Reykjavík University facts for kids
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Háskólinn í Reykjavík
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Seal of Reykjavik University
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Other name
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RU |
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Former name
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Reykjavík School of Business |
| Type | Private University |
| Established | September 1, 1998 |
| Accreditation | Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation |
| Chairman | Guðbjörg Edda Eggertsdóttir |
| President | Dr. Ragnhildur Helgadóttir |
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Academic staff
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320 (200 part-time lecturers) |
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Administrative staff
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100 |
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Total staff
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420 |
| Students | 3,500 (2022) |
| Address |
Menntavegur 1
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102
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64°07′25″N 21°55′36″W / 64.1237°N 21.9267°W |
| Campus | Urban, 35 acres (14 ha) |
| Language | Icelandic & English |
| Colors | Red and White |
| Affiliations | EUA, AMBA |
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Reykjavík University (often called RU) is the biggest private university in Iceland. It's a special school that teaches many different subjects. About 3,300 students go there to learn and grow.
The university is split into two main parts, called schools. These schools have seven different departments. Students can learn in both Icelandic and English.
Contents
History of Reykjavik University
How RU Started
Reykjavík University began its journey from a computer science school. This school was part of the Commercial College of Iceland. It started in January 1988 and taught students for ten years.
Becoming a University
On September 1, 1998, the school opened in a new building. It was first called the Reykjavík School of Business. The computer science school became one of its departments. People soon realized the name didn't cover all the cool things the school did.
So, in January 2000, the name was changed to Reykjavík University. This new name showed that it was a full university.
Growing Bigger
In 2002, a new School of Law was added. Then, in 2005, Reykjavík University joined with the Technical University of Iceland. After this, the School of Science and Engineering was created. This new school built on the old technical university's strengths. It also added many new types of engineering studies.
University Rankings
| University rankings | |
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| Global – Overall | |
| THE World | 801-1000 (2025) |
| THE Young Universities | 54 (2023) |
Universities are often ranked to show how good they are. Times Higher Education is a group that makes these rankings.
- In 2023, Reykjavík University was ranked 54th among young universities. Young universities are those that are 50 years old or less.
- For all universities worldwide, it was ranked between 801st and 1000th in 2025.
University Leadership
The person in charge of Reykjavík University is called the president. As of September 2021, Dr. Ragnhildur Helgadóttir is the president. She helps guide the university and its students.
What You Can Study at RU
Reykjavik University has seven different departments. These are grouped into two main schools. Each school offers many exciting subjects to learn.
School of Social Sciences
This school focuses on how people and societies work.
- Department of Business Administration: Learn about running businesses.
- Department of Law: Study laws and how they affect us.
- Department of Sport Science: Explore sports, health, and exercise.
- Department of Psychology: Understand the human mind and behavior.
School of Technology
This school is all about science, computers, and engineering.
- Department of Computer Science: Learn to code and build computer systems.
- Department of Engineering: Study how to design and build things.
- Department of Applied Engineering: Focus on practical engineering skills.
All departments offer programs that lead to a bachelor's degree. This usually takes three years. There are also advanced programs and PhD studies, which are taught in English. The university also has courses for professionals who want to learn new skills.
Iceland School of Energy
Inside the School of Science and Engineering, there is a special part called the Iceland School of Energy. Here, students learn about sustainable energy. This means finding ways to create energy that are good for our planet. They study how to design and manage systems for clean energy.
Research at RU
Reykjavik University is a place where a lot of new discoveries are made. Its main research areas are technology, business, and law. Scientists at RU work hard to find new information. For example, in 2016, they published hundreds of articles and papers. These shared their new findings with other experts around the world.
The University Campus
Reykjavik University is located in a place called Nauthólsvík. Its main building opened in January 2010. The building has a unique design. It looks like the sun with rays stretching out from its center.
The campus has everything students need. There are classrooms for lessons and a library for studying. It also has a gym, a cafeteria, and a small shop. Students can use the study areas and group-work rooms any time, day or night.
Working with Other Schools
Reykjavík University works with many other universities and companies. They team up for research and to offer special learning programs. For example, students can get two degrees at once in computer science. This is done with the University of Camerino.
Students can also join exchange programs. This means they can study for a while at a different university. RU is also part of the University of the Arctic. This is a group of over 200 schools that focus on education and research in the Arctic region. Through this group, students can even study in other parts of the North.
Special Certifications
Some programs at Reykjavik University have special certifications. These show that the programs meet high international standards. For example, the Master of Project Management program has a certification from the Association for Project Management. The Executive MBA program also has a special 5-year certification from the Association of MBAs. These certifications mean that the education you get at RU is recognized and respected worldwide.
See also
- Skemman.is (digital library)
