with subsequent amendments
| Authorised translation |
Article 1. Study programmes and objectives.
Within the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences (hereafter, 'the School'), it is possible to take Master's studies in those subjects specified in Chapter XIV of the Regulation for the University of Iceland, no. 569/2009.
The goal of a Master's programme is to provide a solid and comprehensive education, deepening the knowledge in a particular field of study which can be applied to further studies or in employment.
A Master's degree may be a final degree or preparation for doctoral studies. Each faculty shall set learning outcomes in those subjects pertaining to it. Upon completion of a Master's programme in Engineering, students may apply for the right to use the regulated professional title 'Engineer', cf. Act no. 8/1996.
The University of Iceland Graduate School shall oversee and follow up established standards and requirements for the quality of postgraduate studies at the University of Iceland, cf. Article 66 of the Regulation for the University of Iceland, no. 569/2009. Any information requested by the Graduate School must be supplied.
Article 2. Admission requirements.
To enrol in a Master's programme at a faculty of the School, a student must have completed a recognised undergraduate programme (BS degree) in the field of specialisation for which they apply, or a comparable recognised programme, with the minimum grade specified by the faculty in the course catalogue.
Faculties are permitted to stipulate prerequisite requirements, cf. Article 11 of this Regulation.
In the case of a joint Master's degree conferred by the University of Iceland and another university, the head of the Division of Academic Affairs must be consulted in preparing an agreement for the study programme.
Article 3. Faculty postgraduate study committees.
The faculty council of each faculty shall select and appoint a postgraduate study committee for the faculty. The committee shall comprise a minimum of three members of the academic staff. The postgraduate study committee shall handle matters relating to postgraduate study within the faculty in question. Its role is to oversee the quality of postgraduate programmes (cf. the Standards and requirements for the quality of Master's programmes at the University of Iceland), oversee the application process for postgraduate studies within the faculty, approve external examiners on behalf of the faculty council, and perform any other tasks the faculty may assign to it. The postgraduate study committee approves those nominated to serve on a student's Master's degree committee.
Article 4. Processing of applications.
Applications for admission to Master's programmes are submitted using the electronic application form provided by the University of Iceland Student Registration. The School Office sends an assessment of original materials and copies of applications and accompanying documents to the respective faculty postgraduate study committee.
The faculty postgraduate study committee assesses the application and whether the necessary facilities are available, approves or rejects the application on behalf of the faculty and stipulates any prerequisites. The postgraduate study committee sends its verdict to the head of faculty as well as the School Office.
Registration and payment of the registration fee are a precondition for commencing or continuing study.
Article 5. Administrative supervisor and academic supervisor.
Each Master's student shall from the beginning of their studies be assigned an administrative supervisor, who advises the student regarding the organisation of the programme, choice of courses, as well as any matters and regulations related to their studies. An administrative supervisor must always be a permanent member of academic staff at the respective faculty. Subject to approval by the head of faculty, a student may switch administrative supervisors, if circumstances so demand. The administrative supervisors is generally also the academic supervisor for the student's Master's thesis. The faculty may permit a student to have an external academic supervisor, provided that this individual meets the requirements for serving on a Master's degree committee.
Article 6. Study plan.
The Master's student must meet with the administrative supervisor at the beginning of the programme to devise a study plan regarding courses to be taken and the Master's thesis as far as possible.
A research plan shall be added to the study plan no later than by the end of the first semester of a Master's programme in cases where the project accounts for 90 credits, by the end of the second semester if the project accounts for 60 credits, and by the end of the third semester if the project accounts for 30 credits.
The faculty may stipulate more detailed regulations regarding the study plan and its content.
Article 7. Master's degree committee.
A Master’s degree committee must include at least two persons, one of which shall be the student’s administrative supervisor. Those serving on a Master's degree committee shall hold at least a Master's degree and possess knowledge in the field relevant to the Master's project. The head of faculty appoints the Master's degree committee, subject to the approval of the faculty postgraduate study committee. The role of the Master's degree committee is to supervise the Master's student, ensure the academic quality of the research work, and also that the study progress is in line with the study plan.
Article 8. External examiner.
The School dean shall appoint external examiners based on recommendations from the faculty postgraduate study committee. The external examiner, together with the Master's degree committee, assesses the Master's project, cf. Article 12 of this Regulation. External examiners shall have completed at least a Master's degree and be recognised in their academic field. If no suitable external examiner outside of the University of Iceland can be found in Iceland, who fulfils the aforementioned requirements, the School dean is authorised to appoint a member of the academic staff of the University to the position, based on recommendations from the faculty postgraduate study committee.
