Founded in 1918

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.

The school was moved to Bifröst in Borgarfjörður in 1955.

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 which receives around 40% of its income from the Icelandic state, 40% from tuition fees and 20% from other sources.  

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 offers the following bachelor's and master's degrees:

BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)

BA in International Studies

BS in Business Administration

BS in Business Law

ML in Law

MA in Tax Law

LL.M in European Business and Corporate Law

MS in International Business

MS in International Banking and Finance

MS in Management in Health Services

MA in European Studies

MA in Cultural Management

The university also offers a one-year preparatory department for students lacking full university entrance qualifications, as well as various life-long learning programs.

Around 45% of undergraduate students at Bifröst study one or more terms abroad at partner universities in America, Asia and continental Europe.

Alumni from Bifröst include many entrepreneurs and leaders in Icelandic business and politics.