University of Richmond earns high marks from Institute of International Education for study abroad and international enrollment

The Institute of International Education ranks the University of Richmond second among leading baccalaureate institutions for total number of students who study abroad. Richmond ranked third last year.

More than 60 percent of undergraduate students study abroad, with a total of 577 Richmond students studying abroad in the 2014-15 academic year.

“It is delightful to build from such a strong institutional foundation and see so many of our students engaging with the world through a wide range of study abroad opportunities,” said Martha Merritt, dean of International Education. “UR's cross-school commitment to internationalism is a hallmark of a Richmond education and distinguishes us across the board.”

The university also ranked No. 5 among the top 40 baccalaureate institutions for the total number of international students in 2015-16, up from No. 7 last year. During that time, 430 students from more than 70 countries attended classes at UR.

International students, including full-degree and exchange students, currently comprise 12 percent of the undergraduate student population at Richmond. The largest number of international students at Richmond in fall 2016 comes from China, followed by India, Spain and South Korea. The most popular field of study for international students is business administration.

“Our international students are a key factor in adding to the diversity on campus and extending the range of understanding for a liberal arts education,” Merritt said. “Our students, faculty and staff come from and are exposed to different cultures and languages, immersing us all in a rich learning environment.”

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