This programme explores project management in international companies, with a strategic focus.
The programme is made up of eight courses and a final thesis and can be completed in one year. The language of instruction is English.
The programme is 90 ECTS and is organised as one year of full-time study.
Block teaching is used, with each block lasting seven weeks. There are two blocks per semester, with two courses taught concurrently, making a total of 8 courses over two semesters. This system allows students to concentrate on each course more effectively. The final thesis is written over the summer and submitted in September. Students graduate in October.
This programme is taught fully in English and textbooks are in English. International applicants who do not speak English as a native language may have to submit evidence of English proficiency. More about English Proficiency Requirements under Helpful content below.
After completing the programme, students should, for example:
Completing the programme allows a student to apply for doctoral studies.
BA, B.Ed or BS degree. As a general rule, applicants shall have completed their undergraduate studies with a first-class GPA (7.25 or above). All international applicants, whose native language is not English, are required to provide results of the TOEFL (79) or IELTS (6.5) tests as evidence of English proficiency.
NOTE: At the University Council meeting on 4 December 2025, it was approved that in the academic year 2026–2027, the number of new students from outside the EEA, excluding Switzerland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, will be limited to a maximum of 30.
If the number of applicants for the program who meet the admission requirements exceeds the available places, the selection of students shall be based on the following criteria:
90 ECTS credits have to be completed for the qualification. Courses are 60 ECTS credits and thesis of 30 ECTS.
Non-Icelandic applicants with a degree from another country must submit evidence of English proficiency if their native language is not English.
Minimum score: TOEFL 79, IELTS 6.5 or PTE 58.
Further information on supporting documents can be found here
Check below to see how the programme is structured.
This programme does not offer specialisations.
Global Leadership develops students’ ability to lead and make responsible decisions in multinational and transnational settings. The course critically examines major global leadership theories and models, comparing their assumptions and applying them to complex organizational contexts shaped by culture and institutional environments. Students analyze the cross-cultural and other forces that influence how global organizations operate, and learn to design evidence-based approaches to stakeholder engagement and responsible decision-making.
Through multicultural simulations and team projects, students practice advanced interpersonal and team leadership skills—adapting leadership style based on feedback, building inclusive high-performing teams, and managing conflict across borders.
Performance management is a central part of every organisation and project. It helps to ensure our actions are aligned with our strategic priorities. This course will help students to connect the dots between strategic and operational levels in work settings, and how performance management philosophies and frameworks can be used by leaders and managers to ensure the achievement of our strategic objectives.
This course relies on case studies and in-class activities to take students as close as it is possible in a classroom setting to real-life scenarios where performance management can be used to support decision making towards achieving success.
This course follows a hybrid structure. Half of the course is delivered online—students are provided flexibility and can watch pre-recorded lecture videos at their convenience. However, no later than indicated in the teaching plan.
The rest of the course material will be delivered in workshops that will be held on-campus, and must be attended in-person by the enrolled students. These workshops account for up to 70% of the grade (course assessments).
Qualitative Methods is a graduate course that provides students with an introduction to some of the most commonly used qualitative methods and methodological tools in political science. The main focus in the course is on case studies (including process tracing) and various tools and techniques used within case studies, e.g., interviewing, focus groups, and qualitative content analysis. One part of the course is also dedicated to discourse analysis. The course begins with a very brief introduction to philosophy of science and outlines basic ontological, epistemological and methodological issues in the social sciences. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the philosophical underpinnings, assumptions and ambitions of the different methods, but they will also gain practical experience as to the design and execution of research within the different traditions.
The course design aims to stimulate active student participation. Students are expected to have done the mandatory reading for each day and to be ready to participate in group work and discussions in class. The course features two distinct types of classes, specifically lecture & discussion classes and workshops. Nine of the thirteen classes are in the form of lecture & discussion classes and will be divided into two parts: a lecture by the lecturer (2 x approx. 40 minutes) and a student-led discussion session, consisting of 20 minutes of group work and 20 minutes of general discussion. The remaining four sessions are taught in the form of workshops. For these, the class will be divided into two groups (A and B) at the beginning of the semester. The workshop for group A will take place from 10:00 to 11:00, the workshop for group B from 11:15 to 12:15 on the day in question. In these workshops, students will work on practical examples connected to the respective topics of the day.
