Program Overview

Program Overview

The Doctoral studies program in Earth Sciences at the University of Iceland is a three-year theoretical or experimental research-based postgraduate program. The program provides at least 180 ECTS and qualifies for the degree of philosophiae doctor, Ph.D.

Admission Requirements

• A MS degree from the Faculty of Earth Sciences, or equivalent, is required for admission.
• Entrance requirements are a research-based MS degree or a comparable qualification.

Programme Requirements

• The scope of the research project shall be 180 ECTS units.
• Doctoral studies are governed by special Faculty regulations.
• The doctoral programme is primarily based on the doctoral candidate's independent research, culminating in the dissertation.
• The Ph.D. committee may require the candidate to complete courses in addition to the research.
• Credits for courses are then added to the credits required for the dissertation.
• Ph.D. students with limited background in geology or geophysics will have to take undergraduate and/or graduate courses equivalent to at least 22.5 ECTS credits from the curriculum of the Faculty of Earth Sciences, to be selected in agreement with the supervisor.

Required Documents with Application

• CV
• Statement of purpose
• Research proposal
• Study plan
• Research project
• Reference 1, Name and email
• Reference 2, Name and email
• Supervisor/supervising teacher at the University of Iceland
• Certified copies of diplomas and transcripts
• Copy of grant or scholarship application and/or confirmation, if applicable
• Proof of English proficiency

Programme Structure

The programme does not offer specialisations.

• Year unspecified:
  • Fall: Final project (JVI501L)
  • Spring 1: Final project (JVI501L)
• Final project (JVI501L) is a mandatory course for the programme, with 0 ECTS credits.
• Language of instruction: Icelandic

Preparation for Application

Applicants are required to:

• Find a departmental coordinator/supervisor and are advised to contact the teachers in the field they are interested in to find a supervisor.
• Have an idea for a research project before applying.

Statement of Purpose

A short description of motivation for applying for the graduate program (ｽ- 1 page A4), including:

• Reasons for pursuing graduate work in the field of study
• Issues and problems to be addressed
• Professional goals
• Brief description of why the University of Iceland was chosen
• Name of supervisor

Project Plan and PhD Committee

• Students need to hand in a project plan before the end of the first semester, in collaboration with their supervisor.
• Before the end of the first semester, the administrative supervisor shall propose doctoral committee members to the respective faculty's postgraduate study committee for approval.

Programme Details

• Programme length: Three years
• Study mode: Face-to-face learning
• Language skills required
• Application status:
  • International students
  • Students with Icelandic or Nordic citizenship

Faculty and School

• The programme belongs to the Faculty of Earth Sciences, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland.