US students
How to apply
Start your undergraduate application, apply to us direct or the Common App and simply apply to us direct to study at postgraduate level
Apply for undergraduate programs
There are two ways in which undergraduate students from the United States can apply to Richmond. Choose one of the options below to find out more information and to make an application.
About our undergraduate programs
Every undergraduate student will first enter our Liberal Arts programme before specialising in their Major. As such, the entry requirements for all undergraduate programmes at Richmond are the same, regardless of your chosen Major.
Student visas
- If you need a Student visa visa to study in the UK, and are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then you will need to provide evidence of your English language ability. This should be an Academic IELTS test taken within the last two years with a score of at least 5.5 in each element. Majority English speaking countries are Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and USA.
- If you do not need a Student visa to study in the UK, but you come from a country where English is not the native language, then we can accept a wider variety of English language tests as evidence of your English proficiency.
Direct Application (no fee)
For students who prefer to apply to us directly, please submit the Direct Online Application for Admission.
If you have any problems completing your online application, please contact us: usadmissions@richmond.ac.uk.
The Common Application
Many students from the US prefer to use the Common App because of their 35 years of experience.
Search for us on the Common App:
- “Richmond University”
- “Richmond University in London”
- “Richmond, The American International University in London”
Alternative application
US students looking to apply to multiple UK universities can apply via the UCAS application. Students applying by UCAS will need to submit their application information directly to UCAS. Visit the UCAS website for more information.
When applying, please note our UCAS institution code is R20.
Apply for Master’s programs:
There are two ways students can apply for Master’s level programmes here at Richmond. You can apply directly to us which carries no application fee or you can apply via the UCAS postgraduate application service.
Direct Application (no fee)
For students who prefer to apply to us directly, please submit the Direct Online Application for Admission.
If you have any problems completing your online application, please contact us: usadmissions@richmond.ac.uk.
About our Master’s programs:
Master’s programs are one-year (full-time) postgraduate level programs designed to prepare candidates for careers in their desired field of study. For this purpose, innovative courses on contemporary issues are taught, opportunity for practical application is fostered, and seminars are conducted by leading guest speakers. These complementing and supporting elements combine to create a learning opportunity that is profoundly challenging and awakening.
Richmond’s Master’s programs are based at our Kensington facility, a vibrant area of central London, providing easy access to the Capital’s arts, cultural, political, and business sectors – especially valuable for the workplace internships which are an integral element of the Master’s programs.
Master’s students at Richmond will study for either an MBA or a Master of Arts degree. Richmond is Accredited in the US by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Richmond is also registered in the US as a not-for-profit corporation.
Additional information
Admissions policy
The admissions process is a multi-step team approach. Typically, applications are reviewed by the Postgraduate Applications Review Committee which consists of the Programme Director and the Head of Admissions. These parties will be responsible for deciding upon all matters pertaining to this area.
Applications are reviewed holistically. Applications are not eliminated for admission based on test scores, nationality, gender, ethnicity or other factors. Each criterion is considered to provide a holistic picture of an applicant’s qualifications. This process allows the committee to select those candidates most likely to be successful in our Programmes.
For more information visit our University Policies webpage.
Advanced Credit and Transfer Students
The term ‘Advanced Credit’ refers to courses at the equivalent level to first-year US university level study, but taken at a secondary or high school rather than at a university. Examples include: the International Baccalaureate, UK AS and A-levels, US Advanced Placement exams, Indian Secondary/Senior School Certificate at Grade XII, German Abitur, French Baccalauréat.
*Advanced Credit:
Students meeting this standard in relevant subjects will normally be given exemption from introductory courses and may complete the degree programme in less than four years. See the ABMA Advanced Early Qualifications link (below) for advanced entry details for students holding ABMA qualifications. Candidates with US High School Diplomas or other entry qualifications can be considered for entry to year 1 of the 4-year degree programmes. ABMA Advanced Entry Qualifications
Students with Advanced Standing:
A student who has passed an Advanced Placement Test will be given six credits for each subject in which a grade 3,4 or 5 is achieved. A student who has passed an A level (advanced level) examination will be given nine credits for each subject in which a grade of A, B or C is achieved. Six credits will be given for a grade of D or E. Students with advanced qualifications may be awarded course credit towards the BA or BS degree. Examples are the International Baccalaureate, the Baccalauréat de l’Enseignement du Second Degré (France), the Abitur/Reifzeugnis (Germany), the Diploma di Maturità (Italy), and the School Leaving Diploma from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.
“Transfer Student” would be a student who has studied previously at a university and is looking to transfer from their current institution to Richmond to earn their degree at Richmond.
The process:
Once a student applies for Admission to Richmond, the Academic Registry assesses your academic record to consider all courses for possible transfer credit, ensuring that you receive the most useful credits to you at Richmond. This means that you can enter the university having already completed some courses from your Richmond degree.
Note: The amount of transfer credits that you receive will depend on your choice of Richmond major and how this fits with the subjects you have previously taken at university level study.
Up to 30 credits may be awarded for advanced level qualifications, and students receive credit for specific Richmond courses (modules), meaning that they have already earned credit towards their Richmond degree.
For AP exams, scores need to be at 3 or higher.