The goal of the course is to give students insight into qualitative research methods, and their use in gathering and analysing data on the individual and organizational level. Students will be trained in defining a research problems and presenting them in a research question. Students will further plan and execute data gathering and analysing, as well as presenting the findings in a written report. Students will learn about the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research so as to be able to choose the best method to study a given problem.
The course emphasizes international projects and the management of project portfolios. Issues covered in Project management I/Project Management Methodology are covered in more depth and in relation to international projects and project portfolios. First, emphasis is put on the management of many projects at the same time, including project portfolio management, program management and the project management office. Second, emphasis is put on the management of international projects or project portfolios in international companies. The course emphasizes that students work together on projects and get to know project management in the Icelandic economy.
This course follows a hybrid structure. Half of the course is delivered online—students are provided flexibility and can watch pre-recorded lecture videos at their convenience. However, no later than indicated in the teaching plan.
The rest of the course material will be delivered in workshops that will be held on-campus, and must be attended in-person by the enrolled students.
This course deals with the internationalization of firms, the global trade environment, strategic management of international firms, intercultural communication and other issues of international business. In the course cases and articles from scholarly journals will be used. The students will also carry out project work and in-class assignments, participate in discussions of cases etc. In this course students are expected to be very active in discussions and the course will be taught in English.
The topic of the master's thesis must be chosen after consulting the thesis advisor(s), who must be full-time faculty at the School of Business.
The thesis must equal 30 credits and coursework shall equal 60 credits to fulfill the requirements for applying to the research study fund (Rannsóknanámssjóður). The thesis must be presented at a departmental seminar.The thesis must be submitted online no later than the specified dates before each graduation. Grades for a master's thesis are awarded by the thesis advisor(s) and an external examiner.
Please note! According to the rules of the University of Iceland, all MA theses must be open after they have been submitted to the University Library. If a student wishes for its MA thesis be closed for a certain period of time, after graduation, they need the approval of their supervisor and the dean of the department. Maximum closure is 5 years. It is preferable to apply for the authorization before writing the thesis.
Application for closing master's thesis.
The topic of the master's thesis must be chosen after consulting the thesis advisor(s), who must be full-time faculty at the School of Business.
The thesis must equal 30 credits and coursework shall equal 60 credits to fulfill the requirements for applying to the research study fund (Rannsóknanámssjóður). The thesis must be presented at a departmental seminar.The thesis must be submitted online no later than the specified dates before each graduation. Grades for a master's thesis are awarded by the thesis advisor(s) and an external examiner.
Please note! According to the rules of the University of Iceland, all MA theses must be open after they have been submitted to the University Library. If a student wishes for its MA thesis be closed for a certain period of time, after graduation, they need the approval of their supervisor and the dean of the department. Maximum closure is 5 years. It is preferable to apply for the authorization before writing the thesis.
Application for closing master's thesis.
The topic of the master's thesis must be chosen after consulting the thesis advisor(s), who must be full-time faculty at the School of Business.
The thesis must equal 30 credits and coursework shall equal 60 credits to fulfill the requirements for applying to the research study fund (Rannsóknanámssjóður). The thesis must be presented at a departmental seminar.The thesis must be submitted online no later than the specified dates before each graduation. Grades for a master's thesis are awarded by the thesis advisor(s) and an external examiner.
Please note! According to the rules of the University of Iceland, all MA theses must be open after they have been submitted to the University Library. If a student wishes for its MA thesis be closed for a certain period of time, after graduation, they need the approval of their supervisor and the dean of the department. Maximum closure is 5 years. It is preferable to apply for the authorization before writing the thesis.
Application for closing master's thesis.
Global Leadership develops students’ ability to lead and make responsible decisions in multinational and transnational settings. The course critically examines major global leadership theories and models, comparing their assumptions and applying them to complex organizational contexts shaped by culture and institutional environments. Students analyze the cross-cultural and other forces that influence how global organizations operate, and learn to design evidence-based approaches to stakeholder engagement and responsible decision-making.
Through multicultural simulations and team projects, students practice advanced interpersonal and team leadership skills—adapting leadership style based on feedback, building inclusive high-performing teams, and managing conflict across borders.
