Frequently Asked Questions

Student Life

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Being a small institution, there is a real opportunity to become a leader of a club and develop leadership skills. There are clubs in a variety of areas - academic, social, political, cultural and religious. Every semester, a Freshers Fair is held at the Richmond campus for students to learn more about student clubs and organizations. If you don't find a club that suits your particular interest, start your own!

This depends on your personal life style. Most students try to keep at a budget of about £50 per week. Here are some rough prices for the London area:

Value Meal from McDonald’s: £4
CD: £15
Can of soda: £0.70
Average textbook per course: £30
Cinema ticket: £5 - £8, depending on the time of day
Restaurant dinner: £17 for 1 entree and drink
One day Travelcard on the Tube for zones 1-4: £5.10
Shampoo: £3

Even if you plan to access money from home, it's best to have a local bank account. Many banks will charge a fee to use a bank card outside the home network and having a British account will avoid those charges. Parents who want to send money can do so via bank transfer.

The Richmond Student Affairs office will issue a letter of introduction that the bank will require. Ask at the Student Affairs office during Orientation.

The Hill Campus has an ATM machine. As it is operated by a third party there is a handling charge of £1.50 per transaction.

Student feedback indicates that a digital camera is extremely useful. You are recommended to bring a camera with the following specifications: 1) minimum of 3.1 million effective pixels 2) extra batteries 3) additional memory card of 128 megabytes or above

Banks, local travel agents, American Express can all change money for you. There is also an on-line service at www.foreign-currency.com/ or www.foreignmoney.com/. It's best if you arrive in England with about £300 in Sterling for expenses during the first few weeks. What you don't spend can be used to open your new British bank account. Should you need more money, you can use your home ATM card in a pinch.

For additional security each University room has a small - standard laptop capable - personal safe for your convenience.

Most students from countries outside the EU or British Commonwealth will need a student visa (sometimes referred to as 'entry clearance') to study in England. We strongly advise that you consult your nearest British Embassy or consulate for procedures and apply early to Richmond so that there will be enough time to organize your visa well in advance of your start date. You can visit www.ukvisas.gov.uk, www.britainusa.com/visas/visas.asp for additional information.

Transfer students fit in very naturally at Richmond. They participate in orientation along with other new students and have orientation sessions designed specifically for them. Transfer credits are evaluated in advance of registration so that advisers can easily coordinate a student's previous curriculum with Richmond requirements.

The weather in London is about as diverse as the Richmond student body! You can expect several seasons in one day. Typically, fall is very mild with temperatures ranging from 7°C (45°F) to 14°C (57°F) and lasting from mid-September until mid-November. Winter can be quite chilly; 3°C (37°F) to 6°C (43°F). You can also plan on plenty of rain; 76mm (3.5in) to 79mm (3.75in) per month between mid-November and early February. Spring again is mild, with less rain and temperatures warming up starting in mid-March; 6°C (43°F) to 11°C (52°F). Summer weather generally doesn’t start until mid-June and extremely warm days (above 22°C or 72°F) are rare. The average temperature is 14°C (57°F) to 16°C (63°F).

Some Useful Links:
www.bbc.co.uk/weather

A large part of the social scene happens at pubs and clubs. Jogging, cycling and recreational sports in Richmond Park are popular options as is visiting the museums and sights in London. With more than 12 million residents in the capital city the off campus options are endless. For more on what to do around town go to www.timeout.com/london.

For those interested in shopping, Kingston-upon-Thames is a 20 minutes ride away on the 371 bus (download 371 schedule). Following its early beginnings as a Market Town boasting a Royal Charter, Kingston's transformation over the past 20 years has been rapid. It is now internationally renowned for it's extensive range of shops and services, and as such is well justified with the title of premier retail centre within the South East of England. Kingston Town still boasts the best preserved Medieval Street plan in Greater London.

The Richmond Hill campus, where freshmen and sophomores live and study, is about 7 miles or 35 minutes by Tube. The Kensington campus, where juniors and seniors live and study, is right in the heart of central London.

For travel in and around London please visit Transport For London at www.tfl.gov.uk.

The Richmond Hill campus has a multi-purpose outdoor court for tennis, basketball, volleyball and mini-soccer. A well-equipped Fitness Center is available in the Main Building, basement level (open 0600 - 2400 last entry 2300, daily). A cardio studio is available for University sponsored recreational classes on the ground level of the "Main Building".

