Communications & The Arts, Social Sciences and Psychology
We invite you to join us and to add your own creativity to the exploration of these rich and diverse disciplines.
Welcome to
Richmond American University London
Richmond American University London is a unique and independent institution, global in outlook and in practice, diverse and cosmopolitan in its cultures.
Awarding both UK and US degrees to all students, Richmond occupies a unique standing in global education, blending two of the world’s leading educational systems.
“I would like to wish you a very warm welcome to Richmond. I’m honoured to be President and Vice Chancellor of Richmond, a diverse, dynamic, vibrant and international University that is passionate about its mission to educate and to inform.”
Professor Phil Deans
President and Vice Chancellor
Richmond American University London
Explore and find out more about Richmond
Why we do what we do
A different way of learning
We have moved, but we are still Richmond
Details about on campus facilities
A library is the heart of any university, learn more
A hub for students to see what life is like here
The University has always had a strong social mission
We are committed to the environment and its future
Students that received honorary degrees from Richmond
Meet our University Board
Meet our Board of Trustees
Have your questions answered
Find employment opportunities at Richmond
Our faculty
Department of Liberal Arts
Richmond’s core curriculum has liberal arts at its heart, academic ties are strong with other departments and programmes.
Richmond Business School
Richmond Business School aims to provide high quality and vocationally relevant business education at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
A strong heritage
Choosing a university is about more than finding a programme. It’s about asking questions and taking a step towards fulfilling your potential. From the University’s inception almost 50 years ago, more than 15,000 students from over 100 countries have graduated from Richmond, creating a vibrant global network of alumni.
Our graduates are highly employable. Richmond students not only achieve a qualification, but leave the University equipped with life-changing skills. We ensure our students graduate as confident and career-ready individuals prepared to make a difference in their chosen field.
Ever since Richmond was established as a community with ‘a scholarly yet social purpose’, the University has offered an international experience and a global outlook. This is more important now than ever.
Today, Richmond is a leading liberal arts university and the UK university which awards both a UK and US degree.
Students who come to Richmond become part of a vibrant and diverse international student community, where students are encouraged and supported to flourish in a mix of diverse cultures, backgrounds and perspectives.
Richmond is committed to developing students’ passion for learning. Students are fully supported throughout their programme so they engage, work with and participate in a vibrant academic community where interdisciplinary teaching and learning is key to the curriculum.
Top 5 reasons to choose Richmond
Dually-accredited UK & US Undergraduate and Master’s Degrees
Generous scholarships that can reduce student debt & Funding available (including SFE +US Government loans)
Flexible American Liberal Arts system, extensive contact hours and mentorship (average 15 hours per week)
Integrated Internships (in the UK and overseas)
Great London location in Chiswick Park with managed accommodation option
The story of Richmond American University London (RAUL)
Richmond American University London (RAUL) is a unique and independent institution, global in outlook and in practice, diverse and cosmopolitan in its cultures. A leading independent institution, the University is accredited in the United States by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and registered with the Office for Students in the UK, with Taught Degree Awarding Powers.
The University’s history is one of progression and development. Awarding both UK and US degrees to all students, RAUL brings together the best of British and American higher education and is the first university to have met the highest benchmarks of two of the world’s leading educational systems and therefore occupies a unique standing in global education.
RAUL was established in 1972 as a study abroad centre for American university students, and quickly developed into a full US University, granting degrees under US authority. In 1978, RAUL was officially incorporated as a not-for-profit educational institution in Washington D.C., moving in 1994 to the State of Delaware as a recognised 501(c) (3) public educational charity under US law, a status it maintains to this day.
From 1978 onwards, RAUL began to award US Associate of Arts (2-year) and Bachelors (4-year) degrees and went on to incorporate masters-level offerings into its curriculum.
In 1996, RAUL entered into a successful partnership agreement with The Open University to secure complementary validation for its US degrees in the UK, which led to further improvements of academic quality.
In May 2018, a significant milestone was achieved when RAUL was granted UK Taught Degree Awarding Powers (TDAP) by the Privy Council, with the first degrees issued on September 1 2018. This authorisation empowered the University to independently award UK degrees in addition to its US degree offerings. Additionally, in the same year, following changes in the UK legislative framework, the University registered with the new government regulator, the Office for Students (OfS) in the ‘approved’ category.
In March 2020, the University developed a strategic partnership with China Education Group (HK), the leading provider of private higher education in the People’s Republic of China.
A major strategic project for the University was the relocation of the London site to a new single site campus in Chiswick Park in 2022. The move to the new campus provided an opportunity to enhance the student experience with modern flexible classroom space and learning resources with up-to-date facilities and technology, and access to new internship and graduate employment opportunities.
