Information for Parents & Carers
Starting university is a big step in students’ lives, but we understand that it can mean many changes for the family too. These pages will provide you with relevant information, help you to understand what your daughter/son is going through and how you can help them.
Key dates
Key dates in the University calendar which may be useful.
Please note, dates for on-campus learning are dependent on the outcome of lockdown and social distancing measures.
Fall 2020
| Virtual orientation | Monday 21 September 2020 |
| Online learning commences | Monday 28 September 2020 |
| Move in date | Monday 26 October 2020 |
| On-campus orientation | Monday 26 – Friday 30 October 2020 |
| On-campus teaching commences | Monday 2 November 2020 |
Spring 2021
| On-campus teaching/start of new semester | Tuesday 12 January 2021 |
Fall 2020 – guaranteed start
What’s happening for Fall 2020 at Richmond?
We appreciate that the current situation with Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the implications for starting university may be a concern. This is a very unsettling time for all prospective students but please be assured that if your son or daughter has an offer to study with us, it still stands. Whilst the situation on Coronavirus is continually evolving, we can however guarantee that all prospective students will be able to start their degree programme at Richmond at the end of September 2020.
Based on advice from the UK Government, ensuring the welfare of our students and staff is our absolute priority. That’s why we have taken the decision to commence the semester with a blended combination of online and on-campus teaching for all new students in the Fall.
Please see our website for more details.
What are the planned timings for Fall 2020?
Our virtual orientations will start on Monday 21 September, with the online course beginning a week later on Monday 28 September with supported learning for all new students.
Dependent on the outcome of lockdown and social distancing measures, we plan to commence on-campus teaching at Richmond on Monday 2 November, with students being able to move into their campus accommodation from Monday 26 October and on-campus orientation taking place from 26-30 October. There may also be an option for your son or daughter to defer the start of their programme at Richmond until the Spring semester in January 2021. Both of these options will be confirmed once UK Government guidance has been clarified. We are closely monitoring the situation and planning for all eventualities.
How can I find out more about funding for September 2020?
If your son/daughter plans on applying for SFE funding, please await further instruction from the University. For further details, please see our Fees and funding website page.
We also have a range of great scholarships on offer to make your university education more affordable, see our website for details.
Who do I contact for more information on Fall 2020 admissions?
If you would like more information or have any questions, our Admissions and Recruitment team would be happy to help. Please email our team on enquiries@richmond.ac.uk. If you are in the US, please email usadmissions@richmond.ac.uk.
What academic support will be provided for Fall 2020?
We will be teaching one course online for three weeks (from Monday 28 September to Friday 16 October) for both undergraduates and postgraduates.
Academic support will be available for all students during this online learning phase – The University offers virtual appoints with faculty through our maths workshop and writing centre. Our office for Student Affairs can also support you with peer to peer tutoring and mentoring from trained student leaders.
This will mean that students’ programmes will be able to get underway before on-campus teaching commences in November, providing that lockdown restrictions are removed. The remainder of the courses will be taught once on-campus teaching is available.
Will there be any visa restrictions for Fall 2020?
We will be regularly monitoring the latest Home Office information and guidance. The latest indications from the Home Office are that international students can start a degree programme online but will need to apply for a visa if they are able to move into on-campus learning.
You can find general information about visas on this link:
gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/student-visas
More specific information or Coronavirus and Tier 4 visas is available here:
gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-tier-4-sponsors-migrants-and-short-term-students
What social distancing measures are in place?
Please visit our dedicated webpage for information related to Fall 2020 including measures introduced for social distancing.
Support for Parents
Parents Facebook Group
Join the Richmond Parents Facebook group to meet other families, share tips, and ask questions.
Parents’ newsletter
We realise that it’s useful for parents to be kept informed of what is happening on campus. The Student Affairs team will be creating a newsletter for parents after the planned on-campus orientation at the beginning of November, around midterm week and again near final exams.
‘Permission’ form
Please note that we cannot talk to parents about the specifics of their children’s academic progress or anything else relating to their children unless the students sign the ‘Permission to Release Confidential Information‘ form.
Support for students – safety and general facilities on campus
What food is available on campus?
Both of our main campus buildings in Richmond and Kensington offer fully catered options for students, including meal plans.
In addition, hot and cold drinks and fresh snacks for every taste are available in our own coffee shop and ‘create your own baguette’ bar.
A Starbucks coffee shop is also available at both campuses.
Can you tell me more about the accommodation?
Situated in a quiet residential area, and close to the lecture theatre, the main building is the oldest on the Richmond campus. It’s a real hub of activity for the University, offering a lot of convenience. With something always happening, there’s a relaxed yet vibrant ‘buzz’ about its atmosphere. This is the place to be if your son or daughter would like to mingle with academics and all of the students from across the campus.
