| Richmond, The American International University in London | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Unity in Diversity |
| Established | 1972 (The original Richmond College, University of London, was founded in 1843)[1] |
| Chairman | Mr. A. Michael Hoffman |
| Chancellor | Sir Cyril Taylor[2] |
| President | Dr. John Annette |
| Provost | Prof. Phil Deans |
| Academic staff | 83[3] |
| Students | approx. 1500[4] |
| Location | London, England, UK |
| Campus | London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Kensington |
| Website | http://www.richmond.ac.uk/ |
Richmond, The American International University in London is a private, liberal arts and professional studies university. It is an internationally accredited institution[5] established in 1972 in Richmond, London. The university's degrees are accredited in the USA by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education,[6] and are validated in the UK by the Open University Validation Services (OUVS).[7]
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The university is split between two campuses, both in the Greater London area: the Richmond campus, located near the crest of Richmond Hill and approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from Richmond station, and the Kensington campus, located at a point equidistant between Kensington High Street and Cromwell Road. The Richmond campus is the primary residence of undergraduate students, especially freshman who have just enrolled at the university; its facade is a major symbol of the school and appears on almost all promotional literature. The school's headquarters and admissions department are also located here. The Kensington campus, in reality, is a closely grouped set of buildings rather than a campus. It is where many of the upper-level undergraduate students reside. Both campuses are reasonably close to London Underground stations and the Richmond campus is served by the London Buses 371 route, currently operated by Transdev London. Access to the town of Kingston can be made using this route.
The university is accredited in the United States, while in the United Kingdom degrees are validated by the Open University; this means that its degrees are equally valid in both countries.[8] The primary curricula available for study at Richmond are:
Lower-division courses are primarily taught at the Richmond campus. Upper-division courses are unevenly split, with all of the CMS courses and some of the business, finance and humanities courses taught at the Richmond campus; the remainder of the courses are taught at the Kensington campus. Both campuses are supported by the university library; the Richmond campus has benefited from the construction of a new library, classroom and office complex in 2000, providing new facilities for faculty and for students.[13]
Institutions that have degree-awarding powers in the UK are known as "recognized bodies". There are also "listed bodies" which do not have degree awarding powers but provide complete courses leading to recognized UK degrees, validated by institutions which have degree-awarding powers.[14] The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills has Richmond University as a "listed body".[15] The degrees granted at Richmond are validated by the Open University Validation Services.[16]
Richmond is accredited[17] by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools,[18] an institutional accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. Richmond is licensed to award Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, and the Master of Business Administration degrees by the Department of Education in the State of Delaware.[19][20] Richmond is also accredited in the United Kingdom by the Open University Validation Services[21] and holds related degree validation. Richmond's degrees are also designated by the Department for Children, Schools and Families of Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom (Recognized Awards).[22][23]
Richmond University is characterized by its international student body which generally includes students from more than 100 different countries, which usually totals to fewer than 2,000.[24] Some students studying at Richmond are part of the university's study abroad program (commonly known as STABs), which is associated with the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS).[25]
The multicultural diversity of the student body is very much a part of the school's mission, and it actively encourages students from all nations to enroll. This diversity is celebrated with an event occurring every year called "International Night", where the student body stages a performance highlighting the various cultures and ethnicities of the Richmond populace.[26]
Richmond students have the opportunity to complement their studies in London with a semester, year or summer at one of Richmond's two international study centers. The centers are in Florence and Rome, Italy. Although each center has a specific academic focus, they both offer intensive study of Italian language and culture and a curriculum that is integrated with the degree requirements in London.
The Florence Study Center specializes in the study of studio and fine arts. Each participant's first semester begins with an intensive three-week Italian language course at the Scuola di Lingua e Cultura Italiana per Stranieri in the historic town of Siena. This is followed by eleven weeks of study in Florence. With the exception of Italian language, most courses are taught in English.
The Rome Study Center offers a program that emphasizes the study of Italian language and culture, art history, economics and political science. The semester program begins with an intensive three-week Italian language and orientation course in Florence. This is followed by eleven weeks of study in Rome where the study of Italian continues as one course in the student’s program of four or five courses. With the exception of Italian language, most courses are taught in English.
Over 100 countries are represented in the student population, encouraging exposure to and participation in various culture's customs and activities. Religious holidays are respected by the institution as well as treasured American customs such as Thanksgiving.
Being located just outside of central London, student life at Richmond is quite different from life at any large American institution. Because of its location, it is easy and affordable to get into Central London where theatre, galleries, shops, restaurants, clubs, and many more are available for entertainment. The town of Richmond has various activities to offer as well. It is a fifteen minute scenic walk from the University to the centre, however it takes only five to get to a few small pubs and an area called The Terraces, which provide a spectacular view of Richmond Park and the traditional fireworks show held November 5 in celebration of Guy Fawkes Day. In the centre of Richmond there is a shopping centre with shops selling clothing, mobiles, books, food, eateries, banks, cinemas, etc. Thursday nights are bonding nights for the students; it is tradition to go to The Bull, a small pub/club that holds a "student night" once a week where ages 18+ are admitted. Friday, also a night of student (and sometimes faculty) bonding, is usually referred to as "Friday Night-Roebuck Night", named after the epic pub on the terrace, the Roebuck.
Class sizes tend to average between 10 to 15 students, with the lower-level classes tending to be much larger than the higher level ones.[27]
Top of the Hill is the once-a-month live music night held by Richmond University and run completely by students. The free night showcases both student and local bands, musicians, artists and DJs and is held at the local Vodka Revolution.