Regulation on admission requirements for undergraduate study at the University of Iceland, no. 331/2022.
Table of contents
SECTION I
Article 1. General Provisions.
Article 2. Information on admission requirements
SECTION II
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR FACULTIES IN THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Article 3. Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics
Article 4. Faculty of Social Work
Article 5. Faculty of Economics
Article 6. Faculty of Law
Article 7. Faculty of Political Science
Article 8. Faculty of Business Administration
SECTION III
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR FACULTIES IN THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Article 9. Faculty of Nursing
Article 10. Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Article 11. Faculty of Medicine
Article 12. Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition
Article 13. Faculty of Psychology
Article 14. Faculty of Odontology
SECTION IV
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR FACULTIES IN THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES
Article 15. Faculty of Languages and Cultures
Article 16. Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies
Article 17. Faculty of Icelandic and Comparative Cultural Studies
Article 18. Faculty of History and Philosophy
SECTION V
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR FACULTIES IN THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Article 19. Faculty of Subject Teacher Education
Article 20. Faculty of Health Promotion, Sports and Leisure Studies
Article 21. Faculty of Education and Pedagogy
Article 22. Faculty of Education and Diversity
SECTION VI
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR FACULTIES IN THE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND NATURAL SCIENCES
Article 23. Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science
Article 24. Faculty of Earth Sciences
Article 25. Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences
Article 26. Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Article 27. Faculty of Physical Sciences
Article 28. Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering
SECTION VII
ESTABLISHMENT AND ENTRY INTO FORCE
Article 29. Entry into force
SECTION I
Article 1. General provisions
Students enrolling in an undergraduate programme for their first degree from the University of Iceland must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination, or other qualification at level 3 in accordance with the Icelandic National Curriculum Guide for Upper Secondary Schools, or an equivalent qualification from a school abroad. Faculties may set additional admission requirements, as outlined in further detail in Articles 3–29 of this Regulation.
Those who have completed one year of study (60 ECTS) at a recognised university or recognised higher education institution can be considered to have met the general admission requirements for undergraduate study, in accordance with paragraph 1, regardless of whether they have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination or an equivalent qualification from a school abroad. Further details on the admission of these applicants can be found in Articles 3–29 of this Regulation.
Exemptions from the requirement for a matriculation examination may be granted in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation for the University of Iceland, as further determined by the University Council.
Specific faculty rules apply to admission requirements for Master's and doctoral programmes; these are established by the University Council and published in the course catalogue and on the faculty websites.
Article 2. Information on admission requirements
Information on admission requirements for each faculty shall be presented in the course catalogue, on the University website and in introductory material for new students. It must be clearly stated that admission requirements can differ between faculties and programmes; therefore, enrolment in one faculty or programme does not automatically bestow the right to enrol in another.
Information on admission requirements must also include guidance on further preparation recommended for specific programmes, with reference to the number of credits in certain subjects at the upper secondary school level, or other considerations.
In this Regulation, the word credit refers to secondary school credits as defined in the Icelandic National Curriculum Guide for Upper Secondary Schools 2011. University credits are referred to as ECTS.
SECTION II
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR FACULTIES IN THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Article 3. Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics
To enrol in a sociology programme a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination or an equivalent qualification from a school abroad. Other level 3 qualifications shall be considered equivalent to a matriculation examination if the applicant has completed at least 170 credits, including 25 credits in Icelandic and 25 credits in English (10 of which must be at level 3 in each subject) and 10 credits in mathematics (at a minimum of level 2). Completing the preliminary studies programme at Keilir, the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University, or the university gateway programme at Bifröst University (including the courses English III, Icelandic IV and Mathematics V) is considered equivalent to a matriculation examination and satisfies admission requirements for the BA programme in sociology.
Ideally, applicants should have completed at least 10 credits in mathematics and 15 credits in English.