In addition, for a monthly fee, Cedars Health and Leisure Club is located directly behind the Richmond Hill campus and features a full health and leisure facility including a swimming pool.

Richmond Park, the largest urban park in Europe, is a 2,500-acre recreational area less than a five-minute walk from the Hill campus. The Park (in the past a Royal hunting ground for Kings) offers students recreational and competitive sports for every interest and no entry fee. The Student Government Association has purchased bicycles that can be used free of charge for cycling in the Park – and elsewhere. www.visitrichmond.co.uk/travel-cycling.asp.

In Kensington, students may use the athletic facilities of nearby Imperial College for a modest fee. Additional information is available at: www.imperial.ac.uk Imperial has an indoor swimming pool, a squash court, a gym as well as sauna and Jacuzzi facilities. Look to this site for on-going details of what is being offered from term to term.

In terms of sports off campus, London offers fantastic opportunities for students either as spectators or to participate in an endless array of sport and recreational activities. For a full calendar of what is happening in greater London check out BBC Sport London and for details on Richmond Park go to: www.guidetorichmond.co.uk/park.html

London has a full range of football (soccer) teams including Premier League clubs such as Arsenal and the local club Chelsea.

If rugby is your sport, Twickenham, the home of international rugby in England, is only two miles from the campus www.rfu.com.

Wimbledon, home of the famous tennis championship is also nearby (www.wimbledon.org) and the famous boat race between Oxford and Cambridge Universities takes place on the Thames just down-river from Richmond (www.theboatrace.org). The River at Richmond also offers sailing, boarding and rowing. (www.guidetorichmond.co.uk/sport.html). For those of you who do not usually follow England's summer game, www.uk.cricket.org explains the rules and tells you all you need to know about Cricket.

And to keep up to date with whatever sport you follow, check out www.bbc.co.uk/sport.

Public transportation in London is wonderful and having a car can be more of an aggravation than an advantage and neither campus allows student parking.

Full-time students qualify for a 30% discount on Tubes, trains and buses. A discount card application is available at any Tube station. Just bring it to Student Affairs for verification, send it in, and let the savings begin! For more information on London's famous Underground ('The Tube), go to www.tfl.gov.uk.

For your own convenience, we recommend that you get a mobile (cell) phone. It's cheapest to buy it in the UK because that's where you'll be making most of your calls. The easiest way for students new to the UK to get a phone is to use a 'pay as you go' plan. You purchase the phone (£30 - £300), select a service provider and then buy top-up vouchers that allow you to add credit to your phone. As your phone runs out of credit, you buy a top up voucher, enter the voucher number into the phone, and it's ready to go again. These vouchers are available practically everywhere - news agents, book stores, grocery stores. Richmond's Student Affairs staff and Orientation Leaders can provide advice on finding the best deal when you come. The Student Government Association also operates a second-hand phone market selling the phones of graduating students.

Expect four seasons but also pack light. It does not get extremely hot or extremely cold in England but you will definitely need warm sweaters (wool is best), a raincoat (preferably with a hood), and an umbrella small enough to fit in your bag.

Do bring a few mementos from home like a small stuffed animal and family pictures but keep them to a minimum. You can always exchange clothes or pick up extra things when you go home for the first time.

Students usually go home at the end of the fall semester in December and at the end of the academic year in May, if they aren't staying for Summer School. During fall and spring breaks, many students choose to travel - either with our Richmond-organized tours or independently.

A laptop is not required at Richmond. We do have wireless access in the residence hall areas that can be accessed by laptops but if you prefer, you can use the desktop computers available in Richmond's computer labs.

However, if you do want a laptop, keep the following things in mind: the power source in England is 240v. Make sure your laptop is adaptable to this power source. Secondly, the published price in the UK may have the same number value but you will need to watch the exchange rate with your home currency when you buy something. For example, the cost of the laptop in England may read £1,700. The cost of the same laptop in the US may read $1,700. The number is the same but the value of the currency is different.

From the Spring 2004 semester each University room will have a small - but standard laptop capable - personal safe per bed space.

Housing

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There is wireless Internet access in the rooms of the main building. Some satellite residences have Internet access. Contact Residence Life at tracey.thatcher@richmond.ac.uk for details on what is available in each building.

We highly recommended living on campus for the first year. It eases your transition to life at Richmond and helps you establish a wide network of friends.

