Higher Education in Iceland

There are several academic institutions in Iceland that provide education at the university level (see information below).

University of Iceland
The University of Iceland was established in 1911. The university is organized into 5 academic schools, and 25 faculties. The university offers diverse program on all levels. The University of Iceland is the only university in Iceland offering undergraduate and graduate studies in all the main disciplines. In addition, the University of Iceland is an internationally renowned research university and our academics have received a great deal of international recognition for their scientific work.

A large number of research findings by scientists from the University of Iceland are considered ground-breaking in its field. The university operates around 40 research institutes, and research-based graduate studies are also offered. The number of students is currently around 15,000. The university employs a group of well-educated and experienced teachers and scientists; it has a standing tradition for research and collaborates actively with universities and institutions abroad.

The University of Iceland is the strongest cornerstone of knowledge creation in Icelandic society. In a time of growing international competition, university education and research activities in Iceland must be fully in line with the best available internationally; the University of Iceland plays a key role in this regard. Year after year surveys have shown that the Icelandic people have more confidence in the University of Iceland than any other institution; the university enjoys the confidence of more than 90% of the nation.

Reykjavik University
Reykjavík University was founded in 1998 and is now the second largest university in Iceland with over 3000 students and over 300 employees. The university operates 19 research institutes and five academic departments: School of Business, School of Health and Education, School of Science and Engineering, School of computer Science and School of law. In addition, RU´s Open University offers a range of programs for the business community as well as offering life-long learning opportunities for individuals and companies. Reykjavík University (RU) is a progressive and dynamic academic institution rapidly growing as an international teaching and research university, that likes to compare to the world's best universities. One of RU's major roles is to enhance the competitiveness of the Icelandic business and technology communities. The school puts high emphasis on innovation, technological development, cooperation and active participation in the international community of research and education. The MBA program at Reykjavík University is an intensive two-year general management program with a focus on leadership development. The programme is designed for individuals with an undergraduate degree who want to strenghten their leadership potential as well as gain new analytical skills and management tools. All classes in the MBA program are conducted in English.

University of Akureyri
The University of Akureyri (Háskólinn á Akureyri) is located in North Iceland and has served Akureyri and its rural surrounding since 1987. The university has built a reputation for academic excellence and good industrial relations. Located in the capital of North Iceland, Akureyri, the university has been instrumental in the areas economic growth and is central in the areas of future planning as a knowledge based society. The university is divided into three faculties; Faculty of Business and Science, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Faculty of Health Sciences. The number of students is around 1450 and members of staff are around 180. The University of Akureyri collaborates with schools in various ways. Firstly, there is the Nordplus-plan within the sphere of Nordic cooperation. Secondly, bilateral agreements are made with schools through the Erasmus Program. Thirdly, there is the North2North collaboration of universities in circumpolar regions. Finally, there are bilateral agreements with schools outside Europe. The University of Akureyri offers a selection of course taught in English, some specially designed for exchange students, such as Icelandic as a Foreign Language, Icelandic Nature and Icelandic History, Culture and Society. The University also offers a unique program in Polar Law taught entirely in English.

Bifröst University
Bifröst University was founded in Reykjavík in 1918 on the model of Ruskin College, Oxford, under the name Samvinnuskólinn or the Cooperative College. Its role then, as now, was to educate leaders for business and society.

Bifröst has been accredited by Iceland's Ministry of Education as a university since 1988. Originally a business school, Bifröst began to offer degrees in law in 2002, in social science in 2005, and is planning further expansion. Reflecting these changes, its name was changed to Bifröst University in 2006.

Bifröst is a private, self-governing, non-profit institution.

The Bifröst campus is 110 km from the centre of Reykjavík, roughly 90 minutes' driving distance from the capital.

The faculties at Bifröst are:
Faculty of Business
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Social Sciences

Bifröst University offers an undergraduate program in Business fully taught in English in addition to various masters programs.

Agricultural University of Iceland

The Agricultural University of Iceland (AUI) was founded on 1 January 2005. It is an educational and research institution in the field of agriculture and environmental sciences. It is comprised of three faculties: the Faculty of Land and Animal Resources, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Faculty of Vocational and Continuing Education.

The AUI awards B.Sc. degrees in these fields, and is entitled to award both M.Sc. and PhD degrees as well as providing vocational and continuing education.

Special natural circumstances in Iceland, such as volcanic activity, special soils affecting the cultivation of agricultural plants, unique races of livestock, sub-arctic and oceanic climate and cold-climate agriculture, means that natural and agricultural sciences in Iceland can be considered unique in many respects. Catastrophic ecosystem degradation, soil erosion and desertification have also shaped Icelandic nature. All these research fields are therefore of international importance. Research and graduate studies in relation to many environmental fields, such as desertification, ecosystem restoration, afforestation and carbon sequestration are all international programs at AUI. Special emphasis is on research related to the utilization of our unique genetic resources in both livestock and agricultural plants.

Students that have graduated from the AUI have received full recognition abroad for their coursework undertaken at the AUI.

RES | The School for Renewable Energy Science

RES is an international graduate school devoted to education in renewable energy science and technology. This can clearly be seen by looking at our students, faculty, program of study, and over 30 foreign technical universities as active partners on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. RES is affiliated with both University of Akureyri and University of Iceland, and our graduates receive their M.Sc. degree diplomas from both our Icelandic partner universities. The M.Sc. Program is also run in partnership with a number of leading technical universities around the world (RESnet), with the possibilities for joint master degrees.

RES is a young and ambitious school, committed to high quality education, rigorous curriculum, international faculty of highest standards and a creative study environment. RES gives students access to some of the world’s leading experts in the renewable energy field.

RES offers currently five specializations of study: Geothermal Energy; Hydropower; Fuel Cell Systems & Hydrogen; Biofuels & Bioenergy; and Energy Systems. Other specializations to be offered in the near future include Wind & Wave Power and Solar Energy.

Universities in Iceland