School of Social Sciences

Reykjavik University's School of Social Sciences provides students with a solid foundation in methodology, as well as hands-on learning that prepares students for the challenges they face after graduation.

The School offers study programmes in law, business administration, economics, psychology, and sport science, in four departments. Courses are at BSc and MSc level, as well as PhD. Most MSc programmes are taught in English.

Researchers at the School of Social Sciences have a strong track record in research and, in some fields, they have considerable global impact, such as through PlanetYouth, an international effort focusing on substance abuse prevention. The main areas of research within the School are business, finance, eco- nomics, management, innovation and entrepreneurship, health psychology, development psychology, clinical psychology, cognitive and neuropsychology, domestic and international law, performance analysis and evaluation of sports and psychological and sociological factors in sport. Researchers and educators at the School of Social Sciences cooperate with researchers at a large number of international and domestic universities, including, of course, the RU School of Technology, as evidenced by e.g. Sleep Research.

Researchers at the School are often engaged in public discussion and policymaking in Icelandic society and frequently make their expertise available to the media and the general public, in accordance with the strategy of the University.

Dr. Bryndís Björk Ásgeirsdóttir is Dean of the School of Social Sciences.

Department of Business


Tveir nemar standa upp við glervegg í HR

In the activities of the Department of Business Administration, emphasis is placed on excellent teaching, varied teaching methods, student participation, high-quality research and publication in accredited, international science journals, good connections with industry and society through practical projects, internships and the involvement of part-time teachers from industry, caring for the well-being of the students, co-workers and society.

The Department has been a member of the United Nations Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME) network since 2012. The MBA programme has AMBA accreditation and the BSc programme has EFMD accreditation. 

Undergraduate programmes

  • Business Administration, BSc

  • Business Administration with Computer Science minor, BSc

  • Business Administration with Law minor, BSc

  • Economics and Finance, BSc

  • Economics and Management, BSc

Graduate programmes

  • Accounting and Auditing, MACC

  • Business Management, MSc/MBM

  • Corporate Finance, MSc/MCF

  • Executive MBA

  • Human Resource Management and Organizational Psychology, MSc/MHRM

  • Information Management, MSc/MIM

  • Innovation Management, MSc/MINN

  • Marketing, MSc/MM

  • Tourism and Hospitality Management, MSc/MTHM

  • Business Administration, PhD 


Department of Law

Nemandi skoðar bók á bókasafni HR

The Department of Law provides students with a solid theoretical foundation, extensive knowledge of key subjects, and the possibility of studying individual fields in considerable depth. Teaching is in the form of lectures, practical projects, and discussion sessions.

The Department offers law studies at undergraduate, graduate, and PhD levels. Undergraduate courses are taught in Icelandic, but many courses at graduate level are available in English.

Undergraduate programmes

  • Law, BA

  • Law with Business minor, BA

Graduate programmes

  • Law, ML

  • Law, PhD 


Department of Psychology 

Nemandi situr á bekk á kaffihúsinu í Sólinni

The Department of Psychology aims to deliver undergraduate and postgraduate programmes of learning that meet the highest academic standards, satisfy the requirements of statutory and professional regulations, are well-received by students, attractive to prospective students, and relevant to the needs of the community.

The Department offers students a BSc programme in psychology and two MSc programmes, one in Applied Behaviour Analysis and one in Clinical Psychology, for those students that wish to become certified psychologists.

The course sequence in the MSc psychology programme is approved by the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

The PhD programme in the Department was introduced in 2014. Since then, a steady stream of applications has been received from prospective doctoral candidates with diverse academic backgrounds, from domestic and international universities. Currently, 16 students are registered in the PhD programme. 

Undergraduate programmes

  • Psychology, BSc

Graduate programmes

  • Applied Behaviour Analysis, MSc

  • Clinical Psychology, MSc

  • Psychology, PhD 


Department of Sport Science 

Nemendur við íþróttafræðideild í verklegum mælingartíma

The Department of Sport Science offers ambitious under- graduate and graduate studies which provide students with a fundamental knowledge of sports and sport science and the roles and activities undertaken by sports scientists, e.g. as physical education teachers, and directors of sports. The master's programmes are intended for leaders, coaches, teachers and other professionals who seek in-depth knowledge in

the field of sports coaching, teaching, sports/PE teaching in schools and fitness centres. 

Undergraduate programmes

  • Sport Science, BSc

Graduate programmes

  • Exercise Science and Coaching, MSc

  • Exercise Science, Coaching and Sport Management, MSc, with Molde University College

  • Sports Health Education, Med 

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