Storage space at Richmond is extremely limited. In some cases, shipping ahead of time may be possible but you must contact the Director of Residence Life at tracey.thatcher@richmond.ac.uk before arranging shipment. The best advice is to bring what you can fit in your luggage and carry by yourself and plan to have any extra things shipped after you arrive if you really do need them.

You can request a single room but keep in mind that there is an additional charge. Rooms are allocated by deposit date so if a single is important to you, it is wise to deposit early. Of course, if you prefer a shared room that option is available. You will have a chance to state your preferences on your Housing Form when you deposit.

Generally, room assignments are made by early July for the fall semester and by early December for the spring semester. If you put your e-mail address on your housing application, Residence Life will contact you with your room assignment and roommate information.

Unfortunately, there is no student storage on campus. This is due to lack of space. Student Affairs can help you locate area companies who can store your things at a reasonable rate. Many of these companies will also pick up and deliver.

The Richmond housing contract requires a two-semester commitment (fall and spring), if you begin with us in the fall semester. Then you don't need to worry about storage between semesters, you can leave your things in your room. The University does not provide storage options during the summer months.

Generally, new students live at The Hill, but you can request a place at Kensington if you would like. If there is space available after upper division students are housed, you may live in Kensington, but you will have to pay your own commuting expenses.

The University is officially closed over the Christmas/New Year holidays. Stays of a few days to co-ordinate with flights home can be accommodated but there is a small nightly charge.

For longer stays there is cheap student accommodation available in London over the breaks--check with Residence Life (tracey.thatcher@richmond.ac.uk) for information about this. You may choose to stay on campus at The Hill over the summer if there is space available. There is a small nightly fee for this.

Housing varies in style and type of accommodation. Both campuses have a main dormitory building with singles, doubles and triples. These buildings have shared bathrooms and long corridors of student rooms. Satellite residences tend to be more like flats or apartments with smaller groups sharing bathrooms, and sometimes kitchens, within a unit of 3 to 4 bedrooms.

Undergraduate Admissions

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Applicants must have a high school/secondary school diploma or equivalent with a minimum of grade point average of C+ (2.5 out of 4.0 in the American grading system). Qualifications gained under other educational systems will be assessed for equivalency to the C+/2.5 American system standard.

Other factors such as the letter of reference, personal statement, results of standardized examinations and participation in extracurricular activities are also considered in the application process. Students holding advanced qualifications (e.g., A-Levels, French Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement Examinations) may be given credit toward completion of degrees after review by the Dean of Academic Affairs. Typically, such students are granted exemption from some first-year courses.

The Admissions Office has details of entry requirements for all countries and will be pleased to supply further information. If you live outside the US, please contact us at enroll@richmond.ac.uk. For those in the States, please write to: us_admissions@richmond.ac.uk

Students with advanced qualifications (e.g., A-Levels, French Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement Examinations) may be awarded course credit towards completion of degrees after review by the Dean of Academic Affairs. Typically, these students are granted exemption from some courses in the Richmond Core or for lower-division courses in their majors.

National secondary education credentials which are acceptable for entry to British universities, as determined by NARIC (The National Academic Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom), may be awarded up to a maximum of 30 credits, depending on examination grades. Examples are the French Baccalauré at, the German Abitur and the Italian Maturità. For British-system A levels, nine credits are awarded for grades of A, B, or C; six credits are awarded for grades of D or E.

Generally, advanced placement awards for AP examinations are determined by the guidelines outlined by the College Board on the web site: www.collegeboard.org. Credit is awarded for grades of 3, 4, or 5 on Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations. Six to eight credits are awarded, depending on subject area, for examinations covering two semesters of university-level work, three to four credits are awarded for examinations covering one semester. No credit is awarded for grades of 1 or 2.

International Baccalaureate credits are determined by the guidelines outlined by the International Baccalaureate Organization on the web site: www.ibo.org. Six credits are awarded 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.

All new students at Richmond take placement tests in English and math. This is to help us place you in the most appropriate curriculum. At Richmond, we want you to succeed academically and the placement tests help us give you the tools to do that.

Students who have been awarded transfer credit in English Composition and Math may be exempt from the appropriate test, at the discretion of the Dean of Academic Affairs.

Yes. Our assessment tells us things about your English skills that are not revealed through the TOEFL/IELTS. Our test helps us place you in a program that's right for your level of ability.