To enrol in the anthropology or folkloristics programmes a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination or an equivalent qualification from a school abroad. A different level 3 qualification also satisfies admission requirements for the BA programmes in anthropology or folkloristics, as long as the applicant has completed 20 credits in Icelandic and 20 credits in English (including 10 credits at level 3 in each subject), 5 credits in mathematics (at a minimum of level 2) and 5 credits in science or social studies. Completing the preliminary studies programme at Keilir, the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University, or the university gateway programme at Bifröst University (including the courses English III, Icelandic IV and Mathematics V) is considered equivalent to a matriculation examination and satisfies admission requirements for the BA programmes in anthropology or folkloristics.
Recommended preparation depends on the objectives of selected programme. Further information may be found in the course catalogue and introductory material for new students.
Article 4. Faculty of Social Work
To enrol at the Faculty of Social Work a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination or an equivalent qualification from a school abroad. Other level 3 qualifications shall be considered equivalent to a matriculation examination if the applicant has completed 20 credits in Icelandic and 20 credits in English (including 10 credits at level 3 in each subject), 5 credits in mathematics (at a minimum of level 2) and 5 credits in science or social studies. Completing the preliminary studies programme at Keilir, the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University, or the university gateway programme at Bifröst University (including the courses English III, Icelandic IV and Mathematics V) is considered equivalent to a matriculation examination and satisfies admission requirements for BA programmes at the Faculty, as long as the applicant's programme was designed for those aiming at further study in the humanities or social sciences.
Recommended preparation depends on the objectives of selected programme. Further information may be found in the course catalogue and introductory material for new students.
Article 5. Faculty of Economics
To enrol in a BS or BA programme at the Faculty of Economics a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination from an academic programme or an equivalent qualification as judged by the Faculty. Completing a preliminary studies programme from Reykjavík University or Keilir satisfies admission requirements at the Faculty of Economics, as long as the applicant's programme was designed for those aiming at further study in economics. Business programme plus additional studies toward matriculation examination, in accordance with the National Curriculum Guide for Upper Secondary Schools, is considered equivalent to a matriculation examination from an academic programme and satisfies admission requirements for BS and BA programmes at the Faculty.
Article 6. Faculty of Law
To enrol in a BA programme at the Faculty of Law a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination or an equivalent qualification from a school abroad. A different level 3 qualification also satisfies admission requirements for a BA programme, as long as the applicant has completed 20 credits in Icelandic and 20 credits in English (including 10 credits at level 3 in each subject), 5 credits in mathematics (at a minimum of level 2) and 5 credits in science or social studies. Completing the preliminary studies programme at Keilir, the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University, or the university gateway programme at Bifröst University (including the courses English III, Icelandic IV and Mathematics V) also satisfies admission requirements for a BA programme at the Faculty.
Ideally, applicants should have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination from an academic programme or equivalent, with emphasis on proficiency in the Icelandic language. It is also recommended that applicants have acquired some knowledge of Danish, Norwegian or Swedish.
Article 7. Faculty of Political Science
To enrol at the Faculty of Political Science a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination or an equivalent qualification. Other level 3 qualifications shall be considered equivalent to a matriculation examination if the applicant has completed 20 credits in Icelandic and 20 credits in English (including 10 credits at level 3 in each subject), 5 credits in mathematics (at a minimum of level 2) and 5 credits in science or social studies. Completing the preliminary studies programme at Keilir, the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University, or the university gateway programme at Bifröst University (including the courses English III, Icelandic IV and Mathematics V) is considered equivalent to a matriculation examination and satisfies admission requirements for BA programmes at the Faculty.
Ideally, applicants should have completed a matriculation examination from an academic programme or equivalent, with emphasis on proficiency in the Icelandic language.
Article 8. Faculty of Business Administration
To enrol in a BS programme at the Faculty of Business Administration, an applicant must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination or another level 3 qualification with at least 25 credits (15 old secondary school credits in accordance with the Icelandic National Curriculum Guide for Upper Secondary Schools from 1999 or earlier) in English and Icelandic (including at least 10 credits at level 3 in each subject) and at least 20 credits (12 old secondary school credits) in mathematics (including at least 5 credits at level 3).
