FAQ's on Bifröst University

At Bifröst University, we place a great emphasis on international cooperation with universities abroad. Besides being a member of the Erasmus partnership of European universities, BU has bilateral agreements made with universities outside Europe. Also, BU is a member of the University of the Arctic.

Then, students from all over the world living in Iceland, can at BU's University Gateway, prepare for studies at Icelandic universities or sign up for our online courses in Icelandic as a second language. 

  • Why study with us?

    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 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, including a programme in Icelandic as a second language.

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

  • What can I study?

    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 emphasis in finances
      • BS in Business Administration with emphasis in Marketing
      • BS in Business Administration with emphasis in sustainable management
      • BS in Business Administration with emphasis in Service Management
      • BS in Business Administration with emphasis in Project Management
      • BS in Business Administration with emphasis in Business Intelligence
      • BS in Business Administration with emphasis in Retail Management
      • Diploma in Business Administration and Retail Management

    Postgraduate programmes

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

    Department of Law

    Undergraduate programmes

    • BSc in Business Law

    Postgraduate programmes

    • ML / MBL in Business Law
    • Postgraduate Diplomas 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 Public Administration
    • Diploma in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)

    Postgraduate programmes

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

    University Gateway

    • University Gateway Program
    • Icelandic as a second language
  • What are the admission requirements?

    Undergraduate programmes:

    Students are required to have completed a matriculation examination (í. 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 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 as well as a programme in Icelandic as Second Language.

    Postgraduate programmes:

    Students are required to have completed a Bachelor’s degree before admission (with a GPA  >7,25), or an education and experience equivalent to a undergraduate degree. Applicants whose Icelandic is not their first language may need to proof language proficiency.

    Specific faculty rules may apply regarding admission requirements.

    The ML Postgraduate programmes in law (ML) requires BA/BS degree in law and is intended for those who wish to work in the legal system, e.g. to practice law. The postgraduate programme in business law (MBL) requires basic law knowledge whereas those who do not hold an Bachelor’s degree in the field of law must complete an in introductory course in law at the same time 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 (í. kennitala). In addition, you wil need to fulfill 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 if admission requirements are fulfilled.

    According to information from the Icelandic directorate of immigration, studies in the University Gateway programme does not make you eligible for a residence permit for students.

  • How to apply?

    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.

  • What are the tuition fees?

    Tuition fees are charged for credit levels within a semester. Registration and confirmation fee is ISK. 127,000 (2023-2024) and is deducted from school fees.

    Undergraduate programmes:

    Credits per semester      Fees (2023-2024)

     1 - 8 ECTS                           ISK 164.000

     9 - 16 ECTS                        ISK 215.000

     17 - 22 ECTS                      ISK 266.000

     23 > ECTS                           ISK 317.000

    Postgraduate programmes:

    Credits per semester      Fees (2023-2024)

    1-8 ECTS                              ISK 219.000

    9-16 ECTS                           ISK 339.000

    17-22 ECTS                         ISK 449.000

    >23 ECTS                             ISK 499.000

    The University Gateway:

    The price for each credit unit is ISK 3.750, so each 5 credit class costs ISK 18.750. When application is approved the student pays a confirmation fee of ISK 37.750, for 10 credits. The remainder of the registration fee will be billed after the deadline is due for changes in course registration.

    Icelandic residents are eligible for a student loan from the Icelandic student loan fund. Information about the eligibility are available on their website.

  • Are there any scholarships available?

    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