Richmond will give credit for the CLEP exam. However, Richmond does not offer the CLEP exam. It must be taken prior to enrolment at a university. The program evaluates what a person knows prior to taking university courses, not afterwards. The College Board has an extensive CLEP page on their web site:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html. See especially the section on Exam Descriptions.
• We require scores of 50 or higher for credit (exams are scored between 20 and 80).
• We generally award 3 or 6 credits per exam, depending on whether College Board describes the exam as covering one or two semesters of college study.
• Several of the exams, especially in Composition and Literature, have optional essays.
We require the essays. If the student has not taken the essay part of the exam, possible credit for the CLEP exam will be contingent on the student's performance on Richmond's English Placement Test. (The student will have to demonstrate a level of writing competence commensurate with the possible credit associated with the CLEP exam.) The CLEP exams in Biology, Chemistry, and Natural Science will provide elective credit only. They will not satisfy the Richmond's lab science core curriculum requirement.

A general education curriculum is at the heart of a liberal arts education. At Richmond, we help you gain a broad understanding of the world by studying math, science, literature, sociology, and other broad-based subjects before and while you do coursework in your major. You will organize and synthesize information from a variety of subject areas and focus on intercultural issues. The liberal arts curriculum, called the Richmond Core, is designed to give you the tools and the flexibility of thought necessary for any situation in today’s global economy.

Richmond's faculty represent numerous backgrounds and countries. To see profiles, click here.

Since Richmond is located outside the U.S, we are excluded from the college rating system. We are also excluded from the British league tables, because we are a US institution. However, if we were included in these rankings - using the established ranking criteria - we would be ranked in the top tier of private international universities.

Richmond graduates have gone on to study: in the UK, at London School of Economics, University of Oxford, University of Durham, SOAS, Imperial College, Goldsmiths College, Exeter, Hull and Kent. In the U.S., our graduates have entered Columbia School of Law, Harvard University, John Hopkins, MIT, New York University, Northwestern (The Kellogg School of Business), Thunderbird-The American Graduate School of International Management, Yale, Tufts, and UCLA.

While the academic program emphasizes a liberal arts core with 11 academic majors, the most frequently selected majors include business, communications, international relations, politics and psychology.

Richmond offers many distinctions that place the University in the forefront of global higher education. We are a private, independent, American university accredited both in the U.S.A. by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and, in the United Kingdom, validated by the Open University Validation System. Approximately 1,000 students are enrolled representing more than 100 countries throughout the world.

Yes. Richmond has a semester or year-abroad program for students from overseas colleges and universities who wish to study in London. University students studying in the USA and wishing to study abroad must apply via American Institute of Foreign Study at www.aifsabroad.com/routing/uk.htm. Visiting students from other countries should apply directly to Richmond through our London office at enroll@richmond.ac.uk.

In the United States, students must meet the college preparatory requirements of their particular state. A student should have a minimum grade point average of 2.5/4.0 to be considered; most Richmond applicants have higher GPAs.

For students educated in other systems, you must meet the standard for university entry in your home country from a school approved by an appropriate governmental body, such as the Ministry of Education. Richmond will assess your credentials for equivalency to the US grade point average system.

Yes. Richmond offers a one- or two-semester study-abroad program in Florence and Rome. In addition, you can take up to one year and study at another institution of your choice with an approved leave of absence from the Dean of Academic Affairs.

Yes, students who have completed their sophomore, junior or senior year of high school may apply to spend four weeks taking classes for college credit at Richmond's Hill campus. If you are living in the USA please contact the American Institute for Foreign Study at 1-800-727-2437 or http://www.summeradvantage.com/england/london/ for details for students residing outside the USA please contact mark.kopenski@richmond.ac.uk for further details and an application.

Because interaction between students themselves and with their professors is a key feature of the Richmond experience, we do not offer distance learning.

Yes, but you must work closely with your academic advisor to do so. Because Richmond's curriculum is demanding, you may need to spend more than the traditional eight semesters at Richmond in order to complete a double major.

No, Richmond offers Itialian classes on the Florence and Rome Campus. However, most Richmond students arrive on campus already fluent in several languages so the opportunity for daily conversational practice is constant. Richmond's own library stocks more than 50 publications from around the world. In addition, there is a wealth of foreign language material available in London - newspapers from all over the globe arrive at the local news stands daily.

Richmond offers interdisciplinary, non-performing classes in music. Students interested in performing can get together to jam or take advantage of the abundant opportunities in London such as visiting the Royal Albert Hall or Wembley Stadium for concerts.

