Core Curriculum
Learn about the fundamentals of the liberal arts system at Richmond, The American International University in London.
Learn about the fundamentals of the liberal arts system at Richmond, The American International University in London.
Your degree at Richmond University will take place over four years (or eight semesters) and in the first year you will study a variety of subjects from the core curriculum.
A liberal arts education encourages you to reach across disciplines and build connections between different academic areas. The idea behind the core curriculum is that you receive the best possible start when adapting to the academic world of university, and that you also begin to learn and develop the key transferable skills that the employers are looking for; giving you the competitive edge when you graduate. These skills include written and verbal communication, problem solving, cultural sensitivity and the flexibility to work in a complex and dynamic environment.
Initially studying the core curriculum means you do not have to decide on your major on day one, or even day two, you can take your time, you can try things out before you decide on your specialism. If you know what you want to do, you don’t have to change, but you can try other things that may complement and add to the subject you are passionate about.
The core curriculum consists of ten three-credit courses, which are outlined below.
This course focuses on you as a student, an active citizen and a future employable graduate. How do you imagine yourself in one, five or even ten years’ time?
During the course you will discuss and respond to issues related to the transition to university, reflecting on how you can become an independent learner.
You will research the context of and plan for service learning in the London area. You will learn to use a range of digital platforms for individual and group project work, focussing strongly on effective communication, including oral presentation and taking into account issues of accessibility for all.
This course continues the focus on you as a student, an active citizen and a future employable graduate but makes full use of the research undertaken in ‘London Calling 1’. How can you use London, with all its attractions and all its problems, to help others whilst helping yourself?
During the course you will use the full range of skills being developed, to get involved in service learning in London and reflect critically on the effects both on yourself and on others.
This course explores the ways we can interpret and appreciate different types of art across cultures.
How can we make sense of an art installation that consists of a pile of stones on a gallery floor? How can we understand music and the creative expression behind it?
Through examples from the fine arts, film, theatre, music and fashion, this class engages with broad themes concerning the value of artistic thinking and the role it plays in education, social relations, urbanism and the creative economy.
This course aims to provide a means by which you can effectively communicate an understanding and appreciation of the impact of science on everyday life and academic enquiry. What do you take into account when you consider your carbon footprint? How do you evaluate the quality and conclusions of a double blind trial?
You will explore scientific areas ranging from ethics to evolution, physics to physiology, climate change to conservation, trials and testing to thinkers and innovators.
This course teaches you to reflect critically on scientific theory and information so that you may make informed personal decisions about matters that involve science and understand the importance of science in other areas of your studies.
This course concentrates on developing your ability to read and think critically, and to read, understand and analyse texts from a range of genres.
How do you successfully negotiate a path through a sea of information and then write it up?
Using essential information literacy skills to help with guided research, this course develops your ability to produce effective and appropriate academic writing across the curriculum.
This course focuses on the principles of good scholarship and academic practice that will be required throughout your studies and in the workplace.
How do you develop your critical research and writing skills to be effective in the academic and professional arenas? How do you design and structure an argument that is convincing?
These skills are developed throughout the course so that you may, with increasing confidence, produce well-researched writing that demonstrates critical engagement with a self-selected academic topic.
Choose one from the following.
Any level 3 or 4 Humanities & Social Science course not used to fulfil major requirement.
The following course codes apply:
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If you don’t have a maths requirement in your major
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This course develops an understanding of basic mathematical concepts and their presence in a range of contexts and applications. Is it possible to use mathematics to predict the next new trends in music or the next tsunami? How do you calculate the impact of an oil spill? Topics such as interest rates, interpreting graphs, probabilities associated with decision making and mathematics in the environment and the creative arts will be covered.
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If you are on the majors listed below you will take a maths diagnostic assessment at enrolment to ascertain the appropriate maths course for your level of ability:
Any 3000, 4000, 5000 course not used to fulfil a major requirement.
Any 3000, 4000, 5000 course not used to fulfil a major requirement.
If you enter with A-levels at grade C or above, or equivalent qualifications, you may be exempt from some of these subjects and could complete your degree programme sooner. Students entering with a US High School Diploma or equivalent usually complete in four years.
In order to assess you for potential exemptions we will need to complete a TCE (transfer credit evaluation). For more information please visit our transfer credits page.
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We know how stressful uni can be– with countless hours of work to do it, occasionally you just need to let out some steam. Through exciting activities and events we encourage students to de-stress while developing teamwork and problem solving skills and most importantly having fun!
Some of our notable events include movie/musical nights, themed events and weekly Karaoke nights.
Since the start of the pandemic, the Theatre and performing arts industry has taken a heavy toll so starting this year, we aim to host a variety of fund-raising events in which part will be donated to the West End Theatre Support fund.
Chair: Sheila Mancilla
Contact: raiultheatresociety@richmond.ac.uk
Social: @raiul_theatresociety
This club will give proper coaching and will teach the techniques need to play cricket with proper guidance and intelligence. The aim is to produce full squad of cricket, and to debut our university cricket team to league matches.
