The Reykjavík University MBA is an intensive two-year executive programme. Participants receive rigorous training in all aspects of business administration, ranging from accounting to finance to strategy and human resource management. Additionally, there is a great deal of emphasis on developing the personal capabilities of participants to make them more effective at leading and influencing people around them.
About the RU MBA
The strength of the Reykjavík University MBA (RU MBA) programme lies in the exceptional quality of both faculty and students, the international nature of the programme, a dynamic learning environment, and strong ties with the business community.
- The MBA at RU is an Executive MBA programme tailored around people who are working.
- All classes are conducted in English.
- Classes take place in the form of compressed modules from Thursday to Saturday every other weekend.
- Most core courses are held during two weekends, and the assessment is done at the end of the module. Therefore there are no final exams in December and May.
- Teaching is every other Thursday from 13:00-18:00, Friday 8:30-17:00 and Saturday 8:30-17:00.
- The Fall semester is from middle of August to middle of December.
- The Spring semester is from early January to early May.
- First year students have the option of attending preparatory courses before commencing the study to get themselves ready.
- Students should plan for at least 30 hours per week on average for studying and attending classes.
- Assessment is based on individual and group projects, class participation, case studies, exams and team evaluations.
During your MBA studies at Reykjavík University you will:
- Work with outstanding teachers, recognized experts in their respective fields that fly in from all over the world
- Strengthen your international perspective
- Gain extensive experience through different teaching methods and active participation in classes
- Succeed in your personal development, working on the very skills that help you to lead and innovate
- Create value for your company by putting to work new experience and skills that you acquire from day one.
Personal Development
When CEOs are asked about the most important characteristics of managers and leaders the most common answers are:
- “Communication and interpersonal skills” (89%)
- “Ability to work well within teams” (87%)
- “Personal ethics and integrity” (85%)
- “Analytical and problem-solving skills” (84%)
(2004 Wall Street Journal survey).
At the same time research shows that the most common complaints from companies when they hire MBAs include:
- “Communication skills”
- “Written skills”
- “Teamwork skills”
- “Creativity”
- “Persuasion and influence”
(“Coaching and Developing Others” (Juan Carlos Pastor, Director of the Center for Global Leadership, 2005)).
In recent years industry recruiters, MBA management faculty, business media and others have noted that even though today´s business graduates have an abundance of technical knowledge and conceptual skills they may be somewhat lacking the interpersonal and social skills necessary to manage and lead people effectively.
This realization has called the attention of all leading MBA schools to the need to purposefully improve the development of the “people skills” of their graduates, and that is why the Personal Development Programme is at the heart of the Reykjavik University MBA programme – starting during orientation week and running until the last class of the programme.
The core focus of the Personal Development Programme is initially on students gaining greater self-understanding. By gaining greater self-understanding and by developing and practicing various interpersonal skills, in addition to getting solid conceptual and technical knowledge and training, Reykjavik University MBA students become better equipped both as individuals and as tomorrow's leaders.
