Language skills
Programme length
Full time studies for three academic years.
Study mode
Face-to-face learning
Application status
International students:
Students with Icelandic or Nordic citizenship:
Masters Degree in Public Health (MPH) or related disciplines.
The following or equivalent courses are a required preparation for entry:
LÝÐ202F The Scientific Process,
LÝÐ107F or LÝÐ003M Epidemiology
LÝÐ105F or LÝÐ004M Biostatistics I
LÝÐ301F Clinical Prediction Models.
In special cases, the Board of Study and the Committee for Doctoral Studies, can agree to accept and process an application before course requirements are fully met, and allow the applicant to complete selected courses during the first study semester.
International applicants for whom English is not their first language must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score as proof of English proficiency. Minimum scores accepted are 79 on the TOEFL internet-based test or a IELTS score of 6,5.
A 180 ECTS Ph.D thesis, a 3-6 ECTS course in research ethics, as well as the courses LÝÐ101F Public Health, Science, Politics, Prevention and LÝÐ104F Determinants of Health, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention are required for qualification.
The Ph.D thesis in Public Health Sciences includes at least three manuscripts, of which two have been published or accepted for publication in peer-reviewed journals at the time of thesis defence.
The following documents must accompany an application for this programme:
- CV
- Research proposal
- Reference 1, Name and email
- Reference 2, Name and email
- Supervisor/supervising teacher at the University of Iceland
- Certified copies of diplomas and transcripts
- Copy of grant or scholarship application and/or confirmation, if applicable
- Proof of English proficiency
Further information on supporting documents can be found here.
Please use the form below for your application and follow the instructions closely.
Programme structure
Check below to see how the programme is structured.
This programme does not offer specialisations.
- Year unspecified
- Fall
- Research Ethics
- Public Health: Science, Politics, Prevention
- Determinants of health, health promotion and disease prevention
- PhD Thesis in Public Health Sciences
- Spring 1
- Ethics of Science and Research
- PhD Thesis in Public Health Sciences
Year unspecified | Fall
Research Ethics (HSP073F)
Restricted elective course, conditions apply
3 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The intensive course is intended for PhD-students only. It is adapted to the needs of students from different fields of study and is taught in English as a three day seminar during the first week of classes in August. The course is a concise version of HSP806F Ethics of Science and Research (6 ECTS), which is taught in the spring semester. The objective is to train students in reasoning about ethical controversies relating to science and research in contemporary society. At the end of the course they will have the necessary tool-kit to navigate the ethical part of the troubled waters of applying for licences and references, getting published and securing funding. No prior knowledge of ethical theory and any particular science will be assumed in the course. The instruction takes the form of short lectures, discussions and group work on case studies. The idea is to create an academic community where students are actively engaged in a focused dialogue about different questions on research ethics.
Teaching period: First week of fall semester
Attn.: This course will be taught remotely (online)
Language of instruction: English
Distance learning
Prerequisites
Year unspecified | Fall
Public Health: Science, Politics, Prevention (LÝÐ101F)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The course provides an overview of definitions, history, aims, legislation, methods and ethical considerations in public health and public health sciences. The course lays emphasis on global public health as well as on the Icelandic health care system, its administration and funding in comparison with health care systems in other nations. An overview is provided on Icelandic and international databases on health and disease and possibilities for their utilization in research and policy making for health promotion. In addition, current public health issues at each time are emphasized.
Language of instruction: Icelandic
Face-to-face learning
Attendance required in class
Course taught first half of the semester
Year unspecified | Fall
Determinants of health, health promotion and disease prevention (LÝÐ104F)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The course provides an overview of the main determinants of health in a westernized society (such as Iceland) and preventive interventions at different levels of such societies. With main emphasis on planning, implementing and documentation of the effectiveness of interventions aiming at general health promotion and primary prevention, the course also covers examples of secondary and tertiary prevention. The students get training in planning their own preventive interventions.
Language of instruction: Icelandic
Face-to-face learning
Attendance required in class
Course taught second half of the semester
Year unspecified | Fall
PhD Thesis in Public Health Sciences (LÝÐ561L)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
0 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The Ph.D. thesis in public health sciences should count for a minimum of 180 credits.
Students refer to the rules of their supervisor´s faculty concerning submission and format of the doctoral thesis.
Language of instruction: Icelandic
Self-study
Part of the total project/thesis credits
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Ethics of Science and Research (HSP806F)
Restricted elective course, conditions apply
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The course is intended for postgraduate students only. It is adapted to the needs of students from different fields of study. The course is taught over a six-week period.
The course is taught over the first six weeks of spring semester on Fridays from 1:20 pm - 3:40 pm.
Description:
The topics of the course include: Professionalism and the scientist’s responsibilities. Demands for scientific objectivity and the ethics of research. Issues of equality and standards of good practice. Power and science. Conflicts of interest and misconduct in research. Science, academia and industry. Research ethics and ethical decision making.
