Richmond, The American International University in London

What Richmond, The American International University in London does

Richmond, The American International University in London is a private non-profit institution incorporated in Delaware, USA, and operating primarily from its Chiswick Park campus in west London. Founded in 1972, it is the only UK university structured around an American liberal arts curriculum, awarding graduates both UK and US accredited degrees simultaneously—a dual-accreditation model underpinned by QAA (UK), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (US), and AACSB (business) accreditations. The institution serves undergraduate, postgraduate, study-abroad, summer-school, and elite student-athlete students through a portfolio that spans BA/BSc, MA, MSc, and MBA programmes, plus the RIASA football, rugby, and cricket academies based at the Leeds campus.

The core technology and product platform is the dual-degree curriculum architecture itself, supported by modern facilities (Apple computer labs, media studios with green screens, interactive whiteboards), library resources, and online learning components. Curriculum delivery uses SPSS for statistical instruction; the proprietary feature is the integrated UK honours + US liberal arts credit framework. New product lines for 2027 include an MSc Artificial Intelligence and an MSc Applied Computer Science conversion programme, signaling an effort to extend the dual-degree proposition into high-demand STEM fields.

The business model is tuition-driven and subscription-recurring: annual fees for UK undergraduates (£9,250–£10,050) and international undergraduates (£17,500–£18,200), with postgraduate MA (£12,500–£18,500), MSc (£13,000–£19,000), and MBA (£15,600–£20,000) tiers, plus premium RIASA combined programmes up to £36,000. Ancillary revenue includes summer school (£1,500/3-week course), accommodation services, and one-time deposits processed via Flywire. Go-to-market is multi-channel: direct online application, UCAS (UK/EU), Common App (US), a global recruitment agent network operating under a BUILA/British Council quality pledge, NACAC college fairs across major US metros, and international education fairs across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The US market is serviced through a Boston admissions office, and US study-abroad partnerships with USC, SMU, and Tulane provide a structured inbound channel.

Name

Richmond, The American International University in London

Legal name

Richmond, The American International University in London, Inc.

Website

https://richmond.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Richmond is a private non-profit university in London founded in 1972, offering dual UK and US accredited degrees through an American liberal arts curriculum. It serves international undergraduate, postgraduate, study-abroad, and student-athlete cohorts via tuition-based subscription pricing and multi-channel global recruitment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

General Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts-Integrated Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAO), Interdisciplinary/Experimental Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAN)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Postgraduate degree programs
• Study abroad programs
• Summer school programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond Upon Thames

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate Tuition Fees: Full-time undergraduate tuition charged annually. UK students pay £9,250-£10,050 per year; international students pay £17,500-£18,200 per year. RIASA sports programme adds £15,000 per year for football athletes. Visiting and study abroad students pay per semester at £4,625-£8,950.
2. Postgraduate Tuition Fees: Full-time postgraduate programmes charged annually. MA programmes range £12,500-£18,500 (UK/International); MSc programmes range £13,000-£19,000; MBA is £15,600-£20,000. RIASA coaching option adds £11,000 per year. Part-time study charged per credit.
3. Summer School Programmes: Three-week summer school sessions at £1,500 per three-credit course. Includes optional internship programme for credit.
4. Accommodation Services: Managed accommodation options at Chiswick Park and The Stay Club North Acton. RIASA accommodation at Leeds estimated £7,500 per year. Summer school studio accommodation at £454 per week.
5. Application and Deposit Fees: RIASA confirmation deposit of £1,000; US student tuition deposit of £300; London housing deposit of £250. All processed through Flywire payment platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Richmond delivers higher education services in London through undergraduate (3-4 year BA/BSc Hons) and postgraduate (MA, MSc, MBA) degree programmes, awarding both UK and US accredited degrees simultaneously via an American-style Liberal Arts curriculum. Offerings are extended by an International Summer School, an Executive Training Programme, Study Abroad opportunities with international partners, and the RIASA combined academic-soccer programme at Leeds.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programmes 3-4 year BA/BSc (Hons) undergraduate degrees taught via an American-style Liberal Arts curriculum in London. Students graduate with both UK and US accredited degrees and may add a minor to their major, choose electives, and study abroad for a semester or year at international partner institutions. Open to UK, US and international applicants via direct application, UCAS, or Common App.
• Postgraduate Masters Programmes (MA, MSc, MBA) One-year full-time or two-year part-time Masters degrees (MA, MSc, MBA) across business, humanities and applied disciplines, with dual UK/US accreditation and an international/career-focused curriculum. Targeted at recent graduates and working professionals seeking career transformation or specialisation. Includes new 2027 launches in MSc Applied Computer Science (conversion) and MSc Artificial Intelligence.
• MSc Applied Computer Science (conversion) Conversion MSc for graduates from non-computing backgrounds seeking a structured route into computer science, covering programming, networks and security, human-computer interaction, and AI-enhanced web technologies. Aimed at career changers moving into computing roles.
• MSc Artificial Intelligence Postgraduate MSc providing immersive, hands-on AI training covering deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision and next-generation AI technologies, with optional credit-bearing internship. Targeted at graduates and professionals moving into AI roles.
• RIASA (Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy) Combined academic and elite football (soccer) performance programme at the Leeds campus, offering aspiring athletes aged 18+ the chance to pursue Richmond's dual-accredited undergraduate degree (and the MSc International Sports Management postgraduate degree) alongside integrated performance coaching, competitive playing pathways, and on-site accommodation at Weetwood Hall Estate. Extended to rugby and cricket via Sport Ed Ex partnership.
• Study Abroad Programmes Semester or full academic year study-abroad placements for Richmond undergraduates at international partner institutions, plus inbound visiting student programmes (Freshman Semester in London, USC Transfer Applicants, USC Spring Admits, SMU London International Semester, Tulane Spring Scholars). Visiting/study abroad students pay £4,625-£8,950 per semester.
• International Summer School Three-week and six-week summer school programmes combining academic courses (priced at £1,500 per three-credit course) with London cultural immersion and an optional credit-bearing internship programme. Open to university students and prospective students seeking short-term international academic experience.
• Executive Training Programmes Short, non-degree executive training programmes delivered via Richmond's external platform (aaet.org.uk) for working professionals seeking focused professional development.
• Student Accommodation Services Managed student accommodation options at Chiswick Park (London) for full-degree students, The Stay Club North Acton for summer school participants (£454 per week fully furnished studio with ensuite and kitchen), and Weetwood Hall Estate for RIASA athletes (estimated £7,500 per year). Payments processed via Flywire.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average 15 hours per week contact time with faculty

