The vocational diploma for people with developmental disabilities is a two-year programme.
The programme aims to prepare students for work, for example in schools, preschools, community centres and in settings where disabled people access services.
Students study alongside other UI students, taking the same courses, and the programme is therefore inclusive. The programme is tailored to meet the needs and interests of each individual student. After graduating, students will receive a certificate confirming that they have completed certain courses and training placements. Completing this diploma does not allow a student to apply for further study at the University of Iceland. Students do not earn ECTS credits.
Particular emphasis is placed on helping students access the general labour market and increasing their opportunities to engage with society.
The programme also includes a special focus on campaigns for disability rights and human rights.
Course topics include:
- Communication and cooperation
- Leisure studies
- Social education
- Vocational training
At the start of the programme:
- Students choose an area to specialise in – working in preschools, recreation and community work, or disability rights campaigning.
- Efforts are made to make the programme relevant to the student’s selected area of work through courses and training placements.
- The programme is tailored to meet the needs and interests of each individual student.
- The programme is based on the principles of universal education, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and UI strategy.
Teaching and support
Classes and assignments are, to a large extent, based on cooperation between all students. This means that students support one another through the programme. Project managers for the programme are also involved in supporting students as required.
UI cannot provide assistance with normal day-to-day activities, but students who require such assistance may attend classes with their user-controlled personal assistant or advocate.
Teaching is organised like any other teaching at UI. There are certain times when workloads are higher, around assignment deadlines and towards the end of the semester.
Timetables for each semester are issued just before the semester starts.
Students are expected to attend classes for around 10 hours a week, with additional time required for completing assignments. Students complete two training placements, each lasting 4-6 weeks. During a placement, attendance requirements are higher.
Timetables can be flexible in universities and changes may be made at short notice.
Who is the programme for?
There are a limited number of places available on the programme and admission is mainly based on the following:
- Interest in the programme and working in the relevant area
- Upper secondary school education and/or continuing education
- Work experience
Buildings and facilities
Teaching mostly takes place at the School of Education in Saga (as of autumn 2025) In the past, students have formed a friendly community and there has been a lot of interaction between the different subjects and a busy social side to the programme. There are good places to read and study available in Saga.
More information about the programme
The programme helps students prepare for work in the field of educational sciences, which includes work in preschools, recreation and community work, and work involving the empowerment, rights and interests, and social engagement of disabled people.
Particular emphasis is placed on helping students access the general labour market and giving them more opportunities to engage with society.
The programme also includes a special focus on campaigns for disability rights and human rights.