Recognition of qualification |
How to apply for a recognition? |
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The Icelandic ENIC/NARIC Information Center provides you with assessments of your non-Icelandic degree, diploma or certificates and offers information about international recognition of qualifications. The assessments are in a form of a brief statement explaining what your foreign qualification corresponds to in Iceland, that is which educational level and if possible, which field of study.
If your discipline falls under the regulated professions, you need to contact the competent authorities in charge of granting licenses in that field. |
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Recognition process
In the recognition process, use is made of official data on academic courses in the countries concerned and on information on recognition developed by other NARIC offices. The office bases its recognition procedures on international agreements to which Iceland is a signatory, chief among which are the Lisbon Convention and the Nordic Agreement.
In carrying out its recognition functions, the ENIC/NARIC office only uses official documents and information from other ENIC/NARIC offices. Applicants may request these materials if they wish to test the justification of recognition, in which case they are given a copy of the materials used in the course of recognition.
In carrying out its recognition functions, the ENIC/NARIC office only uses official documents and information from other ENIC/NARIC offices. Applicants may request these materials if they wish to test the justification of recognition, in which case they are given a copy of the materials used in the course of recognition.
In the case of formal recognition, the applicant submits a letter together with a certified copy of his examination certificate. The ENIC/NARIC office replies to the letter at the first opportunity with a formal letter.
The main purpose of the academic recognition of the Icelandic ENIC/NARIC office is to locate the qualification in question in the overall educational structure of the home country and to determine the comparable level in the Icelandic educational system. Some key questions in this regard are:
If the entrance requirements are comparable to the entrance requirements at Icelandic universities, and the nominal length and the rights to further university-level studies are similar, then the ENIC/NARIC office recommends that the foreign qualification should be considered comparable to a given Icelandic qualification.
The applicant may seek explanation or make comments on the outcome of the recognition process, if appropriate. It is pointed out that if information has to be sought, this may delay the production of the final reply regarding recognition.
The ENIC/NARIC office does not make binding decisions on recognition: it merely gives guidance, and appeals may not be lodged against the substance of this guidance. If a faculty or institution denies recognition, following the guidance of the ENIC/NARIC office, then appeal procedures are subject to the rules of the relevant body.
The services of the office are provided free of charge.
The main purpose of the academic recognition of the Icelandic ENIC/NARIC office is to locate the qualification in question in the overall educational structure of the home country and to determine the comparable level in the Icelandic educational system. Some key questions in this regard are:
- Is the institution in question accredited by the educational authorities in the home country?
- What are the entrance requirements?
- What is the nominal length of the study programme in question?
- Does the qualification give rights to further studies at university level?
- In the case of studies at master’s and doctoral level we may also look for the proportional weighting accorded to research and the candidate’s thesis.
If the entrance requirements are comparable to the entrance requirements at Icelandic universities, and the nominal length and the rights to further university-level studies are similar, then the ENIC/NARIC office recommends that the foreign qualification should be considered comparable to a given Icelandic qualification.
The applicant may seek explanation or make comments on the outcome of the recognition process, if appropriate. It is pointed out that if information has to be sought, this may delay the production of the final reply regarding recognition.
The ENIC/NARIC office does not make binding decisions on recognition: it merely gives guidance, and appeals may not be lodged against the substance of this guidance. If a faculty or institution denies recognition, following the guidance of the ENIC/NARIC office, then appeal procedures are subject to the rules of the relevant body.
The services of the office are provided free of charge.