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• FlywirecoreTechnology or IntegrationTrusted payment partner enabling secure international payments from 240+ countries and territories in 140+ currencies. Flywire processes CAS deposits, tuition fees, accommodation payments, and other university charges including RIASA confirmation deposits, US student tuition deposits, and London housing deposits.
• Study Abroad Partner InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational study abroad partnerships enabling undergraduate students to study abroad for a semester or entire academic year. Partners span multiple continents including USA, China, Australia, New Zealand, Greece, Belgium, France, Argentina, South Korea, Spain, and additional countries worldwide.
• Council of International Schools (CIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member since 1972. CIS is the leading organizing body in International Education for accreditation and development of best practice in education standards. Most CIS member schools have sent students to Richmond, with many receiving scholarships.
• University of Southern California (USC)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUSC Transfer Applicants programme allowing students to transfer credits from USC to Richmond. Freshman Semester in London programme for USC students.
• Southern Methodist University (SMU)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSMU London International Semester programme enabling SMU students to study abroad at Richmond's London campus.
• Tulane UniversitymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTulane University Spring Scholars programme for students to study abroad at Richmond's London campus.
• The Stay Club North ActonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreferred student accommodation provider for Richmond summer school participants. Fully furnished single studio apartments with ensuites and kitchen facilities at £454 per week, located 25 minutes from Chiswick Park campus.
• BUILA and British Council Agent Quality FrameworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSigned pledge with British Universities' International Liaison Association (BUILA) and British Council committing to empowering student choice, ensuring good agent governance, promoting ethical practices, and increasing transparency and accountability.
• Sport Ed ExminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership combining performance coaching and playing pathways in Rugby and Cricket for aspiring athletes aged 18+ with opportunity to study Richmond's dual accredited undergraduate degree courses.
• RIASA (Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCombined teaching and sport programme for aspiring football (soccer) athletes (men and women) aged 18+ at Leeds campus. Integrated performance coaching with opportunity to study Richmond's dual accredited undergraduate degree courses. Includes accommodation at Weetwood Hall Estate.

Scale indicators4 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• American University of Paris: American University of Paris delivers an American-style liberal arts curriculum in Europe with US (Middle States) accreditation, mirroring Richmond's UK/US dual-degree model in a different European capital. It is the closest direct comparable on program architecture and target audience.
• American University of Rome: John Cabot University-adjacent competitor that offers US-accredited liberal arts degrees in Europe to international students. Its market positioning, accreditation profile, and student demographics closely parallel Richmond's international cohort.
• John Cabot University: US-accredited American liberal arts university in Rome, serving international students with US degree pathways in Europe. Most directly comparable to Richmond's niche of American-style liberal arts outside the US.
• Franklin University Switzerland: Small, US-accredited liberal arts university in Sorengo/Lugano combining Swiss/European location with American degree structure, directly comparable to Richmond's positioning of US-style education in a non-US setting.
• Regent's University London: Private international university in London offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs to a globally diverse student body. Same London market, similar private-international segment with overlapping recruitment channels.
• Hult International Business School: Global business school with a London campus focused on international students and US/global credentials. Comparable in targeting globally mobile students seeking internationally recognised business/management qualifications.

Broad incumbents

• University of the Arts London: Major London-based higher education institution offering arts and related programmes with substantial international student enrolment. A broader incumbent competing for the same international creative/arts students that Richmond targets.
• University of London (Goldsmiths, Royal Holloway, etc.): The University of London federation and its member colleges compete broadly for international students in London, including visitors and study-abroad cohorts that overlap with Richmond's target segments.

Others

• INTO University Partnerships: Global pathway provider partnering with UK universities to recruit and prepare international students. Adjacent to Richmond's international recruitment model and competing for the same agent-driven international student pool.
• Study Group (Study Group Global): International education provider operating pathway and direct-entry programmes at UK universities, serving as an ecosystem-level comparator in international student recruitment and support.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/richmonduni
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@RichmondUniLdn
• Facebookfacebook.com/richmonduniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/richmond-the-american-international-university-in-london-12629
• Instagraminstagram.com/richmondunildn
• TikToktiktok.com/@richmondunildn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Richmond, The American International University in London