Objectives:
In this course, the student gains knowledge about ethical issues in science and research and is trained in reasoning about ethical controversies relating to science and research in contemporary society.
The instruction takes the form of lectures and discussion. The course is viewed as an academic community where students are actively engaged in a focused dialogue about the topics. Each student (working as a member of a two-person team) gives a presentation according to a plan designed at the beginning of the course, and other students acquaint themselves with the topic as well for the purpose of participating in a teacher-led discussion.
Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Course taught first half of the semester
Year unspecified | Spring 1
PhD Thesis in Public Health Sciences (LÝÐ561L)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
0 ECTS, credits
Course Description
The Ph.D. thesis in public health sciences should count for a minimum of 180 credits.
Students refer to the rules of their supervisor´s faculty concerning submission and format of the doctoral thesis.
Language of instruction: Icelandic
Self-study
Part of the total project/thesis credits
Year unspecified
- Fall
- HSP073FResearch EthicsRestricted elective course3Restricted elective course, conditions apply3 ECTS, creditsCourse Description
The intensive course is intended for PhD-students only. It is adapted to the needs of students from different fields of study and is taught in English as a three day seminar during the first week of classes in August. The course is a concise version of HSP806F Ethics of Science and Research (6 ECTS), which is taught in the spring semester. The objective is to train students in reasoning about ethical controversies relating to science and research in contemporary society. At the end of the course they will have the necessary tool-kit to navigate the ethical part of the troubled waters of applying for licences and references, getting published and securing funding. No prior knowledge of ethical theory and any particular science will be assumed in the course. The instruction takes the form of short lectures, discussions and group work on case studies. The idea is to create an academic community where students are actively engaged in a focused dialogue about different questions on research ethics.
Teaching period: First week of fall semester
Attn.: This course will be taught remotely (online)
Distance learningPrerequisitesLÝÐ101FPublic Health: Science, Politics, PreventionMandatory (required) course6A mandatory (required) course for the programme6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe course provides an overview of definitions, history, aims, legislation, methods and ethical considerations in public health and public health sciences. The course lays emphasis on global public health as well as on the Icelandic health care system, its administration and funding in comparison with health care systems in other nations. An overview is provided on Icelandic and international databases on health and disease and possibilities for their utilization in research and policy making for health promotion. In addition, current public health issues at each time are emphasized.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesAttendance required in classCourse taught first half of the semesterLÝÐ104FDeterminants of health, health promotion and disease preventionMandatory (required) course6A mandatory (required) course for the programme6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe course provides an overview of the main determinants of health in a westernized society (such as Iceland) and preventive interventions at different levels of such societies. With main emphasis on planning, implementing and documentation of the effectiveness of interventions aiming at general health promotion and primary prevention, the course also covers examples of secondary and tertiary prevention. The students get training in planning their own preventive interventions.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesAttendance required in classCourse taught second half of the semesterLÝÐ561LPhD Thesis in Public Health SciencesMandatory (required) course0A mandatory (required) course for the programme0 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe Ph.D. thesis in public health sciences should count for a minimum of 180 credits.
Students refer to the rules of their supervisor´s faculty concerning submission and format of the doctoral thesis.
Self-studyPrerequisitesPart of the total project/thesis credits- Spring 2
HSP806FEthics of Science and ResearchRestricted elective course6Restricted elective course, conditions apply6 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe course is intended for postgraduate students only. It is adapted to the needs of students from different fields of study. The course is taught over a six-week period.
The course is taught over the first six weeks of spring semester on Fridays from 1:20 pm - 3:40 pm.
Description:
The topics of the course include: Professionalism and the scientist’s responsibilities. Demands for scientific objectivity and the ethics of research. Issues of equality and standards of good practice. Power and science. Conflicts of interest and misconduct in research. Science, academia and industry. Research ethics and ethical decision making.
Objectives:
In this course, the student gains knowledge about ethical issues in science and research and is trained in reasoning about ethical controversies relating to science and research in contemporary society.The instruction takes the form of lectures and discussion. The course is viewed as an academic community where students are actively engaged in a focused dialogue about the topics. Each student (working as a member of a two-person team) gives a presentation according to a plan designed at the beginning of the course, and other students acquaint themselves with the topic as well for the purpose of participating in a teacher-led discussion.
Face-to-face learningPrerequisitesCourse taught first half of the semesterLÝÐ561LPhD Thesis in Public Health SciencesMandatory (required) course0A mandatory (required) course for the programme0 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThe Ph.D. thesis in public health sciences should count for a minimum of 180 credits.
Students refer to the rules of their supervisor´s faculty concerning submission and format of the doctoral thesis.
Self-studyPrerequisitesPart of the total project/thesis credits
If you still have questions, feel free to contact us.
Centre of Public Health Science
Sturlugata 8
Weekdays 10-12 am.
PHD Coordinators
Dóra Ragnheiður Ólafsdóttir
Project manager