Yes! Current Richmond students would love to hear from you. Our Student Ambassadors will email you and answer all your questions about what's it like to be amongst our Richmond family. Visit Meet Richmond Students or for more information on alumni and to reach an alum contact in your area.

• 1 March for Fall Semester
• 1 April for Summer Sessions
• 1 November for Spring Semester
• Late applications will be considered, provided there is space available.

A non-refundable £50 application fee is required of all new applicants. We do not have an Application Fee Waiver form, however if you feel you have special circumstances that warrant a waiver of this fee, you may contact the Admissions Office directly at enroll@richmond.ac.uk for those outside the US or us_admissions@richmond.ac.uk for those who live in the US.

If your application is incomplete, you will receive a request for further documents within two to four days.

Complete applications that include all the supplementary documents will be forwarded to the Admissions Committee for review. You should have a final answer within three to four weeks from the time your application is complete. We will try to contact you by phone and email with an answer and we will follow up by sending a decision letter in writing.

Richmond welcomes transfer students and we award transfer credit for classes with grades of C or higher. Transfer credit is granted only for academic courses taken at accredited American colleges or universities, or at institutions of higher education in other countries that are recognized by the appropriate governmental bodies in those countries. Only credit is transferred; grades and grade point averages from other institutions do not transfer.

Up to 75 credits may be transferred towards the Richmond BA or BS degree. At most, 60 credits may be transferred from two-year colleges where only lower division courses are offered. Regardless of the transfer credit awarded, transfer students must complete all Richmond proficiency, general education, and major requirements that are not covered by equivalent transfer credit.

All transfer students are required to complete a minimum of 54 upper division credits (18 courses), of which at least 45 credits (15 courses) must be taken at Richmond. At least 36 upper division credits must be taken at Richmond in the student's major.

Yes. Richmond is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in the U.S. Course work completed at Richmond is transferable to institutions that recognize the American educational system. However, be sure to check with the institution you are transferring to as each school has its own transfer policy and possible restrictions.

Apart of Richmonds ethos is to provide our students with the opportunity to study abroad for a semester. Many of our students study at the Florence and Rome campuses or with one of our partner colleges/universities. Visit this page for a list of our partners. We have agreements and partnerships with several universities and colleges for the acceptance of transfer credit for incoming transfer students. Please contact the Admissions Office for further information at enroll@richmond.ac.uk.

Yes, provided that the credits are obtained through an accredited university. You must submit an official college transcript in order to receive credit.

Academics

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The average class size is 17.

Approximately 1000 students attend Richmond.

The student to teacher ratio is 19/1.

All Richmond classes are taught by professors. In the small, intimate atmosphere of the Richmond classroom, you will know your teachers and they will know you. If you need help, all you have to do is ask.

During orientation, after you meet with your Faculty Adviser.

Richmond will evaluate your application for admission based on the quality of your transcript, your personal statement, teacher recommendation and other supporting documents. A portfolio is not necessary but we are happy to see a small sample of slides of your work, if you wish to submit them. This can be useful when you are in contact with our art faculty. If a sample of your work is made available to them, they can comment intelligently when emailing or speaking with you on the phone.

Daily schedules differ depending on the student's timetable. Students usually take 5 subjects per semester (15 HOURS PER WEEK) and each class usually meets two or three times per week.

A one-year MA is standard in British universities, so we follow that model. This does result in a more demanding load than in US MAs. You can expect to be required to read around 2-3 books and 10-15 articles per week, and write around 9,000 words per course in each semester. The thesis of 15-20,000 words is no shorter than in US or British universities.

You will take 15 class hours per week.

Alumni

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Richmond has alumni living in 114 different countries. You can learn more about our alumni here. You are also welcome to email the Alumni Relations office at alumni@richmond.ac.uk

Richmond alumni are employed in many different companies and organizations all over the world, including the following:
• Abu Dhabi Drilling Chemicals & Products Ltd.
• Al Hayat, Pan Arab newspaper
• American Airlines
• ArabTec Satellite & Interactive Systems
• Astra International Corporation
• Bell Language School
• Brazilian Embassy
• British Airways
• CBS News
• Christies Auction House
• Citibank
• CNN
• Deutsche Bank
• Emirates Airlines
• European Bank for Reconstruction & Development
• The European Commission
• International Trade Institute
• Johns Hopkins University
• JP Morgan
• Kings College, London
• Middle East Broadcasting
• Monster.Com
• Morgan Stanley
• MTV
• Nabisco
• Price Waterhouse Cooper
• Procter & Gamble
• Radisson Edwardian Hotels
• Richmond the American International University in London
• Standard & Poors
• S & P Mergers
• UK Government
• UNICEF
• United Nations
• World Bank

Richmond’s alumni pursue postgraduate school all over the world. Below is a sampling from the class of 2001.

