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Regulation no. 153-2010

Regulation on restrictions on the admission of students to certain subjects at the University of Iceland, no. 153/2010

with subsequent amendments

(Last amended 12 August 2024)

Chapter I. Restrictions on the admission of students to subjects within the School of Social Sciences.

Article 1. Restrictions on the admission of students to subjects within [the Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics.]5

[...]3

[[I.]3 Admission of students to the first part of the MA in Career Counselling and Guidance.

The number of new students admitted to the MA in Career Counselling and Guidance is restricted to [40.]5

Students enrolling in the MA in Career Counselling and Guidance shall have first obtained a university degree, BA, B.Ed., BS or an equivalent qualification, with a first class grade.

Applicants who have obtained a qualification not in one of the following fields: psychology, education and the educational system, the relationship between individuals and society, or who have not completed at least 10 ECTS credits in quantitative methodology, may be required to complete one to three courses (a maximum of 30 ECTS credits) in the aforementioned fields.  If a student is required to complete additional courses, they will take place at the same time as the Master's programme. This is not counted as part of the Master's programme proper. A student may choose to use 10 elective credits within the MA programme for one such additional course.

If there are more applicants who meet the admission requirements than it is possible to admit, selection of students will be based on the following considerations:

  1. University grades.
  2. Employment experience.
  3. References from employers if the applicant has employment experience, or from university teaching staff.
  4. Personal statements about the reasoning behind the application.
  5. Interviews if considered necessary.
  6. Additionally, the distribution of applicants may be taken into consideration with regard to their first degree, so that the ratio of students is as even as possible in terms of the subjects they have studied for BA, B.Ed. or BS programmes.

[...]2

[An admissions committee, made up of three members of teaching staff from within the Faculty, shall address student applications and oversee selection.]3 Should the admissions committee not consider an applicant to have met the admission requirements, they shall reject the application. Further provisions regarding admission requirements may be found in the course catalogue and on the School of Social Sciences website.]1
1Amended with Article 1 of Regulation no. 153/2011.
2Amended with Article 1 of Regulation no. 1234/2013.
3Amended with Article 1 of Regulation no. 1096/2014.
4Amended with Article 1 of Regulation no. 444/2018.
5Amended with Article 1 of Regulation no. 1532/2021.

[Article 2. Restrictions on the admission of students to subjects within the Faculty of Social Work.

[The number of new students admitted to the MA in Social Work with Professional Recognition is restricted to [60.]3 [...]2 All students shall meet the admission requirements, cf. items 1 - 3 of paragraph 2, as judged by the admissions committee. Selection of students shall be based on those considerations outlined in items 1 and 3 of paragraph 2.

Students enrolling in the MA in Social Work with Professional Recognition shall meet the following requirements:

  1. Have completed the BA in Social Work from the University of Iceland with a first class grade (7.25).
  2. The programme includes internships which involve working with children and for this reason, applicants are required to submit a criminal record, cf. paragraph 3, Article 6 of the Preschool Act no. 90/2008; paragraph 3, Article 11 of the Compulsory School Act no. 91/2008; paragraph 4, Article 8 of the Upper Secondary School Act no. 92/2008; paragraph 3, Article 10 of the Youth Act no. 70/2007 and Article 36 of the Child Protection Act no. 80/2002.
  3. Able to demonstrate aptitude for the programme. Evaluations of aptitude shall be based on reference to the following:
    1. A personal statement about the reasoning behind the application.
    2. Employment experience, confirmed by an employer.
    3. A reference from the head of an institute in the field of social or health services, if applicable.
    4. Previous university grades.
    5. Other vocational training.
    6. Personal interviews when judged necessary by the admissions committee.

An admissions committee, made up of three representatives of the Faculty, shall address student applications and oversee selection in accordance with Article 2 of this Regulation. Should the admissions committee not consider an applicant to have met the admission requirements, cf. items 1 - 3 of paragraph 2, they shall reject the application. Further provisions regarding admission requirements may be found in the course catalogue and on the School of Social Sciences website.]1
1Amended with Article 2 of Regulation no. 153/2011.
2Amended with Article 2 of Regulation no. 1527/2023.
3Amended with Article 1 of Regulation no. 1527/2023.

