Reykjavík University (RU; Icelandic: Háskólinn í Reykjavík), is the largest private university in Iceland with more than 3,500 students. It is chartered by the Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Icelandic Industries, and the Confederation of Icelandic Employers.
The university consists of four academic schools: School of Law, School of Business, School of Computer Science, and the School of Science and Engineering. The university is bilingual (English and Icelandic).
Reykjavík University has its roots in the Commercial College of Iceland, School of Computer Science (TVÍ), which was founded in January 1988 and operated within the Commercial College of Iceland (VÍ) facilities for ten years.
Reykjavík University started its first semester on 1 September 1998, in a new building under the name Reykjavík School of Business. TVÍ became one of two departments within the school. A name change was inevitable because the school's name was not descriptive for the variety of the school's operations.
In January 2000, the name was changed to Reykjavík University. In the autumn of 2002, the School of Law was established at Reykjavík University and in 2005, Reykjavík University was merged with the Technical University of Iceland (THÍ) under the name Reykjavík University. Following the merger, the School of Science and Engineering was established, partly built upon the old foundation of THÍ with the addition of new engineering fields.
Ari Kristinn Jónsson is the president of Reykjavik University, succeeding Svafa Grönfeldt in January 2010.
The university features four academic schools in which teaching and research is carried out:
- School of Business
- School of Computer Science
- School of Law
- School of Science and Engineering
All four schools offer a three-year study programme leading to a BSc or BA degree. All schools offer graduate programmes and PhD programmes. Reykjavik University also offers preliminary studies for students who need more preparation before beginning their university studies and an Open University with executive education course for professionals.
Iceland School of Energy
Iceland School of Energy is operated within the School of Science and Engineering. The School offers opportunities for research, design and the management of systems for sustainable energy.
Research
Reykjavik University's research subjects are technology, business, and law. RU has participated in a formal implementation program of the European Commission policy regarding the working environment of researchers. In 2016, RU scientists published 245 articles, posters and abstracts in peer-reviewed conferences/symposia/ proceedings and 177 articles in peer-reviewed scholarly journals.