Article 9. Length of study and number of credits.
A Master's programme following a BS programme shall be equivalent to 120 credits, i.e. a minimum of two years of full-time study.
The size of the research project shall be as follows:
| Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science: 30 or 60 credits. | |
| Faculty of Earth Sciences: 60 credits. | |
| Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences: 30, 60, or 90 credits. | |
| Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering: 60 credits. | |
| Faculty of Physical Sciences: 60 or 90 credits. | |
| Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering: 30 or 60 credits. |
Deviation from these provisions is permitted in cases of interdisciplinary study programmes, for which special regulations regarding the size of the project are in force.
The maximum number of credits for reading courses overseen by a student's academic supervisor is 15.
The maximum length of time permitted for completing a Master's degree is six semesters from the time of enrolment. The Faculty may grant exemptions from these time limits, in exceptional circumstances.
Master's students shall take at least half their Master's programme credits at the University of Iceland.
Article 10. Course requirements.
Courses shall be at the postgraduate level of the University of Iceland (M and F courses) or of other recognised research universities.
All courses must conclude with an appropriate assessment in conformity with specifications in the study plan. The minimum grade for courses taken at the University of Iceland that shall be assessed as part of a Master's programme is 6.0. Courses taken at recognised universities other than the University of Iceland must be completed in conformity with the requirements of that university.
In general, undergraduate courses (courses marked G at the University of Iceland) cannot be assessed as part of a Master's programme. Interdisciplinary research may, however, lead to undergraduate courses in other [departments]1 being deemed a necessary part of the Master's programme. Generally, 8 credits of such necessary undergraduate coursework may count towards the Master's programme. However, it is permitted to take up to 12 credits of undergraduate courses in cases where the research project accounts for 30 credits.
1Amended by Article 1 of Regulation no. 447/2018.
Article 11. Prerequisites.
If a Master's student has changed their field of study with their choice of a Master's programme, important fundamentals acquired in undergraduate studies may be missing from the student's academic record. The faculty postgraduate study committee stipulates necessary prerequisites for an applicant to be admitted to a Master's programme. In such cases, the necessary prerequisites will be added to the coursework component of the programme. The Master's student is required to fulfil these requirements at the beginning of the programme. Prerequisites must be specified in the study plan.
Article 12. Assessment.
A Master's programme shall conclude with the submission of a thesis and the delivery of a public lecture on the project by the student, held at the University of Iceland. The Master's degree committee and external examiner assess the Master's project.
Master's theses that meet the requirements of the faculty shall be graded according to quality. In the Faculties of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science as well as Civil and Environmental Engineering, grades are awarded in whole and half numbers, from 6.0 to 10.0. In the Faculties of Earth Sciences, Life and Environmental Sciences, Electrical and Computer Engineering, as well as Physical Sciences, pass/fail grades are awarded.
Faculties may set more detailed rules on the implementation and mode of assessment.
Article 13. Submission and format of the Master's thesis.
The finished Master's thesis shall be submitted to the Master's degree committee and the external examiner at least two weeks before the examination and the student's concluding public lecture.
A Master's thesis shall conform to the School’s template for Master's theses. It must be clearly indicated that the project was completed at the University of Iceland. The supervisors, external examiner, school, faculty and, if applicable, research institute concerned, shall be identified, as shall any funds that financed the project.
Master's students shall comply with the working procedure and deadline for submitting an electronic copy of their Master's thesis, as stipulated by the School Office. Faculties may stipulate rules on submitting a printed copy.
Article 14. Academic title.
A Master's degree confers the right to the academic title magister [scientiarum,]1 and use of the abbreviation MS.
1Amended by Article 1 of Regulation no. 1192/2018.
Article 15. Entry into force.
This Regulation is established by the University Council in accordance with the authority of paragraph 3, Article 18 of the Act on Public Higher Education Institutions, no. 85/2008, cf. also Article 69 of the Regulation for the University of Iceland, no. 569/2009. This Regulation has been approved by the Board of the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, having received the opinion of the faculties concerned and the Graduate School, cf. Articles 66 and 69 of the Regulation for the University of Iceland, no. 569/2009. This Regulation enters into force immediately. At the same time, Regulation no. 286/2012, on Master's study at the University of Iceland School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, is repealed.
University of Iceland, 7 November 2017