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Visiting students

The UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources, in partnership with UCL-Energy, has a small number of places available each year for postgraduate visiting students.

Why join us

  • Belong to a community of internationally recognised academics, researchers and students working across 6 different research themes allowing for a truly interdisciplinary experience.
     
  • Study within an Institute with a portfolio of over £20M in current research grants and consultancy work.
     
  • Be part of a vibrant Doctoral