For IB, scores need to be at 4 or higher.
For A-levels at grades A-C, nine credits are awarded per subject, and for grades D-E, six credits per subject. Stand-alone AS levels passed at grade C or higher are eligible for three credits per subject.
Students who are taking A-levels, IB or AP exams may consult the following chart to find the Richmond course equivalents to their course subjects:
Course equivalent charts for A-levels, IB and AP exams
Provisional transfer credits may be initially awarded, if the academic documentation is received in an unofficial form (for example: on-line results). In such cases, transfer credits will not be officially granted until and unless official documentation is received. This may also happen with provisional results from university transcripts, IB or A-level grades, where the official transcripts, diplomas and certificates are not produced until later in the year.
Council of International Schools
The Council of International Schools (CIS) is the leading organizing body in International Education for the accreditation of schools and in the development of best practice in education standards and development. Richmond, the American International University in London has been a proud and active member since 1972. As a member we uphold the same standards of international education and service to our students as championed by the Council and as practiced amongst all member schools.
The central purpose of CIS is to enable member organizations to achieve and deliver the highest standards in International Education and continually improve the outcome of student learning.
Here are some aspects of CIS membership services:
CIS Accreditation Service
Sets and develops standards for international education worldwide and manages the accreditation process.
CIS Teacher Recruitment Service
Assists schools in recruiting quality staff, and helps teacher candidates to find rewarding employment.
CIS Leadership/Governance Services
Assists schools in selecting the key players to fill senior positions, while assisting school boards and heads to work together efficiently and constructively.
CIS and Richmond
Most if not all CIS members have sent students to us, and many of those students have earned scholarships at Richmond. We believe passionately that if students are looking to extend their international education, here at Richmond we offer an obvious choice for higher education.
Uniquely positioned for a world that is becoming more interconnected and interdependent, Richmond’s dual accreditation and flexible academic programs develop the whole person for positions of international influence after University.
International Baccalaureate Resources
As an International Baccalaureate student deciding on a university, you are undoubtedly faced with numerous questions about how to continue your international education. Wehope you will find these pages provide straightforward answers. We think you’ll quickly discover how Richmond’s offering of an American education in a British setting will prepare you for a global future beyond compare.
The liberal arts curriculum offered at Richmond works hand in hand with the IB program, to enable a smooth transition from secondary school to university studies. This is why over the years Richmond has become an attractive destination for IB students from around the world, with 30% of our student population coming from IB schools.
If we can be of any assistance to you do not hesitate to contact our Admissions Office by email at: admissions@richmond.ac.uk
Advanced University Credit Offered for the IB Diploma and Certificates
Students with advanced qualifications may be awarded course credit towards completion of degrees after review by the Academic Registry. Typically, these students are granted exemption from some courses in the Richmond Core Curriculum or for lower-division courses in their majors.
International Baccalaureate credits are determined by the guidelines outlined by the International Baccalaureate Organization. The IB awards six credits for grades of 4-7 on higher level International Baccalaureate (IB) subject examinations; three credits are awarded for grades of 4-7 on subsidiary level IB subject examinations. No credit is awarded for grades less than 4. Last year, students admitted to Richmond University had an average score of 33.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit Awards
| IB SUBJECT (GRADES 4, 5, 6, or 7) | SL (3 cr) | HL (6 cr) |
| Art/Design | ADM 103 | ADM 103/110 |
| Biology | BIO 113/4 | BIO 113/4 |
| Business & Management | ECN 103 | ECN 103 |
| Chemistry | CHM 113/4 | CHM 113/4 |
| Classical Latin | ELECTIVE | ELECTIVE |
| Computer Science | CSC 121 | CSC 107/121 |
| Design Technology | SCI ELECTIVE | SCI ELECTIVE |
| Economics | ECN 211 | ECN 210/211 |
| English A1 or A2 | ENG 111 | ENG 111/LIT 200 |
| Environmental Systems | ENV 150/1 | ENV 150/1 |
| French B | FRN 111/112 | FRN 111/112 |
| Geography | ENV 101 | ENV 101 |
| German B | ELECTIVE | ELECTIVE |
| History | HST ELECTIVE | HST ELECTIVE |
| History of the Americas | HST 235 | HST 235/6 |
| History of Europe | HST ELECTIVE | HST ELECTIVE |
| Info Tech in a Global Society | CSC/SCL 215 | CSC/SCL 215 + ELECTIVE |
| Math, Advanced | MTH 117 | MTH 117 + ELECTIVE |
| Math Methods | MTH 105 | MTH 105/115 |
| Math Studies | MTH ELECTIVE | MTH ELECTIVE |
| Music | ELECTIVE | ELECTIVE |
| Philosophy | PHL 203 | PHL 203 + ELECTIVE |
| Physics | PHY 123/124 | PHY 123/124 |
| Psychology | PSY 150 | PSY 150/205 |
| Russian | ELECTIVE | ELECTIVE |
| Social Anthropology | ANT 150 | ANT 150 + ELECTIVE |
| Spanish B | SPN 111/112 | SPN 111/112 |
| Theatre Arts | THR 204 | THR 105/204 |
| Visual Arts | ADM 103 | ADM 103/110 |
| World Cultures | HST ELECTIVE |