[...]3
3Amended with Article 4 of Regulation no. 1234/2013.

[...]1
1Amended with Article 1 of Regulation no. 1162/2019.

[[Article 3.]1 [Restrictions on the admission of students to subjects within the Faculty of Political Science]2

[The number of new students admitted to the BA in Journalism is restricted to 20. 

If there are more applicants who meet the admission requirements than it is possible to admit, selection of students will be based on the following considerations:

1. Grades in matriculation examination.
2. Grades in Icelandic.
3. Written statement of the student.
4. Interview.]2

[...]2

1Amended with Article 1 of Regulation no. 1162/2019.
2Amended with Article 3 of Regluation no. 1527/2023.

[...]1

1Amended with Article 3 of Regulation no. 1532/2021

[Chapter II.]1 Restrictions on the admission of students to subjects within the School of Health Sciences.

Article 4. Restrictions on the admission of students to subjects within the Faculty of Medicine.

The number of students in their first year of study in Medicine is restricted to [75.]5

The number of students in their first year of study in [Physical Therapy Sciences]4 is restricted to [35.]2

[...]7

The number of students admitted to the MS in Physical Therapy is restricted to [36.]6]4

[...]3

The following regulations apply to the implementation of restrictions on the number of undergraduate students in the Faculty of Medicine:

  1. Regulation no. 1042/2003 on the admission of new students to Medicine and [Physical Therapy Sciences,]4 with subsequent amendments.
  2. Regulation no. 540/2005 on the selection of students for programmes in Radiography and Biomedical Science.

[If there are more applicants who meet the admission requirements than it is possible to admit to the MS in Physical Therapy, selection of students will be based on the following considerations:

  1. Grades for the BS degree in Physical Therapy Sciences.
  2. Employment experience.
  3. Time and studies after completion of the BS in Physical Therapy Sciences.
  4. Publications in peer-reviewed journals.
  5. Statements about career plans.
  6. Letters of recommendation.
  7. Interviews if considered necessary.
  8. An entrance examination if considered necessary.

A special admissions committee of the Department of Physical Therapy shall oversee the selection of students.]4
1Amended with Article 4 of Regulation no. 1234/2013.
2Amended with Article 6 of Regulation no. 1234/2013.
3Amended with Article 1 of Regulation no. 801/2012.
4Amended with Article 2 of Regulation no. 1204/2016.
5Amended with Article 4 of Regulation no. 1527/2023.
6Amended with Article 1 of Regulation no. 604/2023.
7Amended with Article 1 of Reglulation no. 122/2023.

Article 5. Restrictions on the admission of students to subjects within the [Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery.]7

[The number of new students admitted to the MA in Midwifery with Professional Recognition is restricted to [14.]6]1 [The operation of the study programme is contingent on at least 8 applicants meeting the admission requirements.]9

[Admission of students to the MA in Midwifery with Professional Recognition shall be based on:

  1. Grades.
  2. Other education and/or employment experience.
  3. Interview performance.]1

[The midwifery study committee shall address student applications and determine selection.]1

[The number of students in the spring semester of their first year of study in the 240 ECTS BS programme in Nursing is restricted to [120.]4]3

[Competitive examinations are held in December each year. Students who pass all the competitive examinations are ranked by their weighted average grade, from the lowest to the highest, with the [120]4 highest scoring students being offered to continue their study in the spring semester.

If less than [120]4 students should pass all the competitive examinations, students who failed one of the examinations are ranked by their weighted average grade, from the lowest to the highest, with the highest scoring of those students being offered to continue their study in the spring semester, until the number of students specified by the enrolment restriction has been attained.]2

[The number of new students admitted to the [240 ECTS]5 BS programme in Nursing for Non-Nursing Graduates is restricted to [11.]9 [...]9

If more than [22]4 applicants meet the admission requirements, selection of students will be based on the following considerations:

  1. Performance in previous university studies.
  2. Composition of prior university programmes, other education and/or employment experience.
  3. Interview performance, if conducted.

