Preliminary studies

Preparation for university studies

Reykjavik University (RU) offers a one-year university preparatory programme through the Department of Preliminary Studies. The programme is designed for students who wish to qualify for entry to University level education. The main objective is to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to undertake studies at university level. The programme is a bridge between post-secondary and higher education, and targeted at four main groups:

Students who have finished a recognised post-secondary vocational training programme.
Students who have completed a pre-access course (Menntastoðir), and have been working on the labour market.
Students who have studied at post-secondary level, but have not completed their studies.
Students, who have completed post-secondary education (matriculation examination), but need more preparation in Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, to enter a higher education programme.

Course description

The preliminary studies programme is equivalent to 100 FEIN (Icelandic upper-secondary school credits) and takes ten and a half months to complete. On successful completion of the programme, students receive the Preliminary Studies diploma (frumgreinapróf).

Subject Tracks:

Students follow one of four pathways, or tracks, which prepare them for specific undergraduate careers.

Engineering and Technology
Computer Studies
Business
Legal Studies

The programme covers the following topics (depending on track choice); Icelandic, Danish, English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, History of Ideas, Computer Science, Programming, Accounting and Bookkeeping, Methodology and Economics , Practical usage, Sciences, Statistics, Excel.

Admissions

Entry Dates: The Preliminary studies programme offers admission once a year in the fall semester.

Entrance Requirements:

Icelandic is the language of instruction: applicants are required to have advanced Icelandic skills.

Students must fulfill at least one of the following requirements

Recognised post –secondary vocational training or Journeyman's examination.
Post-secondary pre-access course (Menntastoðir). Work experience is also desirable for students in this category.
Partial completion of post-secondary college education. Students at a minimum should have completed at least one course in: Icelandic, Mathematics, English, Danish (or other Nordic language) and Information Technology. Students will also need to show considerable work experience.
Students who have completed a matriculation examination, but do not have sufficient modules in one or more of the STEM fields to undertaken their chosen degree.