Háskólinn á Bifröst

Bifröst University is located 30 kilometers north of Borgarnes, Iceland, in the valley of Norurárdalur. Originally a business school, it now provides bachelor's and master's degrees in law and social sciences, as well as a remedial university preparatory course. In 2011, the university had 573 students enrolled. The institution is surrounded by student and staff housing, and it is one of Iceland's two true "campus universities," along with Hólar University College. Many of the enrolled students, however, are engaged in remote learning programs.

The university began as a secondary school called the Cooperative College (Samvinnuskólinn) in Reykjavik in 1918. The Icelandic cooperative movement (Samband slenskra samvinnufélaga) ran the school, which was originally designed as a training college for cooperative store employees and other movement members. In 1955, the school relocated to its current location in Norurárdalur's picturesque countryside. Lake Hreavatn, the waterfall Glanni, and the volcanic cones Grábrók and Grábrókarfell are all within walking distance of campus. The school initially offered a two-year residential retail management curriculum for pupils aged sixteen to eighteen. The school gradually evolved into a university-level institution offering diploma and bachelor's programs in business during the 1980s and 1990s.

In 1998, a tunnel was completed that cut the drive time from Reykjavik to Bifröst in half, changes in Icelandic society raised demand for higher education, and new legislation allowed universities to charge tuition. Bifröst took advantage of these developments, significantly expanding its curriculum and student numbers, and beginning to charge students tuition in addition to receiving state funding.

The name of the university was changed from Bifröst School of Business to Bifröst University in 2006. The school's rector resigned later that year after scandal, which included claims of financial mismanagement.

Háskólinn á Bifröst (Bifröst) offers a variety of courses and programs that lead to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's and master's degrees in a variety of fields. This 102-year-old Icelandic university has a strict admission procedure based on students' previous academic records and ratings. The admittance rate for this Icelandic higher education institution is 30-40%, making it a fairly selective university. Students from all around the world are welcome to apply for admission. Students at Bifröst have access to a library, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning options, and administrative services, among other academic and non-academic facilities and services.

Name: Bifröst University
Acronym: Bifröst
Founded: 1918
Motto: Small and personal
Colours: Blue
Website: https://www.bifrost.is/

Country rank: 4
World rank: 5263