A special admissions committee, made up of three representatives of the [Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery,]8 shall address student applications and oversee selection.]3

[A maximum of [15]9 new students may be admitted to the MS in Psychiatric Nursing. [The operation of the study programme is contingent on at least 12 applicants meeting the admission requirements.]9

Admission to the MS in Psychiatric Nursing is based on the following considerations:

  1. recognised graduate studies and continuing education,
  2. employment experience,
  3. cover letter,
  4. grade at undergraduate level,
  5. reference from employer,
  6. gender balance in the subject.

The board of study for Psychiatric Nursing shall process applications and select students for admission. 

A maximum of [17]9 new students may be admitted to the postgraduate diploma specialisation in operational nursing and [15]9 to the specialisation in anaesthetic nursing.[The operation of the postgraduate diploma specialisations in operational nursing and anaesthetic nursing is contingent on at least 10 applicants meeting the admission requirements in each specialisation.]9

The study committees for each specialisation shall evaluate the quality of applications, based on admission requirements, and interview applicants that meet requirements. If the number of applicants that meet admission requirements is higher than the number of places on the programme, places will be offered to the applicants who have ranked highest in the evaluation. If an applicant turns down a place, it will be offered to the next highest-ranking applicant.

Admission to the postgraduate diploma specialisation in anaesthetic nursing is based on the following considerations:

  1. Grade for BS in Nursing or equivalent qualification. The minimum average grade is 6.5. Applicants will be ranked by grade.
  2. Icelandic nursing license.
  3. At least one year's experience working as a nurse.
  4. Other education and/or employment experience that has helped prepare the applicant for the specialisation. Applicants with experience working in an ICU will be ranked highest, followed by those with experience working in emergency wards and cardiology departments.
  5. Applicants should submit a personal statement of 200-300 words explaining why they applied to the specialisation, their areas of interest and academic goals.
  6. Good English proficiency level.
  7. Performance at interview.
  8. Two references.

Admission to the postgraduate diploma specialisation in operational nursing is based on the following considerations:

  1. Grade for BS in Nursing or equivalent qualification. The minimum average grade is 6.5. Applicants will be ranked by grade.
  2. Icelandic nursing license.
  3. Other education and/or employment experience that has helped prepare the applicant for the specialisation. Students should ideally have experience of working in an operating theatre.
  4. Applicants should submit a personal statement of 200-300 words explaining why they applied to the specialisation, their areas of interest and academic goals.
  5. Good English proficiency level.
  6. Performance at interview.
  7. Two references.]6

1Amended with Article 3 of Regulation no. 1193/2018.
2Amended with Article 1 of Regulation no. 201/2019.
3Amended with Article 1 of Regulation no. 1162/2019.
4Amended with Article 3 of Regulation no. 1299/2020.
5Amended with Article 4 of Regulation no. 1532/2021.
6Amended with Article 1 of Regulation no. 113/2022.
7Amended with Article 1 of Regulation no. 518/2022.
8Amended with Article 2 of Regulation no. 518/2022.
9Amended with Articles 5–12 of Regulation no. 1527/2023.

Article 6. Restrictions on the admission of students to subjects within the Faculty of Psychology.

[The number of new students in the clinical psychology specialisation in the MS in Applied Psychology, with professional recognition in accordance with Act no. 40/1976, is restricted to 20.

The number of new students in other specialisations in the MS in Applied Psychology is restricted to 15.

If the number of qualified applicants to the MS in Applied Psychology is greater than it is possible to admit, selection of students will be based on the following considerations:

  1. A collocation of course grades and/or main grade for the qualification in psychology.
  2. Interviews.
  3. Further study completed by the applicant.
  4. Publications in peer-reviewed journals.
  5. Employment experience.
  6. Statements about career plans.
  7. Letters of recommendation.

