Visiting students

The School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) is delighted to welcome a small number of visiting PhD students.

We have two deadlines per year for visiting PhD student applications; details below.

Criteria

You need to be a current, full-time PhD student at another academic institution. You can apply to visit LLC for a period of between 12 weeks and 12 months.

You should have a specific research reason to be at the University of Edinburgh, either because of materials available in the University library, or because of a research link with a current member of University staff. Without clear research reasons, we will be unable to process an application. 

You also need to be able to demonstrate appropriate English language skills and, where appropriate, be able to meet the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) criteria.

How to apply

Step 1

Visiting PhD students need to have the agreement of a member of academic staff within the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) to act as their Academic Sponsor.

When you have identified your proposed Academic Sponsor, you should complete our Visiting Student Request Form, providing details of:

• your project plans, including what research you intend to undertake during your visit
• a breakdown of your stay
• proposed visit dates and Academic Sponsor

It is important that you discuss your intentions with your current supervisor, as we will require an email from them before we can start processing your proposed visit. This email from your current supervisor must contain a Support Statement, on university letterheaded paper, and confirm that you have discussed your visit with them and that they support your time away and the work you are proposing to undertake. 

Complete the LLC PhD Visiting Student Request Form (office.com)

Step 2

Once we have received your Visiting Student Request Form, and the email from your current supervisor containing their Support Statement, our Postgraduate Research Office will liaise with your proposed Academic Sponsor and their Head of Department, whose approval is required for us to proceed with your application.

If you are successful, you will be invited to complete a full application form, with a detailed month-by-month breakdown of what you plan to undertake during your stay.

Alongside your full application form, you will need to provide a letter or certificate from your current University as proof that you are registered there full-time on a degree programme.

You will also need to demonstrate appropriate English language skills or a valid test result; a degree from an English-speaking university may also be accepted in some circumstances.

Find out more about English language requirements  

Assessed applications will then be passed to the College Visiting Students Office for processing and formal offer.

Deadlines

You can submit your Visiting Student Request Form at any time.

If invited to complete a full application, we have two deadlines per year by which we must receive your final application and all associated documents. These deadlines are:

• 1 March - for visits beginning from June onwards
• 1 October - for visits beginning from the following January onwards

Please bear this in mind when starting your application, as it can take several months to process all steps of an application (including the formal offer) and we are unable to accept late applications.

Fees and visa requirements

The fee for the 2024 to 2025 academic year will be £955 for periods of 12 weeks up to and including 12 months.

Fees must be paid in full in advance of the agreed visit. Information regarding payment of the fee will be provided once the visit has been approved by the Visiting Student Office.

Please note that applicants must be able to meet the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) criteria, if appropriate.