doctoral committee, they may refer the case to the head of faculty, see Article 50 of the Regulation for the University of Iceland no. 569/2009.
Students must follow instructions from the School of Social Sciences regarding submission and formatting of the thesis, as well as the Rules of procedure on the digital submission and archiving of PhD theses. The thesis must clearly indicate that it was completed at the University of Iceland, as well as the names of both the faculty and School. University funds and other funding sources must be named. Every doctoral thesis must be accompanied by an abstract in Icelandic and English. The doctoral student is responsible for printing and publication of the thesis, which must be completed four weeks prior to the defence.
Article 15. Academic transcript
When a doctoral thesis is submitted, the doctoral student's academic transcript shall also be submitted. This is then processed and certified by the faculty and UI Student Registration.
Article 16. Student responsibilities
The Regulation for the University of Iceland no. 569/2009, the Standards and requirements for the quality of doctoral programmes at the University of Iceland, the Code of Research Ethics for Public Higher Education Institutions, and the University of Iceland Code of Ethics apply concerning the rights and responsibilities of students.
Article 17. Doctoral defence
The doctoral candidate shall publicly defend the thesis on the date determined by the faculty concerned. The thesis shall be assessed and defended in accordance with the Regulations of the University of Iceland on doctoral studies. Grades are not awarded for doctoral degrees, see Article 61 of the Regulation for the University of Iceland no. 569/2009. The School of Social Sciences shall establish further rules of procedure regarding doctoral defences.
SECTION II. Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics
Article 18 Science committee
The Science Committee within the Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics serves as the standing committee, see Article 2. The faculty Science Committee comprises one representative from each department at the Faculty, as appropriate.
The Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics may decide to delegate the role of standing committee to the School of Social Sciences Science Committee in part or in full.
Article 19. Number of credits and length of study
A doctoral programme at the Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics consists of a 180 ECTS doctoral thesis and 30 ECTS of courses within the academic field of the doctoral research.
Article 20. Doctoral committee
A doctoral committee shall be appointed on the academic supervisor’s recommendations and approved by the Faculty science Committee or, as appropriate, School science committee.
Article 21. Doctoral thesis
An article-based thesis must include a minimum of three scientific articles. Two articles must have been accepted for publication in international, recognized peer-reviewed journals. The third article must have been submitted for publication in an equivalent journal along with any further articles where applicable. The doctoral student must be first author of at least two of the articles, at least one of which must have been accepted for publication.
SECTION III. Faculty of Social Work.
Article 22. Science committee
The Science Committee within the Faculty of Social Work serves as the standing committee, see Article 2. Three representatives from the Faculty shall sit on the Science Committee and its chair shall be the Faculty’s representative in the School of Social Sciences Science Committee. The Committee is elected by the Faculty meeting. The Faculty of Social Work may decide to delegate the role of standing committee to the School of Social Sciences science committee in part or in full.
Article 23. Number of credits and length of study
A doctoral programme at the Faculty of Social Work consists of a 180 ECTS doctoral thesis and 30 ECTS of courses within the academic field of the doctoral research.
Article 24. Seminars in doctoral studies
During the doctoral programme, students must give an account for or present their research in three seminars, each of which is a prerequisite for the next stage. The seminars are held by the Faculty’s science committee, the academic supervisor and permanent teaching staff at the Faculty.
The first seminar is held in the first semester of the doctoral programme. The student shall introduce and defend the research plan at this seminar. The faculty science committee appoints an opponent. After the student's presentation, the committee and the academic supervisor must approve the research plan. After this, the science committee shall appoint a doctoral committee.
The second seminar shall be held once the supervisor and the doctoral student consider the work half finished. This seminar may serve as the mid-term evaluation. The science committee shall appoint an opponent, who is not a member of the doctoral committee but is a member of teaching staff at another university or another faculty. Following the seminar, the opponent submits a written statement on the topic, approach, and data collection.
