Institute of International Education ranks University of Richmond No. 3 for study abroad; No. 7 for international enrollment

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

This data considers 2013-14, the most recent academic year reported in an Open Doors survey. A total of 582 Richmond students studied abroad that academic year. 

Richmond also ranked eighth in terms of number of students studying abroad short-term, ninth for mid-length and eleventh for long-term.

“While our reward is the growth we see in Richmond students during and after study abroad, we are pleased to see their success reflected in these rankings,” said Martha Merritt, dean of International Education. “Meaningful experience in a different culture than your own is a hallmark of Richmond education, which is why more than 60 percent of our students take advantage of a wide range of opportunities abroad.

“Our emphasis is connecting Richmond classroom learning to the experiences abroad and then back to the classroom – making for a comprehensive, holistic experience for our students.”

The university also ranked No. 7 among the top 40 baccalaureate institutions for the total number of international students in 2014-15.

The total number of international students at Richmond has increased steadily over the last several years. From 2013-14 to 2014-15, it increased from approximately 397 to 418, with students coming from 72 countries.

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 2015 comes from China, followed by India, Pakistan, the UK and Spain. The most popular field of study for international students is business administration.

“Our international students are a key factor in making our campus distinctive and a very interesting place to be,” Merritt added. “When more than one-tenth of our students are from a country other than the United States, all find themselves in classrooms where learning and discussion incorporate exciting perspectives that are new to them.”

# # #