Richmond American University London (RAUL) is a unique and independent institution, global in outlook and in practice, diverse and cosmopolitan in its cultures. A leading independent institution, the University is accredited in the United States by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and registered with the Office for Students in the UK, with Taught Degree Awarding Powers.

The University’s history is one of progression and development. Awarding both UK and US degrees to all students, RAUL brings together the best of British and American higher education and is the first university to have met the highest benchmarks of two of the world’s leading educational systems and therefore occupies a unique standing in global education.

RAUL was established in 1972 as a study abroad centre for American university students, and quickly developed into a full US University, granting degrees under US authority. In 1978, RAUL was officially incorporated as a not-for-profit educational institution in Washington D.C., moving in 1994 to the State of Delaware as a recognised 501(c) (3) public educational charity under US law, a status it maintains to this day.

From 1978 onwards, RAUL began to award US Associate of Arts (2-year) and Bachelors (4-year) degrees and went on to incorporate masters-level offerings into its curriculum.

In 1996, RAUL entered into a successful partnership agreement with The Open University to secure complementary validation for its US degrees in the UK, which led to further improvements of academic quality.

In May 2018, a significant milestone was achieved when RAUL was granted UK Taught Degree Awarding Powers (TDAP) by the Privy Council, with the first degrees issued on September 1 2018. This authorisation empowered the University to independently award UK degrees in addition to its US degree offerings. Additionally, in the same year, following changes in the UK legislative framework, the University registered with the new government regulator, the Office for Students (OfS) in the ‘approved’ category.

In March 2020, the University developed a strategic partnership with China Education Group (HK), the leading provider of private higher education in the People’s Republic of China.

A major strategic project for the University was the relocation of the London site to a new single site campus in Chiswick Park in 2022. The move to the new campus provided an opportunity to enhance the student experience with modern flexible classroom space and learning resources with up-to-date facilities and technology, and access to new internship and graduate employment opportunities.

In August 2023, Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy (RIASA) also moved to new academic and sports facilities in Weetwood Hall Estate, Leeds, to continue to deliver the BA (Hons) in International Sports Management with Men’s Football and BA (Hons) in International Sports Management Women’s Football.