Admission requirements at the Faculty of Business Administration can also be satisfied by completing one of the following three preliminary studies programmes:
- business track of the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University;
- business and economics track of the preliminary studies programme at Keilir;
- university gateway programme at Bifröst University, including the courses English III, Icelandic IV and Mathematics V.
The provisions of this Article will enter into force for admission of undergraduate students to the Faculty of Business Administration for the academic year 2025–2026. Up to that point, the older Regulation no. 319/2009 will apply to undergraduate admissions.
SECTION III
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR FACULTIES IN THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Article 9. [Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery]1
To enrol at the [Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery]1 a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination or an equivalent qualification from a school abroad. Completing the engineering and science track of the preliminary studies programme at Keilir satisfies admission requirements for the [Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery.]1 Students who have completed preliminary studies for universities other than the University of Iceland may apply for an exemption to these admission requirements. If the exemption is granted, those applicants are considered equal to those who satisfy formal requirements when it comes to student selection, see Regulation no. 24/2015.
Applicants should ideally have reached qualification level 3 in Icelandic, English and mathematics, in accordance with the Icelandic National Curriculum Guide for Upper Secondary Schools. It is also recommended that they have completed 10 credits at level 3 in chemistry and/or mathematics and 5 credits at level 3 in biology.
Students who have completed nursing qualifications at universities abroad and have a nursing license in their home country may apply for an exemption from competitive exams at the [Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery.]1 The director of the Division of Academic Affairs shall determine whether to grant an exemption, having received a statement from the Faculty, see also Article 47 of the Regulation for the University of Iceland no. 569/2009 on admission of students. Requests for exemptions are evaluated on the basis of the applicant's previous study and a statement from the Directorate of Health on the applicant's fitness to receive an Icelandic nursing license, i.e. the courses or clinical training that the applicant requires in order to receive an Icelandic nursing license.
[To enrol in the BS in nursing for non-nursing graduates (second degree nursing programme), an applicant must have completed a Bachelor's degree with a minimum grade of 6.5.]2
1Amended by Article 1 of Regulation no. 512/2022.
2Amended by Article 1 of Regulation no. 1528/2023.
Article 10. Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
To enrol at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination from an academic programme or an equivalent qualification from a school abroad. Completing the engineering and physical sciences track of the preliminary studies programme at Keilir or the engineering and technology track of the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University satisfies admission requirements at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Applicants should ideally have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination from a natural sciences programme, with an emphasis on chemistry and mathematics. It is also recommended that students have taken course units in biology and physics. Applicants who have taken a different academic programme (e.g. social sciences or foreign languages) are advised to take additional course units that provide a comparable foundation in chemistry and mathematics, as well as physics and biology.
Article 11. Faculty of Medicine
To enrol at the Faculty of Medicine a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination or an equivalent qualification from a school abroad. Students who have completed the engineering and technology track of the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University or the engineering and physical sciences track of the preliminary studies programme at Keilir satisfy admission requirements for the Faculty.
Students are admitted to study medicine or physical therapy on the basis of an entrance examination in accordance with relevant further regulation. The entrance examination is based in part on upper secondary school course material, but also tests general knowledge, ethics and logical thinking.
Article 12. Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition
To enrol in the food science programme or the nutrition programme at the Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination or an equivalent qualification. Other level 3 qualifications shall be considered equivalent to a matriculation examination if the applicant has completed 20 credits in Icelandic and 20 credits in English (including 10 credits at level 3 in each subject), 5 credits in mathematics (at a minimum of level 2) and 5 credits in science at level 3. Students who have completed the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University satisfy admission requirements at the Faculty. Completing the engineering and physical sciences track of the preliminary studies programme at Keilir is considered equivalent to a matriculation examination.
Ideally, applicants should have a matriculation examination from a natural sciences programme.
Exemptions from the requirement for a matriculation examination may be granted in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation for the University of Iceland, as further determined by the University Council.
