University of Roehampton

The University of Roehampton has its roots in four teacher training colleges of the nineteenth century. The Church of England founded Whitelands in 1841, Southlands was established by the Methodists in 1872, the Society of the Sacred Heart opened Digby Stuart in 1874, and Froebel College, which was secular, followed in 1892. In the 1970s the four colleges combined to form the Roehampton Institute of Higher Education. University status came in 2004, and the present name has been used since 2011. The colleges still provide the framework for student community life.

Describing itself as London's campus university, Roehampton occupies a single parkland site in south-west London overlooking Richmond Park, where Grade I listed buildings stand alongside modern facilities such as a library opened in 2017. Enrolment is around 12,000, with postgraduates making up roughly two-fifths. Recognised areas of strength include psychology, dance, education, biological anthropology and the health sciences. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, the university had 77 per cent of the research it submitted rated world-leading or internationally excellent.

Information for International Students

International students at Roehampton have access to visa and immigration guidance, a guide written for international students and an organised arrival programme. On a designated arrival day, international students moving into campus halls are given transport from Heathrow Airport, and those living off campus may join the same welcome activities. Most undergraduate degrees set a direct entry requirement of IELTS 6.0 overall and most taught master's courses 6.5 overall, in both cases with at least 5.5 in every component. Other tests are also accepted, among them the university's in-house Roehampton English Language Test.

A pre-sessional English course is available to applicants who have not reached these levels. Roehampton also delivers its own international pathways: an International Year One in Business, integrated foundation years, master's preparation and extended master's programmes, and a year-long International Foundation Pathway that leads to a Certificate of Higher Education. University accommodation is entirely on campus, and new students are guaranteed a room in halls on accepting their offer and applying before the deadline. International scholarships awarded on merit are available to undergraduates and postgraduates, and eligible graduates are able to apply for the Graduate Route.