Catering

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The catering staff at Richmond meets the tremendous challenge of providing three meals a day to the diverse palates of students from over 100 countries. In addition to a hot entrée, there is always a vegetarian option, a salad bar, a sandwich bar, a stir-fry area and ice cream. In addition to the cafeteria, there is a sleek, new coffee/snack bar where students can buy espresso, gourmet sandwiches and pastries.

The staff is eager to meet the needs of the students and is open to menu suggestions and requests. If you’re missing your mother’s favourite dish, just contact the catering staff and provide a recipe.

The Housing contract includes a meal plan which entitles you to 18 meals per week - breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday - Friday, brunch on Saturdays and brunch and dinner on Sundays.

We recommend that you participate in the meal plan and the cost is included with your accommodation fees. The majority of Richmond's residence facilities do not have kitchens. However, there are a few, on the Hill Campus, that do although these are reserved for sophomores and above.

The Catering staff offers a variety of meal choices every day so as to accommodate as many students as possible. Vegetarian choices are always available. Whenever possible, vegan choices such as soy milk are offered. Students needing halal meat often choose the vegetarian options.

Money and Financial Assistance

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Yes. The university provides a number of scholarships. A student may also apply for private scholarships from outside sources.

Richmond welcomes students who are sons and daughters of university employees. For 2009-2010 Richmond will not be accepting additional students through tuition exchange.

Richmond is happy to have prospective students visit us for a maximum of one night (Monday - Thursday). You will share a room with a current Richmond student and get a firsthand taste of student life here in London. You will be responsible for your own transportation to and from campus.

For information on Richmond fees, please
click here.

Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students at the time of admission and are based upon the relative academic promise of the applicant. Students need not request consideration for scholarship award. However, preferential consideration will be given to those students who submit a completed application within the annual deadline which is the 15th of March for the Fall Semester and November 15 for the Spring Semester.

MA students often take up on-campus work when it is available. Some students do undertake part-time work with galleries and museums while studying the MA, but not all. We do not encourage students to undertake too much work outside the MA since this may negatively affect the challenging academic side of the program. Some students choose to stay in London while writing the thesis in the summer. With more time available, some students undertake gallery work then and some have stayed on into the Fall and worked full-time.

Internships are not a requisite part of the program nor do we give credits for such work. Our faculty can help up to a point (e.g. with contacts at the National Galley), but mostly, students seek out their own opportunities. If you are willing to work on a volunteer basis, and are proactive in seeking the work, there is typically something available. We do not encourage students to undertake too much work outside the MA since this may negatively affect the challenging academic side of the program. Some students choose to stay in London while writing the thesis in the summer. With more time available, some students undertake gallery work then and some have stayed on into the Fall and worked full-time.

The Richmond Office of Financial Assistance helps students access a variety of funding programs including merit-based scholarships, work-study opportunities, and additional outside resources.

US citizens and eligible non-citizens can receive loan assistance through the US government. Stafford loans, PLUS loans and Private Student Loans are available for use at Richmond. US citizens should be aware that federal legislation prohibits U.S. citizens enrolled in a university outside the US from receiving Pell grants, SEOG, Perkins Loans, and Federal Work Study funds even though they may be eligible for such assistance. The FAFSA form is required (see below) to apply for Stafford, PLUS and signature loans. It is possible to borrow the full cost of your Richmond education through these programs.

Students who are UK or EU citizens may be eligible for loans and should visit The Student Loan Company. Click on inquires and scroll down to determine eligibility for fee and living expense loans.

Non-U.S. citizens should also contact the Ministry of Education in their home Countries for details of assistance for which they may be eligible.

U.S. citizens must complete the FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid to be eligible for loans and Richmond scholarships. Please enter the school code for Richmond: G10594, when completing the form. For additional information on financial assistance: click here

Jobs on campus are available and are considered part of a student's Richmond scholarship package. They are available to new and continuing students who meet the appropriate level of academic merit. To be considered, students must complete the University Scholarship Application Form, apply for positions available, and, if granted the position, work the hours required. These awards are typically £500 per semester. The money is not credited toward tuition but can used for whatever incidental expenses a students has, such as books and transportation.