The third seminar shall be held once the doctoral committee considers the thesis to be in the final stages. The science committee shall appoint an opponent who is not a member of the doctoral committee or the Faculty. The opponent shall submit oral and written statements for the doctoral student and doctoral committee recommending improvements for the final version. This having been done, the doctoral committee shall decide whether the thesis is acceptable for defence.
Article 25. Academic supervisor and doctoral committee
A doctoral committee shall be appointed by the Faculty on the academic supervisor’s recommendations and approved by the Faculty of Social Work science committee. The doctoral committee is composed of the academic supervisor and two to four specialists in the relevant field. At least one of them must work outside the Faculty. The academic supervisor chairs the committee.
Article 26. Doctoral thesis
The doctoral thesis shall be written in English unless there is a particular justification to write it in in another language. Doctoral students who wish to write in another language must submit a reasoned application to the Faculty Science Committee asking for an exemption to the general rule. An article-based thesis must include at least three scientific articles. The doctoral student must be the main author (i.e. as a rule the first author) of at least two of the articles. Two of the articles must have been accepted for publication and the others must have been submitted for publication in peer-reviewed international journals. The doctoral candidate must be the first author of at least one of the two articles that have been accepted.
SECTION IV. Faculty of Economics.
Article 27. Science committee
The science committee within the Faculty of Economics serves as the standing committee, see Article 2. The Faculty of Economics science committee comprises the Faculty's representatives on the School of Social Sciences science committee and at least two other members elected at a Faculty meeting. The committee shall consult with the Faculty head as appropriate. The committee shall be appointed for a three-year term. The Faculty of Economics may decide to delegate the role of standing committee to the School of Social Sciences science committee in part or in full.
Article 28 Admission requirements
A Master’s degree in economics with a good grade is as a rule a prerequisite for admission to doctoral studies at the Faculty of Economics. In case of interdisciplinary doctoral programmes, applicants with Master's degrees from other academic fields may be accepted. In such cases, admission shall be based on a reasoned argument showing that enrolment at the Faculty of Economics will benefit the interdisciplinary doctoral programme. On admission, the academic supervisor and the School of Social Sciences science committee shall determine whether the student needs to take courses in the academic field in question.
Article 29 Structure of the doctoral programme
The doctoral programme involves, as a rule, specialisation through courses and independent research concluding with a doctoral thesis. Doctoral programmes at the Faculty of Economics are made up of a 180 ECTS thesis and up to 30 ECTS in courses, as determined by the academic supervisor and the School of Social Sciences science committee on admission. The School of Social Sciences science committee may, in consultation with the academic supervisor, require the student to complete certain courses. Should a dispute arise between the academic supervisor and the doctoral committee, the School of Social Sciences science committee shall rule on the issue. Some courses may be reading courses, in which case the School of Social Sciences science committee shall nominate an administrative supervisor or supervisors for each course in consultation with the Faculty head. Supervisors determine the requirements for the courses in question and decide whether the student has passed. Preferably, the doctoral student completes part of the programme at a recognised foreign academic or research institute.
Article 30 Doctoral committee
The School of Social Sciences science committee shall appoint a doctoral committee for the student following submission of the research plan. The doctoral committee shall be appointed in accordance with a proposal from the administrative supervisor (the main academic supervisor). At least one professor shall sit on the doctoral committee.
Article 31 Assessment and monitoring of student progression
The School of Social Sciences science committee shall oversee the progress of doctoral students at the Faculty of Economics and carry out their mid-term evaluations.
Doctoral students shall participate in at least one seminar at the Faculty each year. Preferably doctoral students should make efforts to present their work abroad and participate in academic meetings and conferences related to their subject.
The academic supervisor, doctoral committee and the School of Social Sciences science committee may, together or individually, examine the student’s general academic knowledge in the relevant field.
Article 32 Doctoral thesis requirements
The content of a doctoral thesis must be fit for publication in international peer-reviewed journals in economics.
SECTION V. Faculty of Law.
Article 3.3 Composition and role of the science committee
The Faculty of Law meeting elects a three-member science committee that serves as the standing committee, see Article 2.
