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Art Pedagogy - Additional Diploma

The program aims to educate people for teaching as well as to strengthen their skills and theoretical basis to share their knowledge in different fields.

  • Open for applications

    January 14th, 2026

  • Application deadline

    March 2nd, 2026

  • Applications answered

    May 2026

  • Registration fee

    More information

  • Name of programme

    Art Pedagogy - Additional Diploma

  • Name of degree

    Diploma

  • Units

    60 ECTS

  • Duration of study

    2 semesters – 1 years

Information is provided in Icelandic for study programs that have Icelandic as the primary language of instruction.

About the programme

The program aims to educate artists for teaching, as well as to strengthen their skills and theoretical basis to share their knowledge in different arenas.

Emphasis is placed on students gaining understanding and knowledge of the teacher's work, both theoretically and on the field. They can organize studies and study components based on current curricula and choose appropriate study materials, study and assessment methods. Teaching and communication are also examined in a wider context, and students are encouraged to present their own vision and ideas about art studies and learning opportunities in society.

The Art Education Department brings together a group of people from diverse disciplines whose goal is to adopt and develop methods for art education with the broadest possible social and ideological implications.

Electoral field

Starting in the fall of 2026, the additional diploma in teaching will be merged with the additional diploma in art education. For differentiation, the program is now divided into four elective areas:

 

Field of interest: Art methods in general education

The goal of the program is to promote the arts and arts-related projects in school work by graduating teachers who utilize arts methods in learning and teaching. The program aims to educate people for teaching as well as to strengthen their skills and theoretical basis to share their knowledge in different fields.

Admission requirements
Master's degree (6.2), Master's degree (6.1) or equivalent university degree in subjects other than arts.

 

Constituency: Visual arts

The goal of the program is to promote the arts and arts-related projects in school work by graduating teachers who utilize arts methods in learning and teaching. The program aims to educate visual artists to teach, as well as to strengthen their skills and academic foundation for communicating their knowledge in different fields. 

Admission requirements
Master's degree (6.2), Master's degree (6.1) or equivalent university degree in visual arts or design.

 

Preferred field: Performing arts

The goal of the program is to promote the arts and arts-related projects in school work by graduating teachers who utilize arts methods in learning and teaching. The program aims to educate performing artists to teach, as well as to strengthen their skills and academic foundation for communicating their knowledge in different settings. 

Admission requirements
Master's degree (6.2), Master's degree (6.1) or equivalent university degree in performing arts.

 

Field of interest: Music

The goal of the program is to promote the arts and arts-related projects in school work by graduating teachers who utilize arts methods in learning and teaching. The program aims to educate musicians to teach, as well as to strengthen their skills and academic foundation for communicating their knowledge in different fields. 

Admission requirements
Master's degree (6.2), Master's degree (6.1) or equivalent university degree in music.

 

Study structure

The program is diverse and is based on courses in teaching, pedagogy and psychology, philosophy and sociology, along with training in teaching and communication of arts and projects both within and outside the school system.

The program is a one-year (two-semester), 60-credit academic and practical postgraduate course in art education that culminates in a diploma degree.

After graduation

Upon completion of their studies, students receive an additional diploma in art education. Students have gained the knowledge and experience to work at all school levels as well as carry out various cultural and educational projects in the community.    

Students receive a professional license (permit) upon graduation. The license includes the right of graduated students to call themselves a teacher and work as such in Iceland at kindergarten, primary and secondary school levels.  

Application and admission process

All applications for studies are submitted through the application portal and all communication regarding the application process will take place there. The application fee is paid in the last step of the electronic application and is ISK 5.000.

Enrolled and registered students who have Uglu access must also create a separate access to the communication portal when applying for a new program.

In the electronic application, the applicant has the opportunity to specify the reasons for the application, goals, vision, focus and more in a short text. Applicants receive confirmation that LHÍ has received the application after it has been ascertained that the applicant has submitted all necessary supporting documents. In the art education department, students are admitted once a year and begin their studies in the fall semester.

If the number of applicants meeting the admission requirements for the study programme falls below the minimum threshold, the programme will not be offered for the upcoming academic year. Applicants will be informed of this decision as soon as possible, and any confirmation fees paid will be refunded.

Open for applications

January 14th, 2026

Application deadline

March 2nd, 2026

Applications answered

May 2026

Price list

More information

Special instructions of the art education department

For an application to be valid, an application fee must be paid and the following documents must be received by the University of the Arts:

  • 1. Certified copies of diplomas

    Required

    Attested copies of diplomas, black and white photocopy are not valid.

  • 2. Reviews of two recommenders

    Required

    Applicants are asked to write the names and email addresses of two reviewers in the appropriate field in the application. It is preferable that one reviewer is related to studies and the other to work.

    Recommenders will be contacted and recommendations will be requested as needed.

  • 3. Statement: Reasons for application

    Required
    In this essay, candidates are kindly asked to explain;
    a. what significance do they think the program has for them,
    b. what they consider desirable in studying arts education and arts in school work.
    c. what advantages the applicant has that will likely be useful in teaching and communication.
    Maximum length is 300 words.
  • 4. Curriculum vitae (CV)

    Required
    A curriculum vitae with general information about the applicant must accompany the application. The curriculum vitae must contain an overview of education, work, language skills and other experiences that the applicant believes will be useful in the program. The CV should be no longer than two pages.
  • Admission process

    Applicants who meet all the admission requirements of a study program are invited to an admissions interview.

    Applicants do not need to bring documents to the admissions interview unless specifically requested by the admissions committee.

    The admissions committee of the art education department reviews applications and selects applicants who receive an invitation to attend school.

    Applicants who receive an invitation to stay at a school must confirm whether they intend to take it by paying the registration fee for the coming school year.

    The decision of the admissions committee is final and the admissions committee is not obliged to give further explanations of its decision.

  • Language skills

    A master's program in art education is a program that is taught in Icelandic, unless there are foreign guest teachers, in which case the teaching takes place in English. Applicants must be able to express themselves orally and in writing in Icelandic in accordance with the requirements for university studies.