University of Reykjavik

What University of Reykjavik does

Reykjavik University (Háskólinn í Reykjavík) is a private, non-profit higher education institution founded in 2005 and headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland at Menntavegur 1. It operates across seven academic departments (Applied Engineering, Business and Economics, Computer Science, Engineering, Law, Psychology, and Sport Science) and 12+ specialized research centers, including CADIA (AI), CRESS, ICCAM (additive manufacturing), ICE-TCS, and RU FINTECH, plus the Iceland School of Energy as a focused sub-brand for sustainable energy education and research. The institution serves approximately 720 graduates annually and supports an active student community through 252 on-campus apartments, a student union, career services, and dedicated psychological and technical support.

The university's revenue model blends tuition fees (undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and executive programmes including Executive MBA and MPM), Icelandic Ministry of Education funding for accredited programmes, research grants (including internal RU Research Fund, EU sources, and industry partnerships), and technology transfer/licensing income from research to industry. Pricing is publicly disclosed by programme and residency status with annual billing. GTM is sales-led via traditional admissions, supported by online application portals (umsoknir.ru.is), a dedicated international office, career days, and education-fair participation. International student recruitment is treated as a distinct channel.

Strategically, the university pursues internationalization through the NeurotechEU alliance (alongside Karolinska Institutet and Radboud University) and an ongoing collaboration with MIT, complemented by a 2026 partnership with Southern Utah University to scale the Iceland School of Energy into North American geothermal networks. All programmes are accredited by Iceland's Ministry of Education, and the institution has been recognized by the European Commission for providing an excellent working environment for researchers. Governance is exercised through a Board of Directors and University Council, most recently reconstituted at the April 29, 2026 Annual General Meeting, with Dr. Ragnhildur Helgadóttir serving as President since 2021.

Name

University of Reykjavik

Legal name

Reykjavik University

Website

https://en.ru.is

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Reykjavik University is a private Icelandic university offering undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and executive programmes across seven departments and the Iceland School of Energy, serving roughly 720 graduates per year through 12+ research centers and international alliances.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Technical Universities with Energy, Materials & Sustainability Focus (EDAHAEAL)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• University degree programs
• Academic research services
• Executive education programs
• Sustainable energy research

Headquarters

HQ city

Reykjavík

HQ country

Iceland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from student tuition fees for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs including specialized programs like Executive MBA and MPM.
2. Government Funding: Government of Iceland funding for accredited educational programs and research activities, including Ministry of Education accreditation and regulatory oversight.
3. Research Grants and Fund: Funding from RU Research Fund, RU Infrastructure Fund, and external research grants including EU funding and industry partnerships for applied research.
4. Technology Transfer: Licensing and purchase of intellectual property rights from research to industry, technology transfer services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Reykjavik University is a private higher education institution offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degree programmes in technology, business, law, social sciences, psychology, and sports science. It operates seven academic departments, multiple specialized research centers, executive education programs (Executive MBA, MPM), and the Iceland School of Energy focused on sustainable energy. Supplementary services include student housing and a research library.

Product overview

Reykjavik University operates as a comprehensive higher education institution offering a unified portfolio of academic programmes and research services. The core offerings include undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes across seven academic departments (Computer Science, Engineering, Applied Engineering, Business and Economics, Law, Psychology, and Sport Science), supplemented by specialized schools such as the Iceland School of Energy and executive education programmes (Executive MBA, MPM). Research infrastructure includes multiple specialized research centers (CADIA, CRESS, ICCAM, ICETRE, ICE-TCS, RU FINTECH). Support services encompass RU Library with databases and information resources, and RU Student Housing with 252 apartments. The university also offers continuing education and summer school programmes, connecting academic offerings with industry through innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Iceland School of Energy (ISE): A school within Reykjavik University focused on sustainable energy education, research, and workforce development, committed to shaping the future by empowering individuals to lead in sustainable energy.

