Master’s degree in occupational therapy can now be completed in Iceland

A new Nordic collaboration in occupational science has laid an important foundation for strengthening postgraduate education in occupational therapy in Iceland. Through the University of Akureyri’s participation in the OSNord project, both students and practising occupational therapists now have access to a wider range of master’s-level courses and new opportunities for international collaboration.

For many years, occupational therapy education in Iceland has consisted of a postgraduate diploma leading to professional qualification, offered by the Faculty of Occupational Therapy at the University of Akureyri. UNAK is the only university in Iceland to offer such a programme. Those wishing to complete a full master’s degree in occupational therapy therefore previously had to study at a university abroad.

To enable students to complete a master’s degree, the OSNord – Nordic Occupational Science Hub development project was launched in 2023. The project brings together occupational therapy departments at four Nordic universities: the University of Akureyri in Iceland, the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, Arcada University of Applied Sciences in Finland and Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet) in Norway. The project is led by Dr Sigrún Kristín Jónasdóttir, Associate Professor at UNAK. Its aim is to strengthen master’s-level education in occupational therapy and occupational science across the Nordic countries through joint curriculum development and increased professional collaboration.

Collaboration already delivering results

The collaboration has already produced tangible results. In autumn 2026, the Faculty of Occupational Therapy at the University of Akureyri was able to offer master’s programmes in occupational therapy worth either 90 or 120 ECTS credits for the first time. The OSNord collaboration was one of the factors that made this development possible.

^{The network’s first meeting was held at the University of Akureyri in August 2024}

Through the project, occupational therapy students and practising occupational therapists in Iceland will also gain online access to four master’s-level courses taught in English. Based on perspectives from occupational science, the courses will address topics including occupational justice, critical approaches, professional development and changes in everyday life in a Nordic context. The first course will be offered by Arcada University of Applied Sciences in autumn 2026.

The collaboration provides a platform for students, educators and professionals to share knowledge and experience across national borders. It strengthens the connections between occupational therapy in Iceland and the Nordic and international academic community, while creating new opportunities for research, innovation and professional development.

For Icelandic occupational therapists, this marks an important milestone. It is now possible not only to pursue a master’s degree in occupational therapy in Iceland, but also to access a shared Nordic learning environment that deepens knowledge of occupational science and supports the continued development of the profession.

Click here for further information about the project.