MA/MBA/MSC Programmes
The entry requirements for the MA and MBA levels of our postgraduate programmes are:
- UK first degree with minimum second class honours (2.2)
- US degree with a minimum CGPA of between 2.5 and 3.0
- or international equivalent
How to apply
Postgraduate
Start your application, apply to us direct
Important information for current and prospective students
The majority of our masters degrees are one-year (full-time) and two year (part-time) programmes designed to prepare candidates for careers in their desired field of study. Some of our programmes differ in length, please see the relevant website page for details.
Across all postgraduate degrees, innovative courses on contemporary issues are taught, opportunity for practical application is fostered, and seminars are conducted by leading guest speakers. These complementing and supporting elements combine to create a learning opportunity that is profoundly challenging and awakening.
Whilst most of our courses do not set an exact deadline for applications, you are advised to apply early to secure your place and organise any sponsorship or funding.
You can apply for postgraduate study using our online application form.
Entry requirements
The University accepts a wide range of international postgraduate degree award qualifications. Occasionally the University may invite candidates to attend an interview.
We understand that not every student is in the same situation, if you have any questions about your qualifications, please get in touch with us [email protected].
Supporting documents
Please submit the following items to be considered for one of our Postgraduate Programmes:
- A completed postgraduate application for admissions form.
- A personal statement
- Curriculum vitae/resume
- Official/certified transcripts of all undergraduate work:
- Please submit certified copies of all grades (including courses taken), diplomas, certificates of programme completion, and any end-of-program or end-of-year examination results.
- If the transcripts are not in English, official translation will be required.
- English language test results
Need a question answered?
Check our Frequently Asked Questions webpage for more details
English language requirements
The University is committed to support candidates to further develop their English language skills to succeed in our academic programmes.
Applicants who are not native speakers of English are required to demonstrate the required level their English Language proficiency indicated below. There are a number of ways this can be achieved.
- A valid (in date) recognised English language test required of those who require a tier 4 student visa (programmes longer than 6 months in duration) to study in the UK
- Nationals from a majority English speaking country* as defined by the UKVI, are not required to provide proof English as foreign language proficiency
- Completion of an undergraduate programme in the UK
*Majority English-speaking countries are defined as follows: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom and USA.
MA/MBA Programmes
The English language entry requirements for the MA and MBA levels of our postgraduate programmes are:
- IELTS: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each of the four components
- TOEFL iBT: 92 overall with 21 in Listening, 22 in Reading, 21 in Writing, 23 in Speaking
- Pearson Test of English: 65 overall with 60 in each of the four components
- Cambridge: 176 overall with 169 in each of the four components
MSc Programmes
The English language entry requirements for the MSc level of our postgraduate programmes are:
- IELTS: 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each of the four components
- TOEFL iBT: 79 overall with 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 17 in Writing, 20 in Speaking
- Pearson Test of English: 60 overall with 55 in each of the four components
- Cambridge: 169 overall with 162 in each of the four components
Alternative English Language qualifications
We also accept a range of alternative qualifications to demonstrate your level of English Language proficiency. Validity: For admissions and CAS purposes, period of validity for all country-specific English language waivers is 2 years for postgraduate programmes.
Alternative English language qualifications - Postgraduate
| Qualification | Equivalent to IELTS 6.0 |
| GCSE (English language) | C or 4 |
| A Level (GCE A-Level/AS-Level English Language or English Language & Literature) | C |
| Edexcel iGCSE – English as first language (including speaking and listening) | C |
| Edexcel iGCSE – English as a second language | B |
| Cambridge International Education (CIE) iGCSE English as first language (syllabus 0500 & 0522)* | C |
| Cambridge International Education (CIE) iGCSE English as a second language (syllabus 0510 & 0511)* | B |
| O level | C |
| Singapore Cambridge O level | C |
| Singapore Integrated Programme (IP) | Language Arts grade C or CAP 2.5 |
| NUS National University of Singapore High School (English language component) | Grade B (grade point 3.5) |
| Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher level) (For qualifications awarded from 2017 onwards) | H4 |
| International Baccalaureate (English component) | English A (HL/SL): Grade 4 |
| English B (HL/SL): Grade 4 | |
| Indian Year 12 (English component CBSE and ISC boards only) | 70% overall |
| European Baccalaureate (English as L1-L3) | 6.5 |
| HKDSE (English core component) | Level 4 |
| US High School Diploma | CGPA 3.3 |
| French Baccalaureat (General- English writing and speaking combined) | 14 (bien) where the co-efficient applied to the subject is greater than 1 |
| French Baccalaureat (OIB English/American - overall) | 12 |
| Norwegian Vitnemal (English component) | 4 |
| German Abitur (English component) | 12 (gut) |
| Dutch Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) (English component) | 7 (goed) |
| Finnish Ylioppilastutkinto (English component) | 5 (magna cum laude approbatur) |
| Swedish Avgångsbetyg / Slutbetyg (English component) | VG or B (must include at least 300 credits combined) |
| Danish STX/HF/HHX or HTX (English component) | Writing 7, Oral 7 |
| West African Examinations Council - West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) | C6 |
| Malaysian SPM 1119 (2021 onwards) | C |
(Hint: Scroll left & right to view the full table)
Need help meeting requirements?
Richmond is now delighted to be able to offer our prospective students opportunities to meet our English language requirements in a number of ways.
If you don’t meet our standard English requirements we now offer Online Pre-Sessional Course (OPSE) in collaboration with Oxford International.
Online Pre-Sessional Course (OPSE)
Pre Sessional English courses are offered over 6, 12 or 16-weeks
Visa & Immigration
In order to study in the UK, you’ll need to meet the various visa and immigration conditions outlined by the Home Office. Our team of specialist and experienced student advisers can help you with guidance on all of these matters.
Visit our Visa & Immigration webpage for more details on both the Student Route and Standard Visitor visa options.
Find help in your country
If you need assistance with your application or meeting University requirements, please visit our dedicated webpage for approved Agents & Partners.
Additional Information
Any professional experience and other evidence of commitment to the subject area are considered in order to provide a broader picture of an applicant’s suitability to the programme.
It is also encouraged to submit a Sample of Academic Writing (must be academically cited; 8-20 pages and/or 2,000-5,000 typed words), though please note this is not required.
Admissions Policy
The admissions process is a multi-step team approach. Typically, applications are reviewed by the Postgraduate Applications Review Committee which consists of the Programme Director and the Head of Admissions. These parties will be responsible for deciding upon all matters pertaining to this area. Read our Admissions Policy.
Applications are reviewed holistically. Applications are not eliminated for admission based on test scores, nationality, gender, ethnicity or other factors. Each criterion is considered to provide a holistic picture of an applicant’s qualifications. This process allows the committee to select those candidates most likely to be successful in our Programmes.
Privacy and Security of Student Information
Richmond takes the privacy and security of our prospective students seriously and therefore we would prefer to discuss details of your application and enrolment with you directly rather than with parents, relatives or friends. In exceptional circumstances we may talk to a third party about your application but we will need your permission before we do this so that we are compliant with UK and US Data Protection Laws.
If you need us to talk to a nominated third party on your behalf then please complete and return this form. Permission to discuss Application with Third Party
Please feel free to contact your Office of Admissions (as outlined opposite) if you have any questions about the status of your application.
Accreditation
Postgraduate students at Richmond will study for either an MBA or a Master of Arts degree. Richmond is Accredited in the US by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Richmond is also registered in the US as a not-for-profit corporation.
