Non-standard programme types including Candidatus degrees and postgraduate diplomas. 

Candidatus Degrees 

Traces of the traditional Candidatus degree system remain in Iceland’s higher education landscape. Candidatus degrees are integrated first- and second-cycle programmes comprising 300–360 ECTS credits over five to six years. They are distinct from the Bologna-standard bachelor’s plus master’s pathway. 

Candidatus degrees continue in a small number of fields at the University of Iceland. A six-year Candidatus programme exists in dentistry. Two- to three-year Candidatus programmes (following a bachelor’s degree) are offered in psychology, midwifery, and medicine. Admission to Candidatus programmes requires the matriculation examination (stúdentspróf) or equivalent for the six-year track, or a completed bachelor’s degree for the post-bachelor’s track. 

The Candidatus degree provides access to third-cycle (doctoral) studies. A distinction is made in the Icelandic NQF between Candidatus/master’s degrees with a significant research component (ISQFHE level 2.2) and those based primarily on coursework (ISQFHE level 2.1). 

The overall trend is toward alignment with the Bologna BA+MA structure. However, in regulated professions such as medicine and dentistry, the integrated Candidatus model persists for practical and professional reasons. 

Postgraduate Diplomas 

Postgraduate diploma programmes exist in several professional fields. These typically require one year of postgraduate study (60 ECTS) following a completed bachelor’s degree. Fields include upper-secondary teacher education, social work, student counselling, and journalism and mass communication. 

Diplomas in social work and upper-secondary teacher education function as professional qualifications, conferring the right to practise in the respective field. These programmes are offered at the University of Iceland and the University of Akureyri. Admission requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline.