FAQ's on Bifröst University

Founded in 1918, Bifröst University is a business university with a long history of individualized education. BU is in the forefront in Iceland in providing digital distance education with departments in Business Administration, Business Law and Social Sciences.

All degree programmes are taught online in the Icelandic language with digital lectures, discussion seminars, group projects and one on-site session on each term.

Bifröst University also offers a variety of classes and programmes at different educational levels. The University Gateway offers a one-year preparatory study programmes for university studies in Icelandic.

The Department of Lifelong Learning offers both classes with and without ECTS credits, at graduate- and postgraduate levels, as well as classes without admission requirements. Most classes are taught in Icelandic, with occasional classes in English.

Department of Business

Undergraduate programmes:

• BS in Business Administration
  Students have an alternative of taking their studies with up to two admistrative emphases. Choices can be made from the following emphases:
  • BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finances
  • BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing
  • BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Retail and Service Management
  • BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Project Management
  • Diploma in Business Administration and Retail Management

Postgraduate programmes

• MS / MLM in Leadership and Management
• MS / MLM in Leadership and Management with an emphasis in Human Resources Management
• MS / MLM in Leadership and Management with an emphasis in Project Management
• MS / MMM in Marketing 

Department of Law

Undergraduate programmes

• BA in Business Law

Postgraduate programmes

• ML / MBL in Business Law
• Postgraduate Diploma in Business Law 

Department of Social Sciences

Undergraduate programmes

• BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
• BA in Media and Public Relations
• BA in Public Administration
• BA in Creative Industries
• Diploma in Cultural Management
• Diploma in Public Administration
• Diploma in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)

Postgraduate programmes

• MA / MCM in Cultural Management
• MA / MCM in Crisis Management
• MA in Communication Management 
• Diploma in Crisis Management 

University Gateway

• University Gateway Program

Undergraduate programmes:

Students are required to have completed a matriculation examination (Icelandic stúdentspróf) or the equivalent level of study, e.g. The University Gateway programme. Applicants whose Icelandic is not their first language may need to proof their language proficiency.

Those who do not meet general admission requirements for university studies, The University Gateway offers a one-year preparatory study programme at a pre-university.

Postgraduate Programmes:

Students are required to have completed a Bachelor’s degree before admission (with a GPA >7.25), or have education and experience equivalent to an undergraduate degree. Applicants whose first language is not Icelandic may need to provide proof of language proficiency.

Specific faculty rules may apply regarding admission requirements.

The ML Postgraduate Programme in Law (ML) requires a BA degree in law and is intended for those who wish to work in the legal system, e.g. to practise law. The Postgraduate Programme in Business Law (MBL) requires basic legal knowledge, while those who do not hold a Bachelor’s degree in law must complete an introductory course in law either concurrently or before starting the postgraduate programme.

The University Gateway:

The University Gateway programme is for adult learners. To be eligible for studies in the programme, you will need to have an Icelandic identification number (Icelandic kennitala). In addition, you will need to fulfil any of the following academic requirements:

• Completion of a learning programme at ISQF level 2 / EQF level 3
• Completion of the equivalent of 100 credit units at the Icelandic secondary school level
• Foreign educational documents are evaluated by ENIC-NARIC Iceland to assess whether admission requirements are fulfilled.

According to information from the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration, studies in the University Gateway programme do not make you eligible for a residence permit for students.

Application deadline for autumn semester are in the beginning of June each year and in the beginning of December for spring semester. The application deadline applies to both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Apply here.

Applications must include curriculum vitae, certified copy of a diploma, transcript including the grading scale and a short motivation letter.

Scanned diplomas must be originals or certified copies with a stamp from the relevant school.

The registration fee for the school year 2024-2025 is 75,000 ISK.
For the spring semester, the registration fee is 55,000 ISK.
For the summer semester, the fee is 35,000 ISK.

For Icelandic residents, many unions offer financial support for education. Please contact your union for more information.

Bifröst does not offer scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Students who are Icelandic residents can apply for student loans from the Icelandic Student Loan Fund, information about eligibility are available on their website.

Students with refugee status can apply for a scholarship for the University Gateway. The scholarship is granted to students who register for 20 or more credits and pass all of their courses. The scholarship equals 75% of registration fee and is paid at the end of each semester. Scholarships are available for 20 students. Applicants for scholarship need to send a letter of motivation where they state how the University Gateway programme will support their goals. The letter should be about 200-300 words. Applicants for scholarship can send their application via email to haskolagatt@bifrost.is