Overview
Historic Location Enhances Richmond Students' Cultural Experience, Combined with Historic University Housing
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, 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 offers a range of programs of study. The most popular majors include international business, international relations, art, design and media, history, political science, and psychology.
The school is introducing a new program of study in the fall of 2009, allowing students to major in international journalism and media. The international focus of this program reflects the international experience Richmond students encounter at the school. Like Richmond's other programs, this program is founded in an American-style liberal arts curriculum, blending a well-rounded knowledge base with an international approach to the subject matter.
Unique Courses Based around Faculty Members' Interests Ensure that the Classroom Is Never Boring
Members of Richmond's faculty bring their research interests into an intimate and dynamic classroom environment. Dr. Alex Seago, for example, conducts research analyzing the politics of a global popular culture. "Burning the Box of Beautiful Things" is a study of popular culture, art, and design which emphasizes the complexities and unpredictability of cultural change.
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 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
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 more individualized attention to students.
This commitment to students extends to Richmond's First Year Program, which is designed to facilitate successful student transition to the academic, social, and cultural challenges of an international university in a global city. Multidisciplinary first year seminars engage students as active learners, encourage reflection on goals and personal development, and develop core academic skills. Students are able to take these skills beyond Richmond to develop successful futures.
Dually Accredited Degrees and International Study Opportunities Contribute to Students' Global Future
Richmond prides itself on the fact that its unique blend of internationalism and American education allows each student to develop a global future. This is possible in part because Richmond degrees are accredited in the United States and validated in the United Kingdom, the 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 complement their studies in London with a semester, year, or summer session in Italy at the university's international study centers in Florence and Rome, contributing to the international quality of a Richmond education.
Internship Opportunities at Big Companies and Organizations Give Richmond Students Valuable Work Experience
In an increasingly competitive world, a well-organized internship represents a major advantage in the graduate job market, especially when that experience is gained in London, which is the world's leading business and financial center.
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 towards graduation. Companies in which Richmond students have held internships include Radisson Edwardian Hotels, The British Museum, and the United Nations, to name a few.
Part-Time Jobs, Scholarships, and Loans Allow Students to Focus on Education, not on Tuition
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. Stafford loans, 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.