Most of our first and second year students are housed in the main Richmond building which features 151 rooms of varying size and shape, with smaller rooms in the tower – the main building provides separate male and female accommodation for up to 193 students.
Linen is provided and rooms are cleaned once per week (upon request).
Many of the rooms have sink facilities while toilets and showers are shared.
What security is provided on the campuses?
Our campus in Richmond upon Thames is set in a five acre site in a quiet, residential area surrounded by beautiful parkland. Twenty-four hour security is provided at both of our campuses in Richmond and Kensington, with CCTV throughout the sites.
A reception facility is also provided at the main campus buildings during term-time, Monday to Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm. Each room at our Richmond campus benefits from having a personal safe.
Can you tell me how my son/daughter will get a key card?
Key card access is provided for all the campus buildings, with new students being given a personalised key card on arrival at the Richmond or Kensington campus.
Prior to arriving at Richmond, we encourage all new students to send a copy of a recent passport size photo in jpeg format to Admissions in order to process their ID cards. The photos must show a close-up of students’ full head and shoulders. It must be only of the student with no other objects or people, facing forwards and looking straight at the camera. The photo must meet our standards or the photo will be rejected and students will be required to resubmit a new image.
To speed things up on orientation day, students can use the following web application to take a passport photo www.epassportphoto.com. Once the photos are ready, they should be saved as a jpeg file with the student’s full name and sent to admissions@richmond.ac.uk.
What free support/services are available at the University for my son/daughter?
At our campuses in Richmond and Kensington they will find:
- Free WiFi throughout our two campuses
- Unlimited printing
- IT labs
- Access to a small gym
- Campus events and activities
- Free, confidential counselling services
- Personal Academic Advisor
- Peer mentoring scheme
- Peer tutoring scheme
- Library and quiet zones for study
- Career services through personal development seminars, leadership opportunities, work experience, volunteering
Who should I contact when things go wrong?
Our Student Affairs team should be contacted if you have any concerns about your son/daughter or would like to ask any questions on student life. They can be reached at: studentaffairs@richmond.ac.uk
Doctors’ & GP Surgeries
While your son or daughter is studying at Richmond as a full-time degree student, they may access the nation’s health care system (the NHS) free of charge. During new student orientation, they will have the opportunity to register with a local doctor’s office and meet with a nurse from the practice. This registration will allow them to access free doctor’s visits and discounted prescription drugs (depending on their age). They may also receive free emergency care at local NHS hospitals.
If your son or daughter is a study abroad student, they will need to register in person at the surgery with their Richmond ID card. As they will only be staying in the UK less than 6 months, they will have to pay for their medical expenses up front (generally £50-70 per visit depending on which surgery they visit) and claim this back on their insurance provided by AIFS.
The Student Affairs Office can help them through this process.
Counselling Services
Richmond offers confidential counselling services to all students at both London campuses.
Counselling sessions can be booked directly through our Counsellors at either site.
For questions about their services, please contact us at: studentaffairs@richmond.ac.uk
Please see our website for more information on healthcare and counselling.
Moving in
Dependent on lockdown and social distancing measures, we are planning for new students to move into their accommodation on Monday 26 October. Our campuses and accommodation sites will be busy – make sure you know what to expect, and what you will need to do.
Before you move in
Make sure you have read our essential information about moving in, which includes information about insurance, and other important details.
Getting to your accommodation
Make sure you plan your journey and know where you need to be, to avoid any last minute panics. There will be signage to direct you, but knowing which accommodation site you are going to and having clear directions will help. When you reach your accommodation, security staff will be on hand to direct you to your drop off zone.
After new students have moved in
There will be a range of orientation activities taking place from 26 – 30 October. More details will be released closer to the time.
Hotel accommodation
If you book with the Richmond Hill Hotel and quote that you are connected with Richmond University (a family member of a student for example) during booking, you could receive a 10% discount on their Best Available Rate *.
*There are certain peak times of year when this discount will not apply. Speak to the Richmond Hill Hotel directly for more information.
The Richmond Harbour Hotel & Spa
If you book with The Richmond Harbour Hotel & Spa and quote that you are connected with Richmond University, (a family member of a student for example) during booking, you could receive a 15% discount on the Best Available Rate. You could also enjoy some of these additional benefits:
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Complimentary use of the HarSPA facilities (indoor pool, steam room, stone sauna) and full Gym facilities. All areas are refurbished.
- The Gate Kitchen-Bar-Terrace offers seasonal food and an al fresco garden.
- Three great social events & meetings areas
- 10% off the Food & Beverage (excluding Saturdays)
Help and support
Our friendly student staff (Richmond hoodies) will be happy to help you unload and move your belongings to your accommodation – feel free to ask them for any help you might need.
Contact Student Affairs
If you have any questions about moving in, please contact our Student Affairs team at: studentaffairs@richmond.ac.uk
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