OpenEU

An Alliance to Promote Accessible, High-Quality Education Across Europe

Bifröst University is part of the OpenEU-Alliance, a dynamic coalition of 27 academic and non-academic organisations dedicated to creating a pan-European open university. Backed by the European Commission, OpenEU is committed to enhancing the digital, green, and social dimensions of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), offering accessible, high-quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for everyone.

The Alliance aims to tackle some of the most pressing global challenges, including the climate emergency, digital transformation, and threats to democracy.




OpenEU official website

International Office

International Week 2026 at Bifröst University

Staff and students standing in front of a viking ship monument by ocean front in Reykjavik

The OpenEU Office at Bifröst University


Kasper Kristensen

Kasper Kristensen
Director of Research and Office Manager
rannsoknastjori [at] bifrost.is


Susanne Arthur

Susanne Arthur
OpenEU Institutional Coordinator
Contact us at openeu [at] bifrost.is



Michelle Spinei

Michelle Spinei
OpenEU Engagement & Impact Officer
michelles [at] bifrost.is

  • How does OpenEU benefit staff members?
    • Enhanced Collaboration
      Engage in transnational educational and research activities with colleagues from various universities. 
    • Professional Growth
      Access development opportunities in a diverse, multilingual, and intercultural environment. 
    • Mutual Learning and Mobility
      Benefit from initiatives like staff mobility weeks, job shadowing, and online exchange spaces. 
    • Co-Creation Opportunities
      Play an active role in transforming partner universities towards a unified strategy and structure. 
  • How does OpenEU benefit students?
    • Greater Mobility
      Experience increased flexibility with virtual, hybrid, and face-to-face exchanges — ideal for non-traditional students. 
    • Improved Career Prospects
      Gain skills and credentials that make you more attractive to employers. 
    • Customised Learning Paths
      Tailor your curriculum with interdisciplinary courses from any university in the consortium, all with a European perspective. 
    • Joint Programmes and Micro-Credentials
      Benefit from collaborative educational programmes and a diverse portfolio of micro-credentials. 
    • Multilingual Classrooms
      Learn in environments that support multiple languages, in line with European Language Policies. 
    • Virtual Community Campus
      Engage with a shared online campus that fosters a sense of community. 

News 

R

Jan. 29, 2025

Bifröst and the OpenEU Partnership – Building Something Important

Bifröst University is one of the member institutions of the OpenEU university alliance, which brings together European academic institutions and associated organisations and is supported by the European Commission. The aim of the collaboration is to create a pan-European open university that uses digital learning for the benefit of communities.
Read more here

Rektorar háskólanna tíu sem standa að háskólaneti OpenEU

Jan. 15, 2025

The OpenEU University Network Lays the Foundation for a Pan-European Distance-Learning University

The inaugural meeting of the OpenEU university network will be held on 16–17 January in Barcelona, where the rectors of the ten universities directly involved in the collaboration will gather. The partnership includes eight of Europe’s leading open and distance-learning universities, with Bifröst University among them.
Read more here

Yfirlitskort yfir samstarfsaðila innan OpenEU háskólanetsins.



28. júní 2024

OpenEU launched, the first step to a pan-European open university

The OpenEU alliance, coordinated by the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), brings together 14 universities and 13 academic, business, rural, municipal, and civil society associations from across Europe to create a pan-European open university. 
Read more here