Department of -Computer Science
The Department
The Department of Computer Science at RU is the largest in Iceland, providing extensive opportunities and resources, characterised by its commitment to excellence in teaching and research. The department's faculty are experts in their fields, guiding students through comprehensive research and innovation projects in partnership with national and international research institutions and businesses. We prioritise high teaching quality, ensuring a balance between theoretical knowledge and practical skills in modern technologies and methods.
The bachelor's and master's programmes in the Department of Computer Science have been awarded the European quality certification by ASIIN/EQANIE, the European Quality Assurance Network for Informatics Education. This recognition affirms our commitment to maintaining high standards in informatics education, aligning with the best practices across Europe.
Computer science allows you to take part in the transformation in industry and society. Data science, artificial intelligence, formal methods, programming skills, and creative design of user interfaces are all topics that affect all of us more every day. At RU you can obtain these super-powers and use them to change the world.
Henning Arnór Úlfarsson, department chair.
Research
The Department of Computer Science specialises in diverse fields, including artificial intelligence, databases, software theory, language technology, user interfaces, and theoretical computer science. Research is primarily conducted within specialised facilities, providing students the chance to work on meaningful projects with the guidance of seasoned researchers.
Collaboration is key to our approach, with partnerships extending to national and international institutions, corporations, and other entities. Faculty members invest substantial effort in research, continually enhancing their expertise. Reflecting our commitment to transparency and accountability, the department has initiated its own research agenda and annual reports on its activities.
Main research areas
- Artificial intelligence
- Cyber Security
- Virtual reality
- Language technology
- Human-computer interaction
- Software engineering
- Databases
- FinTech
- Theory of Computer Science
Research centres and labs
Faculty
Part-time lecturers
Akureyri /East
Department Office
The department office does not operate with fixed office hours. Instead, assistance or appointments can be arranged by contacting us via email at td@ru.is.
Collaboration
The department collaborates with a wide range of companies in Iceland and internationally. These partnerships enrich our programmes and provide our students with invaluable real-world experience through internships and project collaborations.
Industry engagement in student final projects
Students in our bachelor’s programmes complete their final projects as group assignments, developed in collaboration with faculty members and, typically, in partnership with various companies. Our students engage with different businesses each year, gaining invaluable exposure to diverse industries and practical work environments.
Internships
We offer a range of internship opportunities, blending academic studies with practical industry experience.
BSc students: We offer a 6 ECTS internship course that allows students to work directly with companies as part of their studies. Notable partners include Islands Banki, Origo, Síminn, Vís, KPMG, and HOPP.
MSc students: Master’s students can enhance their studies by engaging in internships or developing their final MSc thesis with a company.
International internships: Students also have the option to participate in internships abroad through our Erasmus partnerships, offering a chance to work in different cultural settings and expand their professional networks globally.
Internship collaborations: Students within the Department of Computer Science can apply for internships in the United States at the esteemed Fraunhofer Research Institute in Maryland or with Härte- und Oberflächentechnik GmbH & Co, a leading German company based in Nuremberg. See below for further details.
Regional initiative with the University of Akureyri
Reykjavík University partners with the University of Akureyri to offer students in northern Iceland the opportunity to enrol in our BSc programme while studying locally in Akureyri. Students are fully enrolled at Reykjavík University but benefit from a traditional learning environment in Akureyri, where they attend virtual lectures and participate in exercise classes led by local tutors. The programme in Akureyri places a particular emphasis on programming and game design. A dedicated project representative from the University of Akureyri supports students and ensures the smooth running of the programme in the region.
Collaboration with international universities
Partnership with UNICAM
The Department of Computer Science at RU collaborates with the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Camerino (UNICAM) to offer a two-year double degree programme in Computer Science. Through this programme, students can earn a Master's degree in Computer Science (120 ECTS) jointly awarded by RU's Department of Computer Science and UNICAM's Department of Technology and Science.
Exchange partnerships
Our department partners with 87 universities globally, allowing students to study abroad for one or two semesters.
Funding
The International Office facilitates applications for Erasmus grants to support travel and subsistence expenses associated with internships and double degree programmes.

Department Chair
Information for students
You can view your schedule in Canvas once a course has been published. This will be available at least one week before teaching begins.
- Undergraduate studies in the Department of Computer Science (Rules for student enrollment, exam requirements, retaking exams, and study progress)
- Guidelines for Master's programmes in the Department of Computer Science
- Master's degree programmes in artificial intelligence and language technology
- Doctoral Regulations for Computer Science from 2022-2024 (pdf)
- Doctoral Regulations for Computer Science from October 2024 (pdf)
- General study and assessment rules
- Code of Ethics for RU
- AI policy
Transfer between study lines
Students who wish to change their degree programme within the Computer Science Department should email their request to td@ru.is. The relevant curriculum council will review the application.
Please review the attached document for necessary guidance for students interested in switching from engineering to computer science or pursuing degrees in both disciplines. Remember that any changes to your degree path or program customization must receive approval from the Curriculum Council.
Organisation
Department Chair
Henning Arnór Úlfarsson has served as the department chair since 2023.
Councils and committees
There are three key committees addressing programmes, recognition, and curriculum. BSc programmes include the Curriculum Council and the Undergraduate Studies Council. For MSc and PhD programmes, the Research and Graduate Studies Committee is responsible. Requests, including relevant documents from previous studies, should be directed to td@ru.is.
The committee handles requests to evaluate programmes or courses completed at other universities. Submissions, including relevant documents from previous studies, should be emailed to td@ru.is
- Eyrún Eva Haraldsdóttir
- Drífa Skúladóttir
- Steinunn Gróa Sigurðardóttir
- Yngvi Björnsson