International students can work almost anywhere, up to 20 hours a week during term time and full time (up to 35 hrs/week) during school breaks.

No. Your currency status is determined by where you live when you apply. For further information on fees and exchange rates, you are welcome to contact our Finance Office at finance@richmond.ac.uk.

Given that exchange rates fluctuate often, we recommend consulting a newspaper or the Internet for the current rates. Yahoo.com posts exchange rates daily in their financial section.

Yes. However, please note that the rules for what the savings can be used for are set by the body you have been saving with. Please contact your 529 supplier and ask them. Note that your supplier can pay into Richmond’s US bank account (as the supplier may not wish to do international transfers). The supplier may also wish to know that we do an annual 1098T tax form for all our US students (or their parents).

First Year Seminar

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First year Seminars are 4 credit courses for students new to Richmond. Students choose one of these seminars from the posted list. Although the seminars focus on a different subject, they have a common component designed to help new students make a successful transition to academic life in an international university - in London.

Yes, if you are a new student to Richmond you will be required to take one of the seminars. It satisfies the Level One "Common Course" requirement in Richmond's "Core Curriculum."

Yes, most new students will have to take one of the FYS. A few students with appropriate transfer credits may be exempted, but you will be notified if that is the case. When in doubt, register for one of them.

No. The rest of your schedule will be filled by other courses that you will select during orientation.

We will make every effort to get you into your first choice seminar. However, they will fill up, so the earlier you register with us the better the chance you'll have to get into the seminar of your choice.

If you register before July 15, you should be notified within a couple of weeks, providing you have given us your correct email address on your form.

Yes, as long as there is space available in one you want to change into. You will have up to the end of the first week of classes to change your schedule as long as you talk to an adviser.

For most new students, the academic adviser will be the one who teaches you in your First Year Seminar. For some students with quite a lot of transfer credits, a specialized adviser related to your major will be assigned to help you. But for most new students, the great faculty teaching you in your FYS will also be your adviser during your first year at Richmond.

No. Choose one that interests you. The FYS are designed to be "multidisciplinary" and not fit into one specific major. They do not satisfy courses for any major but are part of the liberal arts tradition in education and feed into the "Core Curriculum." Choose the seminars that are most interesting to you.

Graduate Programs

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Applicants for the postgraduate programs are required to submit the following information in order to be considered for admission: • Completed Application form. • Official transcripts of all university work and proof of degree. • For students who have attended non-U.S. universities, certified copies of all grades, (including courses taken), diplomas, certificates of program completion and any end-of-program or end-of-year examination results. • Students whose first language is not English must submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge English proficiency test results. • Professional Statement. (see criteria) • Curriculum vitae • Two academic letters of reference. (see criteria) • Enclose a sample of your recent academic writing related to the postgraduate academic area you are applying for: * Art History for the MA in Art History * International Relations for the MA in International Relations * or other areas related to these • Non-refundable £50 application fee

The postgraduate programs begin each academic year in September. Completed applications are due by 31 March for the following September class. Applications received after this date will be considered on an availability basis.

In general, applicants to the Master of Arts in Art History degree program must have successfully completed a bachelors degree with a major in Art History or a related discipline, preferably in the Humanities. Similarly, applicants to the Master of Arts in International Relations degree program must have successfully completed a bachelors degree with a major in International Relations or a related discipline, preferably in the Humanities. All applications will be evaluated individually and students without the requisite undergraduate major may be required to complete up to four undergraduate Art History/ International Relations courses at Richmond before acceptance into the Masters program.

Not necessarily. However, the language of instruction in the postgraduate programs is English, and non-native English speakers are asked to provide TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge English language examination results as proof of their fluency in written and spoken English.

We do not require the GRE as part of the application. However, if a student has taken the test and would like to submit their results as part of their application, they can do so. We will then consider the results along with the rest of the application when making a decision

Graduate student housing at Richmond is located in the Kensington area of West London. The campus is contained within 5 buildings, all within a 10-minute walk of each other. Kensington is a highly desirable residential area excellent for shopping and equipped with restaurants, parks and nightlife. You will have two options to chose from: The Graduate Rooms, Atlantic House: A separate corridor in Atlantic House which has been designated for graduate housing offering seven single rooms. All rooms are fitted with new contemporary fitted furniture, sinks and university network ports. There are shared shower facilities. A tall fridge/freezer and a microwave are located at this wing for the residents of the graduate wing only. Courtfield Gardens: If dormitory living does not fit your lifestyle, you may want to consider living in a studio flat at Richmond's newest satellite building. The building is located across Cromwell Road, just a 5 minute walk from the Earl's Court tube station. Courtfield is home to almost 80 Richmond students and boasts self contained flats of 1 to 2 students with newly refurbished kitchens and bathrooms. Wireless internet, a common room with satellite TV, live-in staff and programming throughout the term and all a part of the package at Courtfield.