Article 34. Additional admission requirements
Those who have completed an undergraduate and Master's degree (Magister juris) or equivalent qualifications in law from the University of Iceland or another recognised university may apply to doctoral programmes at the Faculty of Law.
The science committee may require an applicant to demonstrate proficiency in the language in which they intend to write the thesis by taking an examination or supplying further specific certification on this requirement.
Individuals who have pursued doctoral studies in law at another recognised university may apply to commence doctoral studies at the Faculty of Law, on the condition that this previous study has been evaluated by the science committee.
Article 35. Number of credits and duration of study
A doctoral programme at the Faculty of Law is 180 ECTS. Together with writing the thesis, the doctoral student shall pursue study/courses in accordance with the research plan. Courses, assignments and other work completed by doctoral students must amount to a minimum of 30 ECTS out of 180, with the thesis amounting to 150 ECTS.
Compulsory courses for doctoral students shall, among other things, cover fundamental knowledge of legal research, including research methods. If the academic supervisor and doctoral committee consider it necessary for a student to further improve their fundamental knowledge, the student may be required to complete additional academic courses, up to 30 additional ECTS, beyond the aforementioned 180 ECTS.
Article 36. Evaluation of courses and other work completed by doctoral students
The following criteria shall be relied on in the assessment of courses and other work completed by a doctoral student:
Courses for doctoral students organised by Juforsk Nordic (the Nordic Network for Legal Research Education) will be evaluated for ECTS in accordance with the course description and/or syllabus.
ECTS may also be awarded for:
Courses, conferences, seminars and summer schools aimed at doctoral students / researchers, including doctoral courses held for doctoral students at other universities outside the Nordic Network mentioned in item 1.
Courses offered by recognised higher education institutions in a subject other than law, if the subject is relevant to the doctoral student's research, e.g. statistics, economics, sociology, international political science, grammar, physical sciences, public health, etc.
Teaching at the law faculty of a recognised university, up to a maximum of 6 ECTS.
Otherwise, teaching and other academic work shall as a rule is not evaluated for credits unless it is specifically aimed at doctoral students/researchers and is relevant to the doctoral student's research.
The number of credits awarded for courses and other work in accordance with item 2 shall be determined as follows:
Each ECTS credit represents 25 hours of work, including preparation (e.g. required reading), attendance, active participation (e.g. lectures or presentations) and follow-up (e.g. reporting).
Shorter presentations on the student's own research are not evaluated for credits.
Formal academic presentations on the student's research (e.g. presentations given in preparation for the doctoral defence) shall be evaluated for 1-2 ECTS depending on their content.
Independent lectures or presentations at conference shall be evaluated for 1-2 ECTS depending on their content.
As a rule, each full day at a course, conference, etc. shall be evaluated for 1 ECTS. In exceptional circumstances, 2 or more ECTS may be awarded for each full day of a course that requires extensive preparation and/or significant active participation.
Students must complete at least 12 ECTS in courses providing fundamental knowledge in legal research, including research methods.
Evaluation of work for credits in accordance with this Article shall otherwise be based on the JurForsk guidelines.
The doctoral student is responsible for retaining all relevant documents, such as letters, course descriptions, conference or seminar programmes, acknowledgements, confirmations and other material relevant to the evaluation.
Doctoral students must request in writing that the science committee evaluate their work for credits. Requests must be accompanied by a short statement and reasoned argument in the case of work outlined in items 2 or 3, paragraph 1.
The Faculty, having received the recommendation of the Science Committee, shall determine whether the doctoral student has submitted satisfactory documentation and explanations. The Faculty must communicate its decision in writing.
Article 37. Academic supervisor and processing of applications
The Faculty shall decide on applications to doctoral programmes, having received a written statement from the science committee. If the application is accepted, the Faculty shall appoint an academic supervisor at the same time as responding to the application after obtaining a recommendation from the science committee thereon.