Article 13. Faculty of Psychology
To enrol at the Faculty of Psychology a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination from an academic programme or an equivalent qualification abroad. Completing the preliminary studies programme at Keilir, the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University, or the university gateway programme at Bifröst University (including the courses English III, Icelandic IV and Mathematics V) is considered equivalent to a matriculation examination and satisfies admission requirements for BS programmes at the Faculty.
Applicants should ideally have reached qualification level 3 in Icelandic, English and mathematics.
The provisions of this Article will enter into force for admission of undergraduate students to the Faculty of Psychology for the academic year 2025–2026. Up to that point, the older Regulation no. 319/2009 will apply to undergraduate admissions at the University of Iceland.
Article 14. Faculty of Odontology
To enrol in odontology at the Faculty of Odontology a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination from an academic programme or an equivalent qualification from a school abroad. Students who have completed the engineering and technology track of the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University or the engineering and physical sciences track of the preliminary studies programme at Keilir satisfy admission requirements for the Faculty.
To enrol in dental technology at the Faculty a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination or an equivalent qualification from a school abroad. Completing the preliminary studies programme at Keilir is considered equivalent to a matriculation examination.
Applicants should ideally have a strong foundation in biology, physics and chemistry.
SECTION IV
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR FACULTIES IN THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES
Article 15. Faculty of Languages and Cultures
To enrol at the Faculty of Languages and Cultures a student must have completed a matriculation examination from an Icelandic upper secondary school or an equivalent qualification from a school abroad. Other level 3 qualifications shall be considered equivalent to a matriculation examination if the applicant has completed 20 credits in Icelandic and 20 credits in English (including 10 credits at level 3 in each subject), 5 credits in mathematics (at a minimum of level 2) and 5 credits in science or social studies. Completing the preliminary studies programme at Keilir, the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University, or the university gateway programme at Bifröst University (including the courses English III, Icelandic IV and Mathematics V) is considered equivalent to a matriculation examination and satisfies admission requirements for undergraduate programmes at the Faculty.
Applicants with qualifications completed abroad whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting a TOEFL certificate (with a minimum grade of 93 for the BA in English, or 79 for other subjects) or an IELTS certificate (with a minimum grade of 7 for the BA in English, or 6.5 for other subjects).
Recommended preparation depends on the objectives of selected programme. Further information may be found in the course catalogue and introductory material for new students.
Article 16. Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies
To enrol at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination or an equivalent qualification from a school abroad. Other level 3 qualifications shall be considered equivalent to a matriculation examination if the applicant has completed 20 credits in Icelandic and 20 credits in English (including 10 credits at level 3 in each subject), 5 credits in mathematics (at a minimum of level 2) and 5 credits in science or social studies. Completing the preliminary studies programme at Keilir, the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University, or the university gateway programme at Bifröst University (including the courses English III, Icelandic IV and Mathematics V) is considered equivalent to a matriculation examination and satisfies admission requirements for undergraduate programmes at the Faculty.
Applicants should ideally have a matriculation examination from an academic programme, with emphasis on Icelandic, Danish, English, history and the social sciences.
Article 17. Faculty of Icelandic and Comparative Cultural Studies
To enrol at the Faculty of Icelandic and Comparative Cultural Studies a student must have completed a matriculation examination from an Icelandic upper secondary school or an equivalent qualification from a school abroad. Other level 3 qualifications shall be considered equivalent to a matriculation examination if the applicant has completed 20 credits in Icelandic and 20 credits in English (including 10 credits at level 3 in each subject), 5 credits in mathematics (at a minimum of level 2) and 5 credits in science or social studies. Completing the preliminary studies programme at Keilir, the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University, or the university gateway programme at Bifröst University (including the courses English III, Icelandic IV and Mathematics V) is considered equivalent to a matriculation examination and satisfies admission requirements for undergraduate programmes at the Faculty.