Performance management is a central part of every organisation and project. It helps to ensure our actions are aligned with our strategic priorities. This course will help students to connect the dots between strategic and operational levels in work settings, and how performance management philosophies and frameworks can be used by leaders and managers to ensure the achievement of our strategic objectives.
This course relies on case studies and in-class activities to take students as close as it is possible in a classroom setting to real-life scenarios where performance management can be used to support decision making towards achieving success.
This course follows a hybrid structure. Half of the course is delivered online—students are provided flexibility and can watch pre-recorded lecture videos at their convenience. However, no later than indicated in the teaching plan.
The rest of the course material will be delivered in workshops that will be held on-campus, and must be attended in-person by the enrolled students. These workshops account for up to 70% of the grade (course assessments).
Qualitative Methods is a graduate course that provides students with an introduction to some of the most commonly used qualitative methods and methodological tools in political science. The main focus in the course is on case studies (including process tracing) and various tools and techniques used within case studies, e.g., interviewing, focus groups, and qualitative content analysis. One part of the course is also dedicated to discourse analysis. The course begins with a very brief introduction to philosophy of science and outlines basic ontological, epistemological and methodological issues in the social sciences. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the philosophical underpinnings, assumptions and ambitions of the different methods, but they will also gain practical experience as to the design and execution of research within the different traditions.
The course design aims to stimulate active student participation. Students are expected to have done the mandatory reading for each day and to be ready to participate in group work and discussions in class. The course features two distinct types of classes, specifically lecture & discussion classes and workshops. Nine of the thirteen classes are in the form of lecture & discussion classes and will be divided into two parts: a lecture by the lecturer (2 x approx. 40 minutes) and a student-led discussion session, consisting of 20 minutes of group work and 20 minutes of general discussion. The remaining four sessions are taught in the form of workshops. For these, the class will be divided into two groups (A and B) at the beginning of the semester. The workshop for group A will take place from 10:00 to 11:00, the workshop for group B from 11:15 to 12:15 on the day in question. In these workshops, students will work on practical examples connected to the respective topics of the day.
The goal of the course is to give students insight into qualitative research methods, and their use in gathering and analysing data on the individual and organizational level. Students will be trained in defining a research problems and presenting them in a research question. Students will further plan and execute data gathering and analysing, as well as presenting the findings in a written report. Students will learn about the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research so as to be able to choose the best method to study a given problem.
The course emphasizes international projects and the management of project portfolios. Issues covered in Project management I/Project Management Methodology are covered in more depth and in relation to international projects and project portfolios. First, emphasis is put on the management of many projects at the same time, including project portfolio management, program management and the project management office. Second, emphasis is put on the management of international projects or project portfolios in international companies. The course emphasizes that students work together on projects and get to know project management in the Icelandic economy.
This course follows a hybrid structure. Half of the course is delivered online—students are provided flexibility and can watch pre-recorded lecture videos at their convenience. However, no later than indicated in the teaching plan.
The rest of the course material will be delivered in workshops that will be held on-campus, and must be attended in-person by the enrolled students.
This course deals with the internationalization of firms, the global trade environment, strategic management of international firms, intercultural communication and other issues of international business. In the course cases and articles from scholarly journals will be used. The students will also carry out project work and in-class assignments, participate in discussions of cases etc. In this course students are expected to be very active in discussions and the course will be taught in English.
The topic of the master's thesis must be chosen after consulting the thesis advisor(s), who must be full-time faculty at the School of Business.
The thesis must equal 30 credits and coursework shall equal 60 credits to fulfill the requirements for applying to the research study fund (Rannsóknanámssjóður). The thesis must be presented at a departmental seminar.The thesis must be submitted online no later than the specified dates before each graduation. Grades for a master's thesis are awarded by the thesis advisor(s) and an external examiner.
Please note! According to the rules of the University of Iceland, all MA theses must be open after they have been submitted to the University Library. If a student wishes for its MA thesis be closed for a certain period of time, after graduation, they need the approval of their supervisor and the dean of the department. Maximum closure is 5 years. It is preferable to apply for the authorization before writing the thesis.
Application for closing master's thesis.
The topic of the master's thesis must be chosen after consulting the thesis advisor(s), who must be full-time faculty at the School of Business.