Tuition for the MA program is from £1,650 to £15,000 pounds sterling. Tuition fees, books, a laptop computer (required), and living costs are the main items you will need to take into account in estimating the total cost of your MA Program.

MA students fund their studies from a variety of sources such as Graduate Assistantships, loans, grants, and personal resources. Richmond also offers a limited number of partial scholarships. For example, the Garfield Weston Scholarship fund provides scholarships annually to graduate students worthy of special consideration based on academic achievement and graduate study interest. Preference is given to students from Britain, Canada, or Australia. Applicants from other countries will be considered. To be considered for scholarship, please check the scholarship box on the application for admission form. If you are a U.S. citizens or a U.S. green card holder, you may qualify for Stafford loans. To apply you must complete the Free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You may complete this form online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. In the U.S. you can also call 1-8004FED AID to request a form. The U.S. Department of Education number for Richmond, The American International University in London is G10594. U.S. citizens with a U.S. resident co-signer may also apply for the Private Signature Loan administered by SallieMae. See www.salliemae.com Alternatively, the MA Graduate Assistantship is designed for graduate students to work closely with the program director and other faculty within the MA Departments. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: direct participation in research or research support activities; work in the slide library; assist the academic program staff and work with the graduate admission office events. MA Graduate Assistantships

We do not hold open days specifically for the postgraduate programs but we do encourage prospective student to visit the Kensington Campus, meet the Directors and current students. Please contact us at ma@richmond.ac.uk to arrange a visit.

The MA Calendar and Timetable are available on the website at: http://www.richmond.ac.uk/content/academic-programs/ma-in-art-history/ma-academic-calendar.aspx

MA Art History

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Some postgraduate students in Art History undertake part-time work with galleries and museums while studying the MA, but not all. Internships are not a requisite part of the program nor do we give credits for such work. If you are willing to work on a volunteer basis, and are proactive in seeking the work, there is typically something available. While we do encourage students to gain work experience and can assist in finding placements, we do not encourage students to undertake too much work outside the MA since this may negatively affect the challenging academic side of the program. Some students choose to stay in London while writing the thesis in the summer. With more time available, some students undertake gallery work then and some have stayed on into the Fall and worked full-time. Example Internships: Exhibitions Planning Dept, V&A; Front of House assistant, The National Gallery; Textiles department at the Victoria and Albert Museum; Picture Librarian, Wallace Collection, London; Picture Librarian at the National Portrait Gallery.

Students wishing to pursue graduate study in art history, who prefer not to prepare for and complete the research component of the MA, may choose to take the Graduate Certificate in Art History. The minimum requirements for the certificate are the following. Minimum Requirements ARH 526 (3 CREDITS) Art History Theories and Methods ARH 536 (3 CREDITS) Approaching Art across Cultures Four courses in art history chosen with the approval of an adviser (12 CREDITS) (No more than two of these courses may be undergraduate courses.) The graduate courses may subsequently be applied to the MA for students who decide at a later date to continue their studies towards the degree.

You will automatically be registered for your classes at the Orientation Day and once fees are paid.

There are 3 contact hours per class and 4 classes per week.

MA in International Relations

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At the heart of the Master program in International Relations is an extended internship position; a full-time work-learning placement that allows students to learn directly from professionals in the IR field. You will be fully assisted by the Program Director and the Internship Office to ensure the successful completion of you internship. Please refer to the Internship Office webpage for a list of recent internship placements: http://www.richmond.ac.uk/content/academic-programs/internships/recent-internships.aspx If students have a specific internship opportunity that they wish to pursue they are encouraged to discuss this in person with the Program Director.

Registration can be completed for the Fall semester prior to arrival as all students take a set number of defined courses. Optional courses that run in the spring will be chosen upon arrival in September.

Students take 4 courses a week. They meet once a week for 3 hours. Students will be expected to supplement their class attendance with reading and research in their own time.