American & British Accreditation
Richmond, the American International University in London holds independent accreditation from three separate agencies. The University is accredited by The Middle States Commission on Higher Education in United States.
Richmond is also approved by The Open University as an appropriate organization to offer higher education programs leading to Open University Validated Awards, and received a positive outcome from the review visit by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) in 2017 (see below for further details).
Richmond, the American International University in London has undergone a Higher Education Review (Alternative Providers) (see below for further details on the review) by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and has received its final report, which is available in full at: www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews-and-reports/provider?UKPRN=10005470
We have received the following judgements from QAA:
- The maintenance of the academic standards of awards offered on behalf of degree-awarding bodies and/or other awarding organisations meets UK expectations.
- The quality of student learning opportunities meets UK expectations.
- The quality of the information about learning opportunities meets UK expectations.
- The enhancement of student learning opportunities meets UK expectations.
Our action plan following our successful QAA HER (AP) review is found here.
A message from President John Annette:
“We are delighted to announce that the QAA in their report has recognised the excellent work of the University. In particular, with regard to the quality of the student learning experience the review stated,
‘There are two features of good practice in this judgement area, relating to the wide and varied range of opportunities for students to develop skills and build experience, which enables them to develop their professional potential, and to the personalised learning support provided to students throughout their studies, which enables them to develop their personal and academic potential.’ I am grateful to the colleagues in DAAQA for their excellent work in organising the successful review but also the faculty and administrative staff who support students for their commitment to providing high quality learning experiences.”
Richmond is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267-284-5000). The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Richmond is licensed to award Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, and Master of Business Administration degrees by the Department of Education in the State of Delaware.
UK Special Recognition of the Richmond Degree
The Education (Recognized Awards) (Richmond The American International University in London) Order 2006
From the Minister of State 23rd November 2006 Department for Education and Skills
UK Visas and Immigration Register of Licensed Sponsors: Students
Richmond, The American International University in London has been awarded a Highly Trusted Sponsorship licence (license number TMDJD286X) by the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration agency. This Sponsor’s Licence permits Richmond to issue Certificates of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to prospective students. A CAS is required by UKVI for any non-EEA international student seeking to obtain entry clearance to the UK.
Click here to view the Register of Sponsors: Students.
Recognized by UK NARIC
UK NARIC is the National Agency responsible for providing information, advice and expert opinion on vocational, academic and professional skills and qualifications from over 180 countries worldwide. Managed on behalf of the UK Government, UK NARIC provides the only official source of information on international qualifications to organisations recruiting from overseas and to individuals wishing to work or study in the UK.
www.naric.org.uk
www.naric.org.uk/index.asp?page=82
UK NARIC
Oriel House
Oriel Road
Cheltenham
Glos, GL50 1XP
t: + 44 1242 258621
f: + 44 1242 258611
Open University Validation
Richmond’s undergraduate and some postgraduate degree programmes are validated by The Open University (OU). Validation of its degrees by The OU means that Richmond’s BA, BS and MA degrees are certified as being of comparable standard to the Bachelors degree with Honours (denoted BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons) in the UK and Masters degrees awarded to students directly registered with The Open University and other UK universities. The benefits of validation include enhanced recognition of Richmond degrees throughout the European Union and in other parts of the world where British influence is significant, and this association may also assist with specific financial benefits (grants and loans) for citizens/residents of European Union countries.
An integral part of validation by The OU is the appointment of external examiners for each degree programme. External examiners, who are normally experienced academics from other British universities, review the content and structure of the degree programmes at the 5000-, 6000- and 7000-levels. They also review samples of assessed academic work from a broad cross-section of students in the programme, comment on academic standards of the work and the programmes, make recommendations for enhancement or comment on good practice, and, in particular, offer information about how Richmond’s degrees compare with the same or similar awards at other universities in the UK. Completion of Richmond degree requirements results in the award of a Richmond diploma signifying completion of the US-accredited degree program and, normally, a degree parchment from The Open University signifying validation of the degree obtained.
British Honours degrees at undergraduate level are classified as first class (1st), upper second class (2.1), lower second class (2.2) and third class (3rd). Pass degrees are not classified as Honours degrees. The results of students achieving Masters degrees equates to British Masters degrees awarded with Distinction (A and A- grades) and Pass (B range grades).
For further details of OU validation, please see the University Catalogue. The OU Student Handbook provides more information for students on services and the qualifications provided by The Open University.
Professional Accreditations
The BPS accreditation gives Richmond Psychology graduates the opportunity to gain Graduate and/or Chartered Membership of the Society and access to the widest range of training, development and employment opportunities.
Richmond Business School is an accredited Higher Education Partner of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