To enrol in the BA in Icelandic as a second language a student must furthermore obtain a minimum grade on an assessment examination held at the beginning of each academic year. Applicants for the practical diploma programme in Icelandic as a second language whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in English with a TOEFL certificate (minimum grade 79) or an IELTS certificate (minimum grade 6.5).
Recommended preparation depends on the objectives of selected programme. Further information may be found in the course catalogue and introductory material for new students.
Article 18. [Faculty of History, Philosophy and Archaeology.]1
To enrol at the [Faculty of History, Philosophy and Archaeology]1 a student must have completed a matriculation examination from an Icelandic secondary school or an equivalent qualification from a school abroad. Other level 3 qualifications shall be considered equivalent to a matriculation examination if the applicant has completed 20 credits in Icelandic and 20 credits in English (including 10 credits at level 3 in each subject), 5 credits in mathematics (at a minimum of level 2) and 5 credits in science or social studies. Completing the preliminary studies programme at Keilir, the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University, or the university gateway programme at Bifröst University (including the courses English III, Icelandic IV and Mathematics V) is considered equivalent to a matriculation examination and satisfies admission requirements for undergraduate programmes at the Faculty.
Recommended preparation depends on the objectives of selected programme. Further information may be found in the course catalogue and introductory material for new students.
1Amended by Article 2 of Regulation no. 512/2022.
SECTION V
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR FACULTIES IN THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Article 19. Faculty of Subject Teacher Education
To enrol in a B.Ed. programme at the Faculty of Subject Teacher Education a student must have completed a matriculation examination from an Icelandic upper secondary school or an equivalent qualification from a school abroad. Completing the preliminary studies programme at Keilir, the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University, or the university gateway programme at Bifröst University (including the courses English III, Icelandic IV and Mathematics V) is considered equivalent to a matriculation examination and satisfies admission requirements for B.Ed. programmes at the Faculty.
Recommended preparation depends on the objectives of selected programme. Further information may be found in the course catalogue and introductory material for new students.
To enrol in the diploma programme in teaching studies for certified master tradesmen at the Faculty of Subject Teacher Education a student must have master's certification in a trade or professional certification from an upper secondary school.
To enrol in the B.Ed. programme in vocational education and training pedagogy at the Faculty of Subject Teacher Education a student must have qualified as a certified master in a trade or completed professional certification from an upper secondary school. A student must also have completed either (a) an Icelandic matriculation examination, or (b) the undergraduate diploma in teaching studies for certified master tradesmen from the Faculty of Teacher Education (from 1 July 2018 named the Faculty of Subject Teacher Education) and five years' employment experience in the industry.
Article 20. Faculty of Health Promotion, Sports and Leisure Studies
To enrol in a BA, B.Ed. or BS programme a student must have completed a matriculation examination from an Icelandic upper secondary school or an equivalent qualification from a school abroad. Completing the preliminary studies programme at Keilir, the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University, or the university gateway programme at Bifröst University (including the courses English III, Icelandic IV and Mathematics V) is considered equivalent to a matriculation examination and satisfies admission requirements for BA, B.Ed. and BS programmes at the Faculty.
Recommended preparation depends on the objectives of selected programme. Additionally, those who plan to pursue the BS in Sport and Health Sciences must reach the set standard for grade 10 in swimming in accordance with the main primary school curriculum.
Applicants who already have a qualification from the Physical Education Training College of Iceland may complete the BS in sport and health sciences by completing 60 specific ECTS.
Further information can be found in the course catalogue and introductory information for new students.
Article 21. Faculty of Education and Pedagogy
To enrol in a B.Ed. programme at the Faculty of Education and Pedagogy a student must have completed a matriculation examination from an Icelandic upper secondary school or an equivalent qualification from a school abroad. Completing the preliminary studies programme at Keilir, the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University, or the university gateway programme at Bifröst University (including the courses English III, Icelandic IV and Mathematics V) is considered equivalent to a matriculation examination and satisfies admission requirements for B.Ed. programmes at the Faculty.
