Richmond, The American International University in London - Overview
Historic Location Enhances Richmond Students' Cultural Experience
For hundreds of years, Richmond has been a favorite retreat of royalty and the rich and famous. The town center is bursting with shops, restaurants, and a busy night life, which combine to enhance students' university experience. This British setting is also a living museum comprised of historic houses, theaters, castles and galleries rich with exhibits.
First- and second-year students reside and study at the university's Richmond Hill neo-gothic campus, which dates back to 1843. Third- and fourth-year Richmond students study at the school's central London campus in Kensington. The world-renowned Victoria & Albert and Natural History Museums are only a short walk from the Kensington campus. Kensington High Street, with its lively mix of shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs, night clubs, and cinemas, is also just around the corner. Both campuses are easily accessible via London's excellent network of public transportation.
Richmond's Programs Have a Liberal Arts Foundation with an International Perspective
Richmond offers a range of majors. The most popular majors include international business, international relations, art, design and media, history, political science, and psychology.
The international focus of these programs reflects the international experience Richmond students encounter at the school.
Unique Courses Based around Faculty Members' Interests Ensure that the Classroom Is Never Boring
Richmond's faculty members bring their research interests into the classroom at Richmond.
By designing courses that reflect their personal interests, Richmond faculty members are not bound by having to repeat the same curricula time and time again. This ensures that courses are unique and fresh and that professors are engaged in the subject matter and in students' learning.
Richmond Focuses on Students, Helping Them Adjust to College Life and Keeping Classes Small
At Richmond, no student is a number. The average class size at Richmond University is between 15 and 20 students. The university works to maintain this small class size in order to provide individualized attention to students.
This commitment to students extends into Richmond's First Year Program, which is designed to ease students into life at an international university in a global city. The first year seminar courses are meant to be fun (example: Bond and Beyond) and are designed to engage students as active learners, encourage reflection on goals and personal development, and develop core academic skills. Students will come away from these classes with transferrable skills.
Dually Accredited Degrees and International Study Opportunities Contribute to Students' Global Future
Richmond prides itself on the fact that its unique environment allows student to truly learn from an international perspective. A Richmond degree gives a student a lot of options.
This is possible in part because Richmond degrees are accredited in the United States and validated in the United Kingdom, countries that are home to the world's two most highly regarded higher education systems. This dual accreditation ensures that Richmond degrees are acknowledged worldwide.
Additionally, students can bolster their international studies with a semester, year, or summer session in Italy at the university's study centers in Florence and Rome.
Internship Opportunities at Big Companies and Organizations Give Richmond Students an Edge in the Job Market
In an increasingly competitive world, an international internship can be a major advantage when looking to enter the job market.
At Richmond University, internship opportunities combine an academic program with the opportunity to work in a major British or international organization, while also allowing students to earn academic credit toward graduation. Companies in which Richmond students have held internships include CNN, The British Museum, E! Entertainment, the Global Policy Institute, the Travel Channel and the United Nations (to name a few).
Financing Your International Education
There are a number of options available to Richmond students to contribute to the affordability of a university education. Student visas issued to students from the United States allow them to work up to 20 hours per week during the semester, either on or off campus. Students can also apply for merit-based Dean's or Presidential scholarships at up to $12,000 per academic year. The application can be found on our website (www.richmond.ac.uk). Direct Stafford loans, Parent PLUS loans, and private student loans are available for use at Richmond, as well. It is possible to borrow the full cost of your Richmond education through these programs pending the outcome of a credit check.