Application and supporting documents for graduate studies

Doctoral studies

Application for doctoral studies are open all year.  Please contact the project manager at phdsens@hi.is if the online application is not open.   You need to have a supervisor before you apply.

You apply online, here is the online application form
ONLINE APPLICATION FORM

The University Online Application System gives each applicant an ID number that can be used to monitor the status of the application at https://english.hi.is/university/information_for_applicants.  User interfaces in Icelandic or English are available.
If the ID number is lost please contact student registration admisson@hi.is
On the online application form, you will be required to provide the following details:

• Program selection: from a drop-down menu of graduate programs selected 

• Personal information including a scan (PDF file) of your passport.

• Previous education: degrees awarded with dates and subject(s).

• References: provide names, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of two referees.  Referees should write one letter of recommendation. Please ask your referees to send their letters of recommendation directly to the University of Iceland.

• Name of your supervisor in the University of Iceland

• Supporting documents to be uploaded:

– curriculum vitae (CV) (see below)
– statement of purpose (see below)
– scanned transcripts (see below)
– Copy of grant or scholarship application and/or confirmation, if applicable.
– Proof of English Proficiency (see below)

Please ensure that all requested supporting documents are submitted no later than two weeks after the application is submitted.  Further information about the studies, admittance requirements etc.can be found in the course catalogue.
Applicants for the Ph.D. program at School of Engineering and Natural Sciences are:  

• Required to find a departmental coordinator/supervisor and are advised to contact the teachers in the field they are interested in to find a supervisor.

• Required to have an idea for a research project before applying. 

Once the application has been submitted, the applicant may monitor its status via the University of Iceland Online Application System at https://english.hi.is/university/information_for_applicants. Applicants will be notified of their application results at https://english.hi.is/university/information_for_applicants.  If the applicant is accepted in the program, reply letter will be attached on the webpage https://english.hi.is/university/information_for_applicants. 

• Curriculum vitae (CV) (see below)

• Statement of purpose (see below)

• Transcripts (see below)

• Copy of grant or scholarship application and/or confirmation, if applicable.

• References (see below)

• English Language Proficiency Requirement (see below)

• Pdf scan of your passport

In addition to your personal contact information and educational history (some of which will overlap with the information you provide on the online application form), you should list your teaching experience, conference and other presentations and publications, employment history, honours and awards, as well as relevant extracurricular activities.
Your curriculum vitae (CV) should be uploaded and submitted as a PDF file, with your online application (see above). Please include your name in the file name along with a descriptive title, for example: Jane_Smith_CV.pdf

A short description of your motivation for applying for the graduate program ( ½- 1 page A4). State the reasons why you want to pursue graduate work in the field of xxx, the issues and problems you want to address, and your professional goals. Briefly describe why you choose the University of Iceland. Please specify the name of your supervisor if you are applying for doctoral studies.
Your statement of purpose, written in English, should be uploaded and submitted as a PDF file together with your online application (see above). Please include your name in the file name along with a descriptive title, for example: Jane_Smith_statement.pdf

With an application for a doctoral programme, a transcript and diploma from your previous university studies both at the undergraduate and postgraduate level must be submitted. If official records are not available in English, the originals should be accompanied by a certified English translation. Note that a translation cannot be submitted instead of the original records; the original records must be submitted as well. Explanation of grading system of university degree(s) in English.

Supporting documents need to be submitted in one of the following ways:

• With an electronic signature in pdf format 

Only pdf documents are accepted with application that are digitally signed by the institution and coming from trusted Adobe parties. The document can be attached in the online application form or sent to transcript@hi.is. 

• Certified documents on paper
  Signed and stamped in color by the appropriate institution or an official party, e.g. the magistrate. The documents must be sent by post to the University of Iceland, Student Registration, Saemundargata 4, 102 Reykjavík, Iceland. It is also possible to hand them to the Service Desk in the University Centre which is in the same building as Student Registration.
• Direct online verification database or electronic validation portal 
  This applies f.ex. to governmental or institutional online verification portals.
  Applicants are required to provide information on the location of the portal and include any information (such as reference number) which is part of the verification process. Students are responsible for all fees associated with this process.
• Documents issued by a country's service portal 
  Third party service portals such as: Parchment, GradIntelligence, National Student Clearing House, Digitary and Open Certs. Access to the portal is sent to transcript@hi.is. Applicants are responsible for all fees associated with this process. Make sure that any reference numbers that is needed for the online verification is included in your email.

Applicants who are finishing or have finished an undergraduate programme at the University of Iceland after 1980 do not need to submit certified transcripts or diplomas from that study.
Photocopies or scanned transcripts are not valid documents.

Application documents should not be sent to any other address at the University of Iceland.
Please ensure that all requested supporting documents are submitted no later than two weeks after the application is submitted.  Applications will not be processed until hard copies have arrived.

On the online application form you should provide names, telephone numbers and the institutional and e-mail addresses of two referees.  Referees should write one letter of recommendation. Please ask your referees to send their letters of recommendation directly to the University of Iceland. Referee should be from faculty members or others who are familiar with your academic work and qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study. The letters should be written in English.
All letters of recommendation will be treated in confidence by the University of Iceland authorities.
The reference letter should be submitted either:
(a) electronically by e-mail (PDF file as attachment) to transcript@hi.is with graduate program in subject line and name of applicant.  Only accepted if sent directly by the referees.
(b) or by mail to. Only accepted if in sealed envelopes:
University of Iceland 
Student Registration—International Applications
Háskólatorgi
Saemundargötu 4 
IS-101 Reykjavík
ICELAND

All international applicants whose native language is not English, are required to provide proof of English proficiency in the form of TOEFL, IELTS (Academic) or Cambridge English (CAE or CPE) tests.
Exemptions can be made if you have completed at least one full year of full time higher education, taught in English, at an accredited higher education institution in an English speaking country (UK, USA, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada) 
Please find more information about English Language Proficiency Requirement here.

Ph.D. students at School of Engineering and Natural Sciences

• Students need to hand in project plan before the end of the first semester, in collaboration with their supervisor. Approved Project plan should be sent by email to project managers of graduate studies for documentation.

• Ph.D. students are required to hand in information about Ph.D. committee by email to project manager of Ph.D. studies.