Recommended preparation depends on the objectives of selected programme. Further information may be found in the course catalogue and introductory material for new students.
Article 22. Faculty of Education and Diversity
To enrol in a BA programme a student must have completed a matriculation examination from an Icelandic secondary school or an equivalent qualification from a school abroad. Completing the preliminary studies programme at Keilir, the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University, or the university gateway programme at Bifröst University (including the courses English III, Icelandic IV and Mathematics V) is considered equivalent to a matriculation examination and satisfies admission requirements for BA programmes at the Faculty.
Recommended preparation depends on the objectives of selected programme. Further information may be found in the course catalogue and introductory material for new students.
Applicants who already have a qualification from the Iceland College of Developmental Therapy may complete the BA in social education by completing 30 specific ECTS (see the course catalogue for further information).
SECTION VI
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR FACULTIES IN THE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND NATURAL SCIENCES
Article 23. Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science
To enrol at the Faculty a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination or an equivalent qualification; see Article 1. A level four qualification from the Technical College or the Akureyri Comprehensive College, completing the engineering and technology track or the computer studies track of the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University, or completing the engineering and physical sciences track of the preliminary studies programme at Keilir are considered equivalent to a matriculation examination. Other level 3 qualifications shall be considered equivalent to a matriculation examination if the applicant has completed 20 credits in Icelandic and 20 credits in English (including 10 credits at level 3 in each subject), 5 credits in mathematics (at a minimum of level 2) and 5 credits in science or social studies. Applicants must understand written and spoken Icelandic.
Recommended preparation for a programme in engineering: 40 credits in mathematics and 50 credits in natural sciences, including at least 10 credits in physics. Applicants will benefit from completing a course in computer programming.
Recommended preparation for a programme in computer science: 40 credits in mathematics.
Article 24. Faculty of Earth Sciences
To enrol at the Faculty a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination or an equivalent qualification; see Article 1. Completing the engineering and technology track of the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University or the engineering and physical sciences track of the preliminary studies programme at Keilir is considered equivalent to a matriculation examination. Applicants must understand written and spoken Icelandic.
Required preparation for a programme in geology: 30 credits in mathematics and 40 credits in natural sciences, including at least 10 credits in physics and 10 credits in chemistry.
Required preparation for a programme in geophysics: 30 credits in mathematics and 40 credits in natural sciences, including at least 10 credits in physics.
Recommended preparation for a programme in geophysics: 35 credits in mathematics.
Exemptions may be made from these credit requirements if there are grounds to do so.
Applicants who have already graduated with a BS or BA or other equivalent university degree from a recognised university in any subject meet undergraduate admission requirements at the Faculty.
Article 25. Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences
To enrol at the Faculty a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination or an equivalent qualification; see Article 1. Completing the engineering and technology track of the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University or the engineering and physical sciences track of the preliminary studies programme at Keilir is considered equivalent to a matriculation examination. Other level 3 qualifications shall be considered equivalent to a matriculation examination for applicants to the biology programme, if they have completed 20 credits in Icelandic and 20 credits in English (including 10 credits at level 3 in each subject), 5 credits in mathematics (at a minimum of level 2) and 5 credits in science or social studies. Applicants must understand written and spoken Icelandic.
Recommended preparation for a programme in biology: 30 credits in mathematics and 40 credits in natural sciences, including at least 10 credits in physics, 10 credits in chemistry and 10 credits in biology.
To enrol in the geography or tourism studies programmes a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination or an equivalent qualification. Completing the preliminary studies programme at Keilir, the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University, or the university gateway programme at Bifröst University (including the courses English III, Icelandic IV and Mathematics V) is considered equivalent to a matriculation examination and satisfies admission requirements for the programmes in geography or tourism studies. Other level 3 qualifications shall be considered equivalent to a matriculation examination for applicants to the geography or tourism studies programmes, if they have completed 20 credits in Icelandic and 20 credits in English (including 10 credits at level 3 in each subject), 5 credits in mathematics (at a minimum of level 2) and 5 credits in science or social studies.