The Faculty, on the recommendation of the science committee, may permit a doctoral student to have two academic supervisors, a main supervisor and a secondary supervisor. The main academic supervisor is then also the doctoral student's administrative supervisor. The appointment of a main supervisor and a secondary supervisor, where applicable, is subject to the approval of the science committee and shall be announced at a Faculty meeting.
It is possible to apply for an exemption to the rule that the main supervisor must be a permanent member of academic staff (professor, senior lecturer or lecturer) at the Faculty of Law. Such applications shall be submitted to the Faculty. The secondary supervisor must then be a permanent member of academic staff at the Faculty and shall fulfil the role and responsibilities of the administrative supervisor.
Article 38. Doctoral thesis requirements
A doctoral thesis at the Faculty of Law may be a monograph or a collection of academic articles that form a comprehensive whole. The length of the thesis must take into account its subject matter and structure. If the doctoral thesis is written in Icelandic, an abstract and summary must be included in English or another language.
If the thesis is a collection of articles, they must be at least three articles, as a rule between three and five, or more in the case of jointly authored articles. At least some of the articles must have been published in a foreign publication. As a rule, the articles shall be published before the doctoral defence takes place. However, it is possible to complete the doctorate before the articles are published if the editorial board for the journal or book in question can confirm that the peer review process is complete and the article has been accepted for publication.
A composite thesis must begin with a special introductory chapter (synopsis), see paragraph 6, Article 12.
SECTION VI. Faculty of Political Science.
Article 39. Science committee
The science committee within the Faculty of Political Science serves as the standing committee. The Faculty of Political Science may decide to delegate the role of standing committee to the School of Social Sciences science committee in part or in full.
Article 40. Number of credits
A doctoral programme at the Faculty of Political Science consists of a 180 ECTS doctoral thesis and 30 ECTS of courses within the academic field of the doctoral research.
Article 41. Doctoral committee
A doctoral committee shall be appointed on the academic supervisor’s recommendations and approved by the Faculty Science Committee or, as appropriate, School science committee.
Article 42. Doctoral thesis
A composite doctoral thesis must include a minimum of three scientific articles. Two articles must have been approved for publication in recognised international peer-reviewed journals. The doctoral candidate must be the main author of at least one of the two articles that have been accepted. At least one additional article must have been submitted for peer review.
SECTION VII. Faculty of Business Administration.
Article 43. Doctoral studies committee
The doctoral studies committee within the Faculty of Business Administration serves as the standing committee. The Faculty of Business Administration may decide to delegate the role of standing committee to the School of Social Sciences science committee in part or in full.
Article 44. Number of credits
A doctoral programme at the Faculty of Business Administration is 180 ECTS, i.e. a doctoral thesis which is 180 ECTS and, as appropriate, doctoral courses determined by the academic supervisor in consultation with the student. Course credits do not contribute towards the number of credits required for the doctoral programme. Doctoral seminars at the Faculty of Business Administration are mandatory for the duration of the doctoral programme. The academic supervisor may also require the doctoral student to take Master’s courses as part of the student's preparation.
Article 45. Seminars
Doctoral students at the Faculty of Business Administration must present their projects at least once a year at the Faculty's doctoral seminars for the duration of the programme. These presentations are mandatory and students receive 2 ECTS for each seminar. Students are not considered to have achieved a satisfactory academic performance each year until they have met the minimum requirements regarding seminars.
Article 46. Doctoral thesis
The following rules apply to composite doctoral theses:
Number of articles: Four.
Accepted for publication: Of these four, two articles must have been accepted for publication and the third article must be well into the peer review process, i.e. the revise and resubmit stage, and the fourth article must have been submitted to a journal.
Articles published in recognised international journals: Publication venue must meet the requirements of Scopus, Web of Science or the highest ranking in the Nordic databases.
Monograph theses
If a student chooses to write a thesis which is a monograph, the academic contributions behind the work should be comparable to the above requirements.
Article 47. Entry into force.
This Regulation applies to PhD students enrolled after it enters into force. The Regulation also applies to all PhD students currently enrolled as it enters into force, except in cases where the old regulation is more favourable to students.