On-Campus Amenities

There are a variety of services available to Richmond students:

Cash Machine (ATM)

At the Richmond Campus, the university cash/ATM machine is located in a secure location outside the Accounts office. Its services are provided 24 hours a day. There are various ATM machines throughout the town of Richmond that are free of charge.*

In the Kensington campus, there are numerous cash machines located in close proximity to the campus as well as Kensington High Street and Gloucester Road Tube Stations that are free of charge. The nearest cash machine to the Kensington campus is the NatWest bank on the corner of Young Street and High Street Kensington.

* If you are using an foreign card to withdraw cash, its useful to note that while the cash machine does not charge the customer, however, the individual’s local bank may apply overseas charges. Consult your local bank for details.

Bookstore

In Richmond textbooks may be purchased at the local bookstore. The university works closely with Houbens bookshop, which stocks new and used Richmond University textbooks:

W&A Houben
2 Church Court
Richmond
(just behind Tesco)
Phone: 020 8940 1055

In Kensington student textbooks may be purchased in the basement of Atlantic House in the common room during the first three weeks of each term. All the required course textbooks are available at these locations. Paperback textbooks range from £6-£20. Hardcover textbooks range from £15-£50. Costs for required textbooks is academic major specific. For example, a science major may need to purchase fewer books for approximately £40 per textbook, but the text may be used throughout the year(s) and apply to the other science classes. A history or political science major may need to purchase several smaller and less expensive paperback textbooks throughout the study. Many students sell their used books at a cheaper rate than a new book but many students keep their books as the beginnings of a personal academic library. The university libraries supply the required textbooks on each course offered that may be lent out with a presentation of the student I.D. card.

Catering

More detailed information can be found on the Catering pages.

Dining Hall

The hours of operation for each campus dining hall are posted at each facility and on the university website. Each meal in the Dining Hall is itemized, so you will only be paying for the items you eat. Your weekly allotment will be turned over at the end of each week and can be used in an of the dining facilties at either campus. The Dining Halls provide freshly cooked meals, salad bar, cooked to order options, hot & cold drinks.

Refresh

Another option for food is the University’s café located in the Main Building on the Richmond campus. Fresh sandwiches, snacks, fruits, salads, fair trade coffee and tea, and drinks may be either purchased or used as one of the daily meal plan. There are leather sofas and tables to enjoy your meal, read the provided daily newspapers, or simply take your food away.

Starbucks at the Taylor Library

Richmond will open a new facility at the start of the Fall 2009 term in the Taylor Library at Richmond Hill.

The cafe will offer bean to cup drinks including a full menu of Starbucks coffees and teas as well as baked goods and other grab and go options.

The cafe will also have internet pods, comfortable seating and areas for students to read, study and relax before or after classes.

Common Room Vending Machines

On both campuses there is a selection of vending machines located in the common room. They offer 24hour access to cold drinks, sandwiches and Ben&Jerry's ice cream!

Eating Off Campus

Food in London has improved greatly over the past decade. Fifteen of the top 100 Restaurants in the world are now within London. You can now find good quality food from all over the world in restaurants, which typically provide vegetarian options. There are ‘take out’ restaurants which are usually Kababs, Chinese, Indian, Thai, and every kind of pizza. Supermarkets are plentiful and inexpensive where prepared food may be purchased and various other small delicious sandwich shops throughout Richmond and Kensington. Don’t forget to taste some traditional Fish & Chips at the local chip shop or pub. Meals can be inexpensive or very expensive depending upon your tastes and financial standing. Meals can range from £2.99-£25.99 (including drinks).

Laundry Services

Both university campuses provide free laundry services to the students. The laundry rooms are equipped with washers and dryers that are available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The university provides 2 sets of bed linens upon arrival, but students will need to launder these themselves.

Mail Services

Every student living on-campus has his or her personal mail locker. The lockers are located in the basement by the common room in the Main Building and at Atlantic House. Mail will be distributed daily around lunch time. Big parcels can be collected from Student Affairs. Registered mail will come through Repographics in the Main Building or Student Affairs in Atlantic House.

If you are living at Courtfield Gardens or Collingham Gardens, your mail will come directly to your building and will be distributed in the post boxes near the front entrance. Please check these boxes daily.

Stamps for mailing may be purchased in the Accounts Office at the Richmond campus or the Post Office in town. Other means of shipping mail more quickly such as DSL, UPS, or Royal Mail services will ship your mail within a couple of days. However, this method of sending mail is more expensive.

Please note that we are unable to forward mail or hold it if you move off campus, it is your responsibility to inform all necessary people and businesses of your change of address.

Tutoring

The university provides its students with various tutorial opportunities to further develop the skills in Maths and English (including: essay writing, mathematics, science, history, politics, computer sciences and other areas of academic study). This service is sponsored by the Student Union who coordinates approved tutors with students.

In addition, the university provides a staffed Maths and Writing Workshop programs where staff and faculty assists students in developing their maths or writing skills.

Whether you are in need of much assistance or simply desire some help going over your work, the Maths and Writing Workshop programs offers all the assistance needed to students. It is free and students who that take advantage of the academic opportunity tend to produce better work and receive higher marks. Projects, homework, and essays from any of the studies may be brought to the workshop for advice.

Link to this page: http://www.richmond.ac.uk/s/522.aspx