New Undergraduate & Visiting Student Orientation Fall 2025

We are excited to welcome new undergraduate and visiting students this September for new student orientation at Chiswick Park. The week will include residential move in to our halls at Stay Club/North Acton, seminars related to life in London, an overview visa and immigration rules and support in accessing to University systems. There will also be ample opportunity for you to meet the faculty teaching your classes and chances for you to socialise with other new students on and off campus.

Here’s an overview of the week:

Day Sessions
Monday, 1 SeptemberAirport collection for residential students at Heathrow (9am – 5pm), please book your place!
Meet your residence life team and tour your new home
Tuesday, 2 SeptemberDocument checks–please bring your passport & board pass
Campus and library tours
Support in Accessing University Systems
Visiting Student Welcome
Wednesday, 3 SeptemberRepeating Sessions
Meet your Major Faculty Sessions
Faculty/Student Lunch
Registration sessions
Thursday, 4 SeptemberRepeating Sessions
Student Finance Session
Registration sessions
Friday, 5 September SGA Welcome
Registration sessions
Saturday, 6 SeptemberSocial Activities, please book at store.richmond.ac.uk
Sunday, 7 SeptemberSocial Activities, please book at store.richmond.ac.uk

Booking your place at Orientation

In order for us to manage crowds and offer you the best orientation experience possible, we will be organising orientation groups of about 20 people per group. You will attend sessions with your group which will have a unique time table. There are some sessions that are for specific groups of students (ie study abroad students, transfer students, students on visas, etc). These will be stand alone sessions offered for a portion of the population.

Your Pre-Orientation Checklist

Before you arrive, we are asking you to complete a few tasks that will make your arrival to London smoother. Please get started here:

  • Log in to outlook.office.com and access your University email
    You’ll need to change your password the first time you log in
  • Log in to blackboard.richmond.ac.uk to access our Virtual Learning Environment
    We have set up an orientation course where you will find lots of resources to prepare for living and studying in the UK
  • Log on to the student portal on Rio (our student information system)
    Upload a student ID photo
    Confirm your living address in the UK, your mobile phone number and your personal email
    Complete your health form
  • Join our WhatsApp communications chats and meet some new students studying in your area
  • If you are a residential students, book your airport collection
  • If you’re a student coming to the UK on a visitor visa, don’t forget to complete your ETA (electronic travel authorisation) before you travel. You do NOT need to do this if you are travelling on a student route visa

Questions?

We’re here to help!
Please contact us at [email protected] or contact us on WhatsApp