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Visiting Postgraduate Scholars

This scheme will be open from Monday 13 January 2025

Conducting a research visit at the University of Bath

Our excellent facilities and extensive expertise can often be of value to research students elsewhere and we welcome opportunities to foster and develop collaborative partnerships.

If you wish to visit the University of Bath as a Visiting Postgraduate Scholar (VPS), you should ensure that your visit will produce clear research benefits such as:

  • A research article
  • A project report
  • A future research grant application
  • Impact or Knowledge exchange
  • Product development

Your visit

During your visit you will have access to the resources you need to carry out your research. You will also have access to the Library, the Skills Centre and associated computing facilities. You will be responsible for covering your travel, accommodation, and living costs associated with your visit.

You are able to visit for up to 12 months.

If you are visiting for 6 months or less, you will not be charged tuition fees, and can select the dates of your visit.

Visits between 6 - 12 months can be considered, but:

  • You will be charged tuition fees on a pro-rata basis for the additional period over 6 months. The tuition fees will depend on your field of study and fee status. Information on postgraduate research tuition fees can be found on our website. You will be provided with the exact cost of your visit when your application once your application is assessed.
  • You will be required to start on specific dates throughout the year. You can select your start date from the following main admissions entry dates, which are set each academic year and which usually fall in:
    • Late September/Early October
    • January
    • Late March/Early April
    • Late June/Early July

How to apply

Eligible students will be able to apply for a place by invitation only, once they have found a University of Bath supervisor who has agreed to support their visit.

Eligibility criteria

To be considered for the VPS scheme, you must be formally registered for a research degree (MPhil, PhD or similar) at another recognised higher education institution, both at the point of application and for the duration of your intended visit.

Note: Separate schemes are available for Undergraduate students, students undertaking a Taught Masters degree (MA, MSc etc) and Research staff

Application Process

Applications are by invitation only.

You must first contact a potential supervisor here at the University of Bath to discuss the possibility of a visit and to seek their support to supervise you for a VPS visit. You can find a suitable supervisor on the research and staff pages for each department. You can also browse Pure, the University’s research portal, for profiles of individual academics as well as the research centres, institutes and units to which they belong. Once you have found a suitable supervisor at the University of Bath and have their agreement to supervise your visit and research project, ask them to contact the VPS team within the Doctoral College.

If you are invited to apply, your Bath supervisor will provide you with a link to complete the online VPS application. Applications must be received at least 3 months before the start of your visit. When completing the online application, you will need to provide:

  1. A letter of endorsement from a member of academic staff supervising your research at your home university (See below)
  2. A scan of your passport
  3. The title of the research project and a short research proposal (maximum 1 page)
  4. Evidence of English Language Competence if your visit will be longer than 6 months

The letter of endorsement must include:

  • The academics name
  • Confirmation that they are currently supervising your research
  • Confirmation that you are currently studying a PhD (or other level 8 qualification)
  • Title of the degree you are currently studying (for example, PhD in (subject name)
  • Confirmation that they are happy for you to spend time visiting the University of Bath
  • Confirmation that the research at Bath forms part of, or is relevant to, the programme studied at your home institution.

The University of Bath supervisor will also need to provide some supporting documents as part of the application process.

Once the application is complete, the Doctoral College will provide you with the information you need to start your visit. You may also need to apply for a Visa and ATAS approval before beginning your visit.

Enquiries

Queries should be directed to your potential supervisor here at the University of Bath