Products and services

• Academic Degree Programmes Comprehensive higher education offerings including undergraduate (BSc, BA), postgraduate (MSc, MEd, MAcc), and doctoral (PhD) programmes in technology, business, law, social sciences, psychology, and sports science for prospective and current students.
• Iceland School of Energy Specialized school offering sustainable energy education, research, and workforce development, leveraging Iceland's geothermal and renewable energy resources for hands-on training and research.
• Executive MBA Executive Master of Business Administration programme designed for senior professionals and working executives seeking advanced business leadership credentials.
• Master of Project Management (MPM) Master's programme in project management aimed at professionals seeking leadership roles and formal project management credentials.
• RU Student Housing On-campus student accommodation comprising 252 apartments in two residential complexes, providing self-contained living spaces with private entrances for RU students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 720 students graduated in June 2026 ceremony
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• RUPA (Reykjavik University Players Association)minorOthers · 23 June 2026Cooperation agreement signed between Reykjavik University and RUPA for collaboration on student activities and university services.
• Southern Utah UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Iceland School of Energy at Reykjavik University and Southern Utah University signed a partnership to advance sustainable energy education, research, and workforce development. Building on Southern Utah University's collaboration with Fervo Energy and Utah's geothermal sector, the partnership connects students, researchers, and industry across both institutions.
• Karolinska InstitutetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration within the NeurotechEU framework for blended intensive programmes (BIP), including the Summer School of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. Joint academic programs and research initiatives.
• Radboud UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration within the NeurotechEU framework for blended intensive programmes (BIP), including the Summer School of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. Joint academic programs and research initiatives.
• NeurotechEUcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean University alliance focused on neurotechnology research and education. Reykjavik University participates as a member, enabling student mobility, collaborative research, and joint programs across European institutions.
• MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration with MIT for research and academic exchange. Specific collaboration details available through the International Collaboration page.
• Transport for the Capital Area (TfCA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with TfCA and City of Reykjavik for construction of Rapid Bus Transit (BRT) system at Reykjavik University campus. University serves as a transit hub location for urban transportation infrastructure.
• City of ReykjavikminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on urban development projects including BRT system and city planning initiatives involving the university.
• BjarkarhlíðminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between Faculty of Law and Bjarkarhlíð on symposium and workshop regarding sharing of personal data in connection with risk assessments in violence cases.
• Ministry of Culture, Innovation and Higher EducationminorOthersGovernment ministry providing funding through Strategic Research Programme on Natural Hazards. Ljósvari project received funding as one of five research projects supported.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• University of Iceland (Háskóli Íslands): Iceland's primary public research university offering programs across sciences, engineering, law, social sciences, and humanities. It is the most direct peer to Reykjavik University, competing for the same domestic student pool and overlapping in nearly every discipline, though as a tuition-free public institution it sets a price-anchor for RU's offerings.
• IT University of Copenhagen: Danish public university focused exclusively on computer science, IT, and digital design. Comparable to RU's computer science and AI programs, with a similar emphasis on industry-relevant digital research and a smaller, specialized profile relative to broader Nordic universities.

Regional players

• University of Akureyri (Háskólinn á Akureyri): Another Icelandic higher education institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs with strengths in health sciences, business, and natural resources. It competes with RU for Icelandic students and faculty, particularly in regional Iceland, but with a smaller scale and different program emphasis.

Broad incumbents

• Aalto University: Finnish multi-disciplinary research university focused on science, technology, business, and arts. Comparable to RU in its mix of technology, business, and design schools and its emphasis on industry-relevant research, but at significantly larger scale and with broader international reach.
• KTH Royal Institute of Technology: Sweden's leading technical university with programs in engineering, computer science, and applied research. Comparable to RU's technology and engineering focus, but with substantially larger scale, more established research output, and a Nordic hub status for STEM talent.
• Technical University of Denmark (DTU): Denmark's leading technical university with strong programs in engineering, computer science, and sustainable energy. Comparable to RU in its combination of technology focus and applied energy research, though operating at significantly larger scale and with deeper industrial partnerships.
• Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU): Norway's main technical university with strengths in engineering, computer science, natural sciences, and energy research. Comparable to RU in its emphasis on technology and applied research, with strong industry integration in energy sectors including offshore wind and hydrogen.
• Lund University: Swedish research university with strengths in engineering, law, social sciences, and natural sciences. Comparable to RU in its multi-disciplinary private-leaning public profile and Nordic regional role, though at substantially larger scale and with deeper international research standing.
• University of Copenhagen: Denmark's largest research university covering health, law, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. Comparable to RU in the breadth of academic disciplines offered, but operating at a much larger scale and serving as the primary competitor in the Nordic region for top-tier research talent and international students.
• Chalmers University of Technology: Swedish private (foundation-owned) technical university with strengths in engineering, computer science, and applied research. Comparable to RU as a private Nordic institution combining technology education with industry collaboration, though at a larger scale and with deeper industrial sponsorship.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ReykjavikUniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/haskolinnireykjavik
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/reykjavik-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/haskolinnireykjavik
• Xx.com/haskolinn

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about University of Reykjavik