Skip to main content

Visiting Students

Visiting Students

We welcome self-funded undergraduate and Master’s students who would like to spend a period of research with our group. This page explains how visits work and what to expect.

Who can visit

Visiting research students attend the University to receive supervision and advice and to use research facilities. They receive no credit or qualification from Durham for the research they do. The normal maximum length of a visit is 12 months, and short visits of up to around two months (62 days) are the most straightforward to arrange.

Undergraduate visitors who plan research only, with no taught modules, are treated as Visiting Postgraduate Research (PGR) students. The University’s main visiting-student programme is designed for year-abroad schemes such as Erasmus, so it is usually not the right route for short research visits.

How to apply

  1. Contact us first. Get in touch with a member of the group whose work matches your interests, and agree a project and dates. Your host will act as your nominated staff contact in the department.
  2. Apply online. Submit an application through the University’s postgraduate application portal. The department will confirm that you have the background for the planned project, and the Admissions Office will then issue a formal offer letter, which you need to accept.
  3. Enrol on arrival. When you arrive, complete the University’s online enrolment. This makes you a properly registered member of the University for your stay.

Entry requirements

Visiting research students must meet the same entry requirements as regular PGR students, including qualifications and English language. Undergraduate applicants often fall short of the standard criteria, so concessions on qualification or language are likely to be needed. They are considered case by case and are not guaranteed.

The department is generally supportive of language concessions for students who do not need a student visa. A letter of support from your host is submitted with the concession request, and we will help you with this.

Fees, funding and visas

  • Fees: Visiting research students pay fees as set out in the University’s tuition fee schedule.
  • Funding: We cannot provide funding. Visitors cover their own travel, accommodation, living costs and fees. External schemes, such as DAAD RISE for German students or Erasmus+, may help.
  • Visas: Visitors from outside the UK need the appropriate visa for their nationality and length of stay. Some visits also require an ATAS certificate. Please check the requirements well in advance.

Workspace

Desk space in the department is limited and cannot be guaranteed for visitors. The research group will do its best to arrange a workspace with you.

Contact

Please email a potential host in the group with a short CV, a brief statement of your interests, and your preferred dates. We recommend contacting us at least 3 to 4 months before your intended start.