The thesis must equal 30 credits and coursework shall equal 60 credits to fulfill the requirements for applying to the research study fund (Rannsóknanámssjóður). The thesis must be presented at a departmental seminar.The thesis must be submitted online no later than the specified dates before each graduation. Grades for a master's thesis are awarded by the thesis advisor(s) and an external examiner.
Please note! According to the rules of the University of Iceland, all MA theses must be open after they have been submitted to the University Library. If a student wishes for its MA thesis be closed for a certain period of time, after graduation, they need the approval of their supervisor and the dean of the department. Maximum closure is 5 years. It is preferable to apply for the authorization before writing the thesis.
Application for closing master's thesis.
The topic of the master's thesis must be chosen after consulting the thesis advisor(s), who must be full-time faculty at the School of Business.
The thesis must equal 30 credits and coursework shall equal 60 credits to fulfill the requirements for applying to the research study fund (Rannsóknanámssjóður). The thesis must be presented at a departmental seminar.The thesis must be submitted online no later than the specified dates before each graduation. Grades for a master's thesis are awarded by the thesis advisor(s) and an external examiner.
Please note! According to the rules of the University of Iceland, all MA theses must be open after they have been submitted to the University Library. If a student wishes for its MA thesis be closed for a certain period of time, after graduation, they need the approval of their supervisor and the dean of the department. Maximum closure is 5 years. It is preferable to apply for the authorization before writing the thesis.
Application for closing master's thesis.
Global Leadership develops students’ ability to lead and make responsible decisions in multinational and transnational settings. The course critically examines major global leadership theories and models, comparing their assumptions and applying them to complex organizational contexts shaped by culture and institutional environments. Students analyze the cross-cultural and other forces that influence how global organizations operate, and learn to design evidence-based approaches to stakeholder engagement and responsible decision-making.
Through multicultural simulations and team projects, students practice advanced interpersonal and team leadership skills—adapting leadership style based on feedback, building inclusive high-performing teams, and managing conflict across borders.
Performance management is a central part of every organisation and project. It helps to ensure our actions are aligned with our strategic priorities. This course will help students to connect the dots between strategic and operational levels in work settings, and how performance management philosophies and frameworks can be used by leaders and managers to ensure the achievement of our strategic objectives.
This course relies on case studies and in-class activities to take students as close as it is possible in a classroom setting to real-life scenarios where performance management can be used to support decision making towards achieving success.
This course follows a hybrid structure. Half of the course is delivered online—students are provided flexibility and can watch pre-recorded lecture videos at their convenience. However, no later than indicated in the teaching plan.
The rest of the course material will be delivered in workshops that will be held on-campus, and must be attended in-person by the enrolled students. These workshops account for up to 70% of the grade (course assessments).
Qualitative Methods is a graduate course that provides students with an introduction to some of the most commonly used qualitative methods and methodological tools in political science. The main focus in the course is on case studies (including process tracing) and various tools and techniques used within case studies, e.g., interviewing, focus groups, and qualitative content analysis. One part of the course is also dedicated to discourse analysis. The course begins with a very brief introduction to philosophy of science and outlines basic ontological, epistemological and methodological issues in the social sciences. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the philosophical underpinnings, assumptions and ambitions of the different methods, but they will also gain practical experience as to the design and execution of research within the different traditions.
The course design aims to stimulate active student participation. Students are expected to have done the mandatory reading for each day and to be ready to participate in group work and discussions in class. The course features two distinct types of classes, specifically lecture & discussion classes and workshops. Nine of the thirteen classes are in the form of lecture & discussion classes and will be divided into two parts: a lecture by the lecturer (2 x approx. 40 minutes) and a student-led discussion session, consisting of 20 minutes of group work and 20 minutes of general discussion. The remaining four sessions are taught in the form of workshops. For these, the class will be divided into two groups (A and B) at the beginning of the semester. The workshop for group A will take place from 10:00 to 11:00, the workshop for group B from 11:15 to 12:15 on the day in question. In these workshops, students will work on practical examples connected to the respective topics of the day.
The goal of the course is to give students insight into qualitative research methods, and their use in gathering and analysing data on the individual and organizational level. Students will be trained in defining a research problems and presenting them in a research question. Students will further plan and execute data gathering and analysing, as well as presenting the findings in a written report. Students will learn about the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research so as to be able to choose the best method to study a given problem.