Article 26. Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering
To enrol at the Faculty a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination or an equivalent qualification; see Article 1. A level four qualification from the Technical College or the Akureyri Comprehensive College, completing the engineering and technology track or the computer studies track of the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University, or completing the engineering and physical sciences track of the preliminary studies programme at Keilir are considered equivalent to a matriculation examination. Other level 3 qualifications shall be considered equivalent to a matriculation examination if the applicant has completed 20 credits in Icelandic and 20 credits in English (including 10 credits at level 3 in each subject), 5 credits in mathematics (at a minimum of level 2) and 5 credits in science or social studies. Applicants must understand written and spoken Icelandic.
Recommended preparation for a programme in engineering: 40 credits in mathematics and 50 credits in natural sciences, including at least 10 credits in physics.
Applicants to the programme in engineering technology who have studied at an upper secondary school may earn an exemption from the above requirements by passing an assessment. Industry experience is also taken into account when evaluating requests for exemptions. In all cases, exemptions must be consistent with the Regulation for the University of Iceland and further decisions of the University Council.
Applicants who meet the requirements for an exemption must:
- Complete a foundation course in mathematics in the autumn semester of the first year.
- Complete foundation courses to earn the right to continue their studies in the spring semester of the first year.
Article 27. Faculty of Physical Sciences
To enrol at the Faculty a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination or an equivalent qualification; see Article 1. Completing the engineering and technology track of the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University or the engineering and physical sciences track of the preliminary studies programme at Keilir is considered equivalent to a matriculation examination. Applicants must understand written and spoken Icelandic.
Required preparation for the programmes in physics, chemistry, applied mathematics, mathematics, mathematics and mathematical education, and engineering physics: 30 credits in mathematics and 40 credits in natural sciences, including at least 10 credits in physics, 10 credits in chemistry and 10 credits in biology.
Recommended preparation for programmes in physics and mathematics: 35 credits in mathematics.
Required preparation for a programme in biochemistry and molecular biology: 30 credits in mathematics and 40 credits in natural sciences.
Recommended preparation for a programme in biochemistry and molecular biology: 50 credits in natural sciences, including at least 10 credits in physics. It is recommended that applicants have a solid foundation in chemistry, genetics and other biology.
Exemptions may be made from these credit requirements if there are grounds to do so.
Applicants who have already graduated with a BS or BA or other equivalent university degree from a recognised university in any subject meet undergraduate admission requirements at the Faculty.
Article 28. Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering
To enrol at the Faculty a student must have completed an Icelandic matriculation examination or an equivalent qualification; see Article 1. A level four qualification from the Technical College or the Akureyri Comprehensive College, completing the engineering and technology track or the computer studies track of the preliminary studies programme at Reykjavík University, or completing the engineering and physical sciences track of the preliminary studies programme at Keilir are considered equivalent to a matriculation examination. Other level 3 qualifications shall be considered equivalent to a matriculation examination if the applicant has completed 20 credits in Icelandic and 20 credits in English (including 10 credits at level 3 in each subject), 5 credits in mathematics (at a minimum of level 2) and 5 credits in science or social studies. Applicants must understand written and spoken Icelandic.
Recommended preparation for a programme in engineering: 30 credits in mathematics and 40 credits in natural sciences, including at least 10 credits in physics.
SECTION VII
ESTABLISHMENT AND ENTRY INTO FORCE
Article 29. Entry into force
The University Council has established this Regulation based on the recommendations of the relevant Schools and with reference to paragraph 3, Article 18 of the Act on Public Higher Education Institutions no. 85/2008.
The Regulation enters into force immediately and will apply to student admissions as of the academic year 2022–2023. At the same time, the older Regulation on admission requirements for undergraduate study at the University of Iceland, no. 319/2009, with subsequent amendments, is repealed, except the provisions relating to admission requirements at the Faculty of Business Administration and the Faculty of Psychology, which are repealed after the academic year 2024–2025.
University of Iceland, 4 March 2022.