Chair: Shaunak Jani
Contact: 000102888@richmond.ac.uk
Matrix is a new ‘incubator’ initiative that has been launched by Richmond Business School, it will be available to all Richmond’s students, staff and alumni. Visit MATRIX webpage.
Chair: Axelina Eriksson
Contact: matrix@richmond.ac.uk
Webpage: MATRIX
The mission of the club is to bring a sense of peace, balance among the physical, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of an individuals life. We will be practising and reading tarot cards, meditation, manifestations, moon rituals, learning about crystals.
Chair: Semphung Limbu
Contact: 000107767@richmond.ac.uk
Students who are interested in Math!
Art Society is about providing a place and time for students during university life to create art, develop their techniques and portfolios, create bonds with fellow artists in the school, and build skills that will benefit their careers after university.
Chair: Amanda Falcon Ramirez & Maitreya Ravenstar
Contact: artsociety@richmond.ac.uk
Social: @richmond_art_society
Our mission is to have events to network with alumni and other inspiring women in leadership. Creating a bridge between the students at Richmond and the professional world while empowering women. Also, Students at Richmond come from diverse backgrounds and have unique experiences, women in leadership society aim to be a place where students can also network with each other.
Chair: Zhanae James
Contact: 000100054@richmond.ac.uk
Social: womenofrichmond
United in Diversity is RAIUL’s LGBTQIA+ Student Society. Its goal is to provide a safe and inclusive space for our university’s LGBTQIA+ students. We organize events such as film screenings, game nights and other social events.
Chair: Jonathan Cassanova
Contact: 000099907@richmond.ac.uk
Social: @raiul_unitedindiversity
This club aims to create a full functioning squad of football players, and will be competing in a league throughout the academic year hoping for the best league finish possible.
Chair: Yara Mansour and Ali Toema
Contact: 000097253@richmond.ac.uk
RPA exists to promote/support mental health across Richmond University, as well as provide educational talks and events focused around psychology.
Chair: Mya Chopra-McFarlane
Contact: 000094874@richmond.ac.uk
Dance club brings people together who would love to spend their free time exploring dance in different styles.
Chair: Sabina Novicka
Contact: 000105041@richmond.ac.uk
Social: richmonddanceclub
Read and discuss books!
Chair: Tamar Dimbert
Contact: 000097730@richmond.ac.uk
Our main goal is to provide a community for those who feel like they don’t really belong in a ‘national’ society and to take pride in our hybrid identities and values. Most of all, we are here to promote the fun that can sometimes lack because of the pressures of uni life!
We hope to provide a safe space for you to be yourself, shake off the imposter syndrome through organising social events and will be collaborating with other societies to ensure you really get a taste of what Richmond society life is really like!
Chair: Zhanae James
Contact: 000100054@richmond.ac.uk
The society is open to everyone regardless of how much you already know about Korean Culture.We aim to create a vibrant and welcoming environment that provide a opportunity to share your love and interests in Korean Culture. It can be K-pop, Kdramas, beauty and fashion, language, food or history.
Chair: Rabia Zulfiqar
Contact: 000102453@richmond.ac.uk
Social: @RichmondKoreanSociety
Her Campus is an online magazine at Richmond which is part of a global community of other chapters. We create written and social media content, host events and most importantly have fun while getting to know our female student community.
Chair: Olivia Fox
Contact: 000097249@richmond.ac.uk
Social: @hcatrichmondlondon
We’re a team of dedicated tree-huggers who hope to contribute to sustainable living on campus and in the London community.
Chair: Sabrina Fielden
Contact: 000101456@richmond.ac.uk
Social: raiulgreenproject
We are a society who finds laughter and joy in watching the Great British Bake Off! We love providing baked goods for the people in our community who are volunteering as well as donating money from our bake sales to the local charities we support.
Chair: Amanda Einberg
Contact: 000096872@richmond.ac.uk
Social: raiul.baking
Weekly or biweekly movie nights, discussions on upcoming movies, movie trivia, movie/tv show theme week, voting polls on favorite/least favorite characters.
Fashion Society aims to bring together like minded students to discuss the latest trends and come together to create something unique. Fashion society is inclusive to all no matter how much experience you have. If you like to create, talk, or even just wear cloths fashion society is the place for you.
Chairs: Raphaella Pope and Bella Hoffman
Contact: 000101253@richmond.ac.uk
Economics and Investment Banking Forum aims to provide opportunities for students to gain knowledge and experience in Finance, Economics and Investment Banking fields, hopefully increasing their future career perspectives. Our club is open to all students so everyone has the opportunity to explore their fields of interest and contribute to the club’s direction. Currently, we are mostly focused on Investment Banking (M&A’s) and Corporate Finance aspects such as market research, financial analysis, business valuation and financial modelling.
Chair: Marcin Stryjecki
Contact: economicsinvestmentbankingforum@richmond.ac.uk
Code is the language of the modern world. The coding society is here to give a better understanding of coding and a beginner level of skills. Coding skills are good for your career prospects and more job roles now require them. And as a little bonus, coding skills attract higher wages.
Chair: Tamilla Zohdi
Contact: 000092728@richmond.ac.uk