PhD studies at the University of Iceland will equip you with the field expertise and research skills necessary for careers in academia, industry, government and other areas.

The country´s only comprehensive university, UI offers over 70 PhD programmes and the opportunity to study under the guidance of experienced researchers working in international networks.

The main component of our PhD programmes is the independent doctoral research project which culminates in a dissertation. Along the way, our students gain valuable skills such as research design and implementation, analysis of research findings, presentation of results, publication in international peer-viewed journals and teaching.

PhD studies at UI ordinally take 3-6 years assuming normal study progress and are normally preceded by a master´s degree.

The University of Iceland is accredited by the Minister of Education, Science and Culture to offer doctoral programmes in all its schools.

Doctoral studies at UI aim to provide PhD students with academic training and prepare them for positions in higher education, research institutes and other settings that require high levels of expertise and accountability.

The University strives to ensure that its academic programmes measure up to internationally recognised standards, and to that end uses a formal quality framework that covers all aspects of the University.

National regulations

• Regulation on doctoral studies in higher education institutions, no. 37/2007

University-wide standards and regulations

• Standards and requirements for the quality of doctoral programmes
• University of Iceland rules on graduate studies (ch. VI)
• Rules of procedure on the appointment of opponents for a doctoral thesis at the University of Iceland
• Rules of procedure on the digital submission and archiving of PhD theses at the University of Iceland
• Rules of procedure after one or both opponents reject the thesis manuscript as not ready for defence
• Rules of procedure after one or more members of the evaluation committee are opposed to awarding a doctorate following the doctoral defence
• Regulation on the University of Iceland Doctoral Grant Fund
• Rights and responsibilities of doctoral students and doctoral students receiving wages from UI

Regulations on doctoral studies within the Schools

• Regulation on doctoral study and doctoral degrees at the University of Iceland School of Social Sciences
• Regulation on doctoral study and doctoral degrees at the University of Iceland School of Health Sciences
• Regulation on doctoral study and doctoral degrees at the University of Iceland School of Humanities
• Regulation on doctoral study at the University of Iceland School of Education
• Regulation on doctoral study at the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences

Regulations on interdisciplinary graduate programmes

• Regulation on the University of Iceland Master's and doctoral programmes in environment and natural resources
• Regulation on the University of Iceland Master's and doctoral programmes in public health sciences

_{*Interdisciplinary programmes have the same deadline as the School where the student´s prospective PhD supervisor is based.}

Contact the Doctoral Studies Coordinator at the relevant school or staff at the Graduate School if you have further questions.