The course emphasizes international projects and the management of project portfolios. Issues covered in Project management I/Project Management Methodology are covered in more depth and in relation to international projects and project portfolios. First, emphasis is put on the management of many projects at the same time, including project portfolio management, program management and the project management office. Second, emphasis is put on the management of international projects or project portfolios in international companies. The course emphasizes that students work together on projects and get to know project management in the Icelandic economy.
This course follows a hybrid structure. Half of the course is delivered online—students are provided flexibility and can watch pre-recorded lecture videos at their convenience. However, no later than indicated in the teaching plan.
The rest of the course material will be delivered in workshops that will be held on-campus, and must be attended in-person by the enrolled students.
This course deals with the internationalization of firms, the global trade environment, strategic management of international firms, intercultural communication and other issues of international business. In the course cases and articles from scholarly journals will be used. The students will also carry out project work and in-class assignments, participate in discussions of cases etc. In this course students are expected to be very active in discussions and the course will be taught in English.
The topic of the master's thesis must be chosen after consulting the thesis advisor(s), who must be full-time faculty at the School of Business.
The thesis must equal 30 credits and coursework shall equal 60 credits to fulfill the requirements for applying to the research study fund (Rannsóknanámssjóður). The thesis must be presented at a departmental seminar.The thesis must be submitted online no later than the specified dates before each graduation. Grades for a master's thesis are awarded by the thesis advisor(s) and an external examiner.
Please note! According to the rules of the University of Iceland, all MA theses must be open after they have been submitted to the University Library. If a student wishes for its MA thesis be closed for a certain period of time, after graduation, they need the approval of their supervisor and the dean of the department. Maximum closure is 5 years. It is preferable to apply for the authorization before writing the thesis.
Application for closing master's thesis.
The topic of the master's thesis must be chosen after consulting the thesis advisor(s), who must be full-time faculty at the School of Business.
The thesis must equal 30 credits and coursework shall equal 60 credits to fulfill the requirements for applying to the research study fund (Rannsóknanámssjóður). The thesis must be presented at a departmental seminar.The thesis must be submitted online no later than the specified dates before each graduation. Grades for a master's thesis are awarded by the thesis advisor(s) and an external examiner.
Please note! According to the rules of the University of Iceland, all MA theses must be open after they have been submitted to the University Library. If a student wishes for its MA thesis be closed for a certain period of time, after graduation, they need the approval of their supervisor and the dean of the department. Maximum closure is 5 years. It is preferable to apply for the authorization before writing the thesis.
Application for closing master's thesis.
The topic of the master's thesis must be chosen after consulting the thesis advisor(s), who must be full-time faculty at the School of Business.
The thesis must equal 30 credits and coursework shall equal 60 credits to fulfill the requirements for applying to the research study fund (Rannsóknanámssjóður). The thesis must be presented at a departmental seminar.The thesis must be submitted online no later than the specified dates before each graduation. Grades for a master's thesis are awarded by the thesis advisor(s) and an external examiner.
Please note! According to the rules of the University of Iceland, all MA theses must be open after they have been submitted to the University Library. If a student wishes for its MA thesis be closed for a certain period of time, after graduation, they need the approval of their supervisor and the dean of the department. Maximum closure is 5 years. It is preferable to apply for the authorization before writing the thesis.
Application for closing master's thesis.
Changes may occur for the autumn semester in August and September and for the spring semester in December and January. You will find your final timetable in Ugla when the studies start.
Note! This timetable is not suitable for planning your work schedule if you are a part-time employee.
The University of Iceland collaborates with over 400 universities worldwide. This provides a unique opportunity to pursue part of your studies at an international university thus gaining added experience and fresh insight into your field of study.
Students generally have the opportunity to join an exchange programme, internship, or summer courses. However, exchanges are always subject to faculty approval.
Students have the opportunity to have courses evaluated as part of their studies at the University of Iceland, so their stay does not have to affect the duration of their studies.
An education in this area can open up opportunities in:
This list is not exhaustive.
What interests you?
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If you still have questions, feel free to contact us.
The School office offers support to students and lecturers, providing guidance, counselling, and assistance with various matters.
You are welcome to drop by at the office in Gimli or you can book an online meeting in Teams with the staff.