In August 2023, Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy (RIASA) also moved to new academic and sports facilities in Weetwood Hall Estate, Leeds, to continue to deliver the BA (Hons) in International Sports Management with Men’s Football and BA (Hons) in International Sports Management Women’s Football.
Richmond American University London today
Our vision, mission and values encapsulate a unique student experience that acknowledges the diversity in the University community and the various perspectives and approaches towards the world.
At RAUL, the faculty and staff strive to cultivate a community of critical thinkers equipped with interdisciplinary skills and encourage students to engage in academic enquiry and challenge while promoting a culture of responsibility that inspires our graduates to influence the world positively.
With approximately 1,100 students, the University has five academic departments:
- Richmond Business School
- Department of Communications & The Arts
- Department of Social Sciences & Humanities
- Department of Science & Technology
- Department of Liberal Arts
- Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy (RIASA)
The University’s academic structures and features are characteristic of American Higher Education, including:
- A four-year bachelor’s degree structure
- A US academic calendar consisting of a Fall semester and a Spring semester of approximately 15 weeks each, and an optional intensive summer session of 6 weeks
- Use of a US credit system to encourage student mobility
- Use of Grade Point Average (GPA) to record achievement
These features have been successfully translated in terms of formal UK quality expectations (FHEQ levels, UK and ECTS credits, GPA into Degree Classifications etc).
1972
Richmond is founded
Richmond was founded by social entrepreneur and politician Sir Cyril Taylor, chairman of the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS), as Richmond College, The American College in London
1972 - September
Richmond begins teaching
The University began teaching on the site of the former Richmond Theological College, part of the University of London, founded in 1843 as a Methodist theological college
First Board of Academic Governors included some highly prestigious academic including Professor Brian Cox of Manchester University, Professor Leonard Schapiro of the LSE, Sir Edward Maitland Wright of the University of Aberdeen, Lord Asa Briggs, the leading historian
1972 - 1973
The Interim Year Abroad
The ‘Interim Year Abroad’ was launched for international students to be followed in subsequent years by a two-year Associate of Arts programme and a four-year BA
1973
Programme portfolio extended
Further courses were added to the Study Abroad programme including History, Business and Latin, as well as ecology and horticulture
1975
First graduates
The developing two-year Associate of Arts programme produced its first graduates in 1975
1977
Art History programme
An Art History programme started with courses being taught at the National Gallery and then at Senate House, University of London before moving to Kensington
1978
Kensington campus opens
A second campus opened on St Albans Grove (Atlantic House) in Kensington for third and fourth year students as well as the University’s US Study Abroad Programme – Atlantic House had a Blue Plaque commemorating Richard Ansdell (1815-1885), the painter who lived there from 1862 to 1884
Richmond’s first Studio Art programme began at the Kensington campus
Richmond’s credited Internship programme began, giving students the opportunity to gain invaluable workplace experience
1981
Formal accreditation
Richmond able to award US undergraduate degrees from the Washington DC Board of Education and formal accreditation from the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges
There were three degree programmes initially – Business Administration, British Studies and English Literature and another 10 majors were developed during the 1980’s
1988
Kensington expands
An expansion of the University’s Kensington campus on Young Street was officially opened by Diana, Princess of Wales
1995
AIFS partnership
AIFS made the University a non-profit educational institution
1996
UK accreditation
From 1996 to 2018 Richmond issued British degrees validated by the Open University
1998
Postgraduate degree launch
Richmond inaugurated its first postgraduate degree with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree
2009
RIASA joins Richmond
Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy (RIASA) founded in Leeds with Mark Ellis, Director and Co-founder of RIASA
2011
Professor John Annette becomes president
Professor John Annette became the 8th President of Richmond
2018
Richmond granted TDAP status
Richmond granted Taught Degree Awarding Powers (TDAP) by the Privy Council, meaning that the University could award its own UK degrees in addition to US degrees
2018 - May
Professor Lawrence Abeln becomes president
Professor Lawrence Abeln became 9th President
2019
Professor Phil Deans becomes president
Professor Phil Deans became 10th President
2019 - September
Kensington expands further
New Kensington High Street facility added, location for the University’s Masters students
2020
CEG partnership
The University signed a partnership agreement with the China Education Group (CEG)
2022
A new home for Richmond
Move of main campus facility to the award-winning and innovative Chiswick Park
2023
A new home for RIASA
In August 2023, Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy (RIASA) also moved to new academic and sports facilities in Weetwood Hall Estate, Leeds, to continue to deliver the BA (Hons) in International Sports Management with Men’s and Women’s Football.
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