Private university cites lack of funds as it pauses enrolment for new students
Richmond University has paused enrolment for new students, citing problems with securing funding.
On 8 January, Richmond, The American University in London confirmed it had decided to stop enrolling new students for degree programmes. The private university said that since its founder died in 2018 it had “not been able to secure a long-term funding alternative”.
A spokeswoman for the university said: “After careful consideration the board of trustees decided in December 2019 it had no alternative but to pause enrolling new degree-seeking students. The University is open for the Spring 2020 term for degree-seeking and visiting students, with classes starting on Monday, 13th January as usual, to deliver our unique academic offer and our award-winning student support.
“The University has always relied on the generous support of its founder, Sir Cyril Taylor, but since his passing in 2018 we have not been able to secure a long-term funding alternative. The University is actively seeking potential partners to find backing and support that will ensure long-term support for a remarkable institution.
“This critical work continues, and we aim to provide an update to the Richmond community, and other interested parties, as the situation develops in the coming weeks and months.”
The university offers degree programmes for undergraduate and postgraduate students accredited both in the UK and US. It is on the Office for Students register, although it has an ongoing condition of registration that relates to effective management and governance arrangements.
A spokesman for the OfS said: “The OfS is monitoring the situation. We were notified of a material change in circumstances since the provider’s registration and the OfS has continued to keep this under review. We are continuing to consider whether we need to act to protect the interests of students and will not hesitate to do so if that becomes necessary.”