A special admissions committee of the Faculty of Psychology shall oversee the selection of students.]1
1Amended with Article 4 of Regulation no. 1256/2017.

Article 7. Restrictions on the admission of students to subjects within the Faculty of Odontology.

[The number of students in the spring semester of their first year in odontolgoy is restricted to 10 in the academic year 2022–2023. Effective from the academic year 2023–2024, 40 students will be admitted to the odontology programme in the autumn semester of the first year, based on the results of an entrance examination. Of these 40 students, 8 will be permitted to continue to the spring semester of the first year, based on the results of competitive examinations held at the end of the autumn semester.]3

The number of students in the spring semester of their first year in the BS in Dental Technology is restricted to [5.]2

[Selection of students is subject to the Regulation on the selection of students for programmes in odontology and dental technology within the University of Iceland Faculty of Odontology.]1
1Amended with Article 3 of Regulation no. 153/2011.
2Amended with Article 5 of Regulation no. 1532/2021.
3Amended with Article 5 of Regulation no. 122/2023.

Article 8. Restrictions on the admission of students to subjects within the Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition.

[...]1

Selection of students is subject to the Regulation on the selection of students for programmes in nutrition within the University of Iceland Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition.

[The number of new students in the MS in Clinical Nutrition is restricted to [4]3. If the number of qualified applicants is greater than it is possible to admit, selection of students will be based on the following considerations:

  1. University grades.
  2. Employment experience.
  3. A personal statement about the reasoning behind the application.
  4. References from employers if the applicant has employment experience, or from university teaching staff.
  5. Personal interviews when considered necessary.

A special admissions committee of the Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition shall oversee the selection of students.]2
1Amended with Article 4 of Regulation no. 1204/2016.
2Amended with Article 5 of Regulation no. 1256/2017.
3Amended with Article 6 of Regulation no. 1532/2021.

[Article 8. a. Restrictions on the admission of students to subjects within the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The number of students in their first year of study in the MS in Clinical Pharmacy is restricted to [4.]2 If there are more applicants who meet the admission requirements than it is possible to admit, selection of students will be based on the following considerations:

  1. A collocation of course grades and/or main grade for the MS degree in Pharmacy.
  2. Further study after completion of a BS in Pharmacy.
  3. Publications in peer-reviewed journals.
  4. Letters of recommendation.
  5. Interviews if considered necessary.
  6. An entrance examination if considered necessary.

A special admissions committee of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences shall oversee the selection of students.]1
1Amended with Article 4 of Regulation no. 50/2016.
2Amended with Article 3 of Regulation no. 122/2023.

[Chapter III.]1 Restrictions on the admission of students to interdisciplinary programmes.

Article 9. Restrictions on the admission of students to the interdisciplinary programme in Speech Pathology.

The number of new students admitted to the Master's programme in Speech Pathology is restricted to [18.]2 Students are admitted to the Master's programme every other year. If there are more applicants who meet the admission requirements, cf. Regulation no. 972/2009 on the Master's programme in Speech Pathology at the University of Iceland, than it is possible to admit, selection of students will be based on the following considerations:

  1. Performance in courses required in accordance with item b of paragraph 1, Article 7 of Regulation no. 972/2009 on the Master's programme in Speech Pathology at the University of Iceland.
  2. Performance in previous university programmes.
  3. Employment experience, extracurricular studies or research which supports the application as judged by the board of study.
  4. Interviews if considered necessary.

1Amended with Article 4 of Regulation no. 1234/2013.
2Amended with Article 8 of Regulation no. 714/2024.

[9. gr. a. Restrictions on the admission of students to the interdisciplinary programmes in Applied Behavior Analysis.

The number of new students admitted to the Master's programme or the postgraduate diploma in Applied Behavior Analysis is restricted to a total of 20, given that all applicants  meet the admission requirements. All students shall meet the admission requirements, cf. items 1 - 3 of paragraph 2, as judged by the board of study or the admissions committee. Selection of students shall be based on those considerations outlined in items 1 and 3 of paragraph 2.

