Advanced Credit Students

Welcome to the Advanced Credit Students information page. This area is designed to provide students with general information and guidance on the transfer credit procedure.

Once a student has applied to Richmond, her/his Admissions Officer ensures that all necessary documentation (transcripts, certificates etc) is received. The Office of Admissions then submits the student’s full academic record to the Office of Academic Affairs for formal Transfer Credit Evaluation (TCE):

The aim of the evaluation is to:

(1) Fully consider all courses for possible transfer credit.
(2) Ensure that the student receives the most useful transfer credits – this will depend upon her/his choice of major and their point of entry on to the Richmond academic program.
(3) Communicate to the student his/her estimated length of time to graduation.

General Information

Credit is generally granted for academic courses completed at accredited US universities or colleges. For courses completed at higher education institutions in other countries, the institution must be recognised by the appropriate governmental and educational bodies in those countries, as determined by the National Academic Recognition and Information Centre for the United Kingdom (NARIC).

Grades must be at the US university standard of 'C' level or higher for consideration for transfer. Other country equivalents to this standard are determined by reference to NARIC guidelines, with final decisions on equivalency at the discretion of the Office of Academic Affairs.

A student’s Richmond Grade Point Average is based solely on courses completed at Richmond. Credits transfer in from other institutions, however grades do not.

A course evaluated by the Office of Academic Affairs as equivalent to a course offered at Richmond is posted on the student’s academic record as that specific course. A course evaluated as at an appropriate level, but not equivalent to a particular Richmond course, is posted as elective credit.

Provisional transfer credits may be initially awarded, if the academic documentation is received in an unofficial form e.g. a photocopy. In such cases, transfer credits will not be officially granted until and unless official documentation is received. A student’s Admissions Officer will communicate with her/him to ensure that all necessary documentation is received in a timely manner.

Advanced Credit

Will any of my high school work count towards my degree?

The term Advanced Credit is used to specify credit earned at the equivalent level to first-year US university/college level study, but taken at a secondary or high school rather than at a university. Examples include:

International Baccalaureate
UK Advanced and Advanced Subsidiary Certificates of Education (A- and AS-levels)
US Advanced Placement exams
Indian Secondary/Senior School Certificate at Grade XII
German Abitur
French Baccalauréat
Italian Maturità

Up to 30 credits may be awarded for advanced level qualifications. Typically, these qualifications provide exemption from some courses in the Richmond Core Curriculum or for Lower Division courses in specific majors.

Students who are taking IB, AP or A-/AS-level courses may consult the following reference pages to find the Richmond course equivalents to their course subjects: