How to apply
Undergraduate
Start your application, apply to us direct, via UCAS or the Common App
Important information for prospective students
Richmond is the only university in the UK where the degree programmes are based on the US educational approach which is a four year pathway. Every undergraduate degree student will take our Liberal Arts programme alongside their Major.
Some of our degree programmes can now be taken as a three year pathway depending on previous qualifications. The entry requirements for all undergraduate programmes at Richmond are the same, regardless of your chosen Major.
If you have any problems completing your online application, please contact us: admissions@richmond.ac.uk.
You can apply for undergraduate study using our online application form.
Entry requirements
Undergraduate applicants should meet at least one of the following academic achievements for successful admission into Richmond.
- A Level: 96 UCAS tariff points
- US High School Diploma (or equivalent): 2.5 GPA minimum (on 4.0 scale)
- International Baccalaureate: 24 IB points
- BTEC National Diploma: Merit Merit Merit (MMM)
Applicants to the ‘with Foundation’ programme need to achieve the following requirements at GCSE level.
- GCSEs: 5 at grade C or above / grade 4-9 (or equivalent)
Supporting documents
Additional entry requirements (please note, your application will not be complete until all items below are received by admissions).
- Application for undergraduate admission
- Your personal statement
- Official school transcripts (if you are a transfer applicant with less than 30 credits, you must also submit official secondary school transcripts)
- English language test scores (required for students whose native language is not English. Please see below regarding this requirement)
- If you have not been at school or college within the last six months please provide a copy of your Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Resume
UCAS Applications
If you are a UK or EU national then you can apply for an undergraduate course through UCAS. Non-EU nationals, including students from the US, can use UCAS if they are also applying to other UK universities.
- The institutions UCAS code is R20.
Students applying via UCAS will receive their admission decision both directly from the Office of Admissions and also in the UCAS system.
The Common App
Students from the USA can apply through The Common Application. Non US students can also use The Common Application if they are applying to other US universities.
Many students applying from the United States prefer to use The Common Application. Students wishing to apply to Richmond via The Common Application may need to search for the following institution names:
- “Richmond University”
- “Richmond University in London”
- “Richmond, The American International University in London”
English language requirements
Applicants who are not native speakers of English must demonstrate the required level of English Language proficiency indicated below. There are a number of ways this can be achieved:
- A valid (in date) recognised English Language test for those who require a 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 of English language proficiency
- Completion of an undergraduate programme in the UK
*Majority English Speaking Countries are defined as the following: 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.
English Language Requirements (by qualification)
Qualification |
Requirement |
Validity Period |
| IELTS (Academic) | 5.5 with 5.5 in Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing | 2 Years |
| TOEFL iBT | 72 with 17 Listening, 18 in Reading, 17 Writing, 20 Speaking | 2 Years |
| ELLT Oxford International | B2 in each of the four components | |
| Pearson Test of English | 51 with 51 in each component | 2 Years |
| Cambridge First/Advanced/Proficiency – taken after January 2015 |
162 overall (no less than 162 in each component) | No Expiry |
| Cambridge First/Advanced/Proficiency – taken before January 2015 |
Cambridge First: Grade B overall (No less than B in any component) | No Expiry |
| Cambridge Advanced: Grade C (no less than C in any component) less than C in any component) | No Expiry | |
| Cambridge Proficiency: Level C1 certificate | No Expiry | |
| International Baccalaureate (Diploma candidates only) |
Higher Level / Standard Level English Language B (5 IB points) |
No Expiry |
(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.
You can book an online English Language Level Test (ELLT) or apply and take part in the preparation course.
If you don’t meet our standard English requirements we now offer Online Pre-Sessional Course (OPSE) in collaboration with Oxford International.
Deadlines
Richmond runs a rolling admissions procedure for all its degree courses. Once we have received your completed forms and all the necessary accompanying documentation, we will consider your application and provide you with a decision as soon as possible.
If you are waiting for references or final exam results, you may still send your application and may be accepted on a conditional basis. Any remaining documents required by the University must be submitted to the Admissions Office before registration.
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.
Additional information
Advanced Credit and Transfer Students
The term ‘Advanced Credit’ refers to courses at the equivalent level to first-year US university level study, but taken at a secondary or high school rather than at a university. Examples include: the International Baccalaureate, UK AS and A-levels, US Advanced Placement exams, Indian Secondary/Senior School Certificate at Grade XII, German Abitur, French Baccalauréat.
*Advanced Credit:
Students meeting this standard in relevant subjects will normally be given exemption from introductory courses and may complete the degree programme in less than four years. See the ABMA Advanced Early Qualifications link (below) for advanced entry details for students holding ABMA qualifications. Candidates with US High School Diplomas or other entry qualifications can be considered for entry to year 1 of the 4-year degree programmes. ABMA Advanced Entry Qualifications
Students with Advanced Standing:
A student who has passed an Advanced Placement Test will be given six credits for each subject in which a grade 3,4 or 5 is achieved. A student who has passed an A level (advanced level) examination will be given nine credits for each subject in which a grade of A, B or C is achieved. Six credits will be given for a grade of D or E. Students with advanced qualifications may be awarded course credit towards the BA or BS degree. Examples are the International Baccalaureate, the Baccalauréat de l’Enseignement du Second Degré (France), the Abitur/Reifzeugnis (Germany), the Diploma di Maturità (Italy), and the School Leaving Diploma from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.
“Transfer Student” would be a student who has studied previously at a university and is looking to transfer from their current institution to Richmond to earn their degree at Richmond.
The process:
Once a student applies for Admission to Richmond, the Academic Registry assesses your academic record to consider all courses for possible transfer credit, ensuring that you receive the most useful credits to you at Richmond. This means that you can enter the university having already completed some courses from your Richmond degree.
Note: The amount of transfer credits that you receive will depend on your choice of Richmond major and how this fits with the subjects you have previously taken at university level study.
Up to 30 credits may be awarded for advanced level qualifications, and students receive credit for specific Richmond courses (modules), meaning that they have already earned credit towards their Richmond degree.
For AP exams, scores need to be at 3 or higher.
For IB, scores need to be at 4 or higher.
For A-levels at grades A-C, nine credits are awarded per subject, and for grades D-E, six credits per subject. Stand-alone AS levels passed at grade C or higher are eligible for three credits per subject.
Students who are taking A-levels, IB or AP exams may consult the following chart to find the Richmond course equivalents to their course subjects:
Course equivalent charts for A-levels, IB and AP exams
Provisional transfer credits may be initially awarded, if the academic documentation is received in an unofficial form (for example: on-line results). In such cases, transfer credits will not be officially granted until and unless official documentation is received. This may also happen with provisional results from university transcripts, IB or A-level grades, where the official transcripts, diplomas and certificates are not produced until later in the year.
Council of International Schools
The Council of International Schools (CIS) is the leading organizing body in International Education for the accreditation of schools and in the development of best practice in education standards and development. Richmond, the American International University in London has been a proud and active member since 1972. As a member we uphold the same standards of international education and service to our students as championed by the Council and as practiced amongst all member schools.
The central purpose of CIS is to enable member organizations to achieve and deliver the highest standards in International Education and continually improve the outcome of student learning.
Here are some aspects of CIS membership services:
CIS Accreditation Service
Sets and develops standards for international education worldwide and manages the accreditation process.
CIS Teacher Recruitment Service
Assists schools in recruiting quality staff, and helps teacher candidates to find rewarding employment.
CIS Leadership/Governance Services
Assists schools in selecting the key players to fill senior positions, while assisting school boards and heads to work together efficiently and constructively.
CIS and Richmond
Most if not all CIS members have sent students to us, and many of those students have earned scholarships at Richmond. We believe passionately that if students are looking to extend their international education, here at Richmond we offer an obvious choice for higher education.
Uniquely positioned for a world that is becoming more interconnected and interdependent, Richmond’s dual accreditation and flexible academic programs develop the whole person for positions of international influence after University.
International Baccalaureate Resources
As an International Baccalaureate student deciding on a university, you are undoubtedly faced with numerous questions about how to continue your international education. Wehope you will find these pages provide straightforward answers. We think you’ll quickly discover how Richmond’s offering of an American education in a British setting will prepare you for a global future beyond compare.
The liberal arts curriculum offered at Richmond works hand in hand with the IB program, to enable a smooth transition from secondary school to university studies. This is why over the years Richmond has become an attractive destination for IB students from around the world, with 30% of our student population coming from IB schools.
If we can be of any assistance to you do not hesitate to contact our Admissions Office by email at: admissions@richmond.ac.uk
Advanced University Credit Offered for the IB Diploma and Certificates
Students with advanced qualifications may be awarded course credit towards completion of degrees after review by the Academic Registry. Typically, these students are granted exemption from some courses in the Richmond Core Curriculum or for lower-division courses in their majors.
International Baccalaureate credits are determined by the guidelines outlined by the International Baccalaureate Organization. The IB awards six credits 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. Last year, students admitted to Richmond University had an average score of 33.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit Awards
| IB SUBJECT (GRADES 4, 5, 6, or 7) | SL (3 cr) | HL (6 cr) |
| Art/Design | ADM 103 | ADM 103/110 |
| Biology | BIO 113/4 | BIO 113/4 |
| Business & Management | ECN 103 | ECN 103 |
| Chemistry | CHM 113/4 | CHM 113/4 |
| Classical Latin | ELECTIVE | ELECTIVE |
| Computer Science | CSC 121 | CSC 107/121 |
| Design Technology | SCI ELECTIVE | SCI ELECTIVE |
| Economics | ECN 211 | ECN 210/211 |
| English A1 or A2 | ENG 111 | ENG 111/LIT 200 |
| Environmental Systems | ENV 150/1 | ENV 150/1 |
| French B | FRN 111/112 | FRN 111/112 |
| Geography | ENV 101 | ENV 101 |
| German B | ELECTIVE | ELECTIVE |
| History | HST ELECTIVE | HST ELECTIVE |
| History of the Americas | HST 235 | HST 235/6 |
| History of Europe | HST ELECTIVE | HST ELECTIVE |
| Info Tech in a Global Society | CSC/SCL 215 | CSC/SCL 215 + ELECTIVE |
| Math, Advanced | MTH 117 | MTH 117 + ELECTIVE |
| Math Methods | MTH 105 | MTH 105/115 |
| Math Studies | MTH ELECTIVE | MTH ELECTIVE |
| Music | ELECTIVE | ELECTIVE |
| Philosophy | PHL 203 | PHL 203 + ELECTIVE |
| Physics | PHY 123/124 | PHY 123/124 |
| Psychology | PSY 150 | PSY 150/205 |
| Russian | ELECTIVE | ELECTIVE |
| Social Anthropology | ANT 150 | ANT 150 + ELECTIVE |
| Spanish B | SPN 111/112 | SPN 111/112 |
| Theatre Arts | THR 204 | THR 105/204 |
| Visual Arts | ADM 103 | ADM 103/110 |
| World Cultures | HST ELECTIVE |