Students enrolling in the programmes in Applied Behavior Analysis shall meet the following requirements:

  1. Have completed a Bachelor's degree that is suitable for postgraduate study in Applied Behavior Analysis.
  2. The programmes include internships which involve working with children and for this reason, applicants are required to submit a criminal record, cf. paragraph 3, Article 6 of the Preschool Act no. 90/2008; paragraph 3, Article 11 of the Compulsory School Act no. 91/2008; paragraph 4, Article 8 of the Upper Secondary School Act no. 92/2008; paragraph 3, Article 10 of the Youth Act no. 70/2007 and Article 36 of the Child Protection Act no. 80/2002.
  3. Able to demonstrate aptitude for the respective programme. Evaluations of aptitude shall be based on reference to the following:
    1. A personal statement about the reasoning behind the application.
    2. A reference from the head of an institute in the field of education, social or health services, if applicable.
    3. Previous university grades.
    4. Experience in research and writing.
    5. Other education.
    6. Personal interviews when considered necessary.
    7. Employment experience, confirmed by an employer.

The board of study or an admissions committee, apponted by the board, shall address student applications and oversee selection in accordance with Article 2 of this Regulation. Should the board or the admissions committee not consider an applicant to have met the admission requirements, cf. items 1 - 3 of paragraph 2, they shall reject the application. Further provisions regarding admission requirements may be found in the course catalogue and on the website of the programmes.]1
2Amended with Article 2 of Regulation no. 53/2020.

[Chapter IV. Restrictions on the admission of students to subjects at the School of Humanities.

[Article 9. b.]2 Restrictions on the admission of students to subjects within the Faculty of Icelandic and Comparative Cultural Studies.

[The number of new students admitted to the Master's programme in Creative Writing is restricted to [15.]4

Students commencing the MA programme in Creative Writing must have completed a Bachelor's degree with a first class grade and at least a 10 ECTS final thesis. Applicants without a background in literature, such as a BA degree in Comparative Literature, Icelandic, Creative Writing or other literary studies, must, in addition to the 120 ECTS at the Master's level, complete the course ÍSL111G Theory of Literature (or ABF104G Literary Methods & Concepts), one course in literary history and another one in literature at the BA level (30 ECTS in total). Applicants shall submit a portfolio of their own original writing. Eligible students will be selected for the programme on the strength of their work. Applicants may for instance submit short stories, chapters from a novel for children or adults, narratives, poems, excerpts from a film or TV manuscript, a one-act play, a literary essay – a maximum of 25 pages total. Applicants must also submit a short personal statement about their interests and objectives in relation to the programme (one page; optionally artistic).

If there are more applicants who meet the admission requirements than it is possible to admit, students will be selected by a three-member admissions committee made up of the programme coordinator and two authors. When appointing the committee, care must be taken to ensure that the sex ratio is as even as possible. The committee shall look for applicants who:

  1. are imaginative and original in their thinking,
  2. have a strong command of the Icelandic language and can employ it in a creative manner,
  3. have a sense for register and style,
  4. can create credible characters,
  5. have a sense for form and can invest it with an appropriate meaning,
  6. are able to present a text so that it is easily readable and effective,
  7. are well read in Icelandic and international literature,
  8. have a passion for creative writing.]1

1Amended with Article 1 of Regulation no. 376/2019.
2Amended with Article 2 of Regulation no. 53/2020.
3Amended with Article 5 of Regulation no. 1299/2020.
4Amended with Article 13 of Regulation no. 1527/2023.

Article 10. Entry into force.

This Regulation, passed by the University Council of the University of Iceland, based on recommendations of the University Schools and Faculties, is adopted in accordance with the authority of paragraphs 3 and 4, Article 18 of the Act on Public Higher Education Institutions no. 85/2008. The Regulation shall enter into force 1 July 2010. At the same time, Regulation no. 318/2009 on restrictions on the admission of students to certain subjects at the University of Iceland for the academic year 2009–2010 is repealed.
  
 

University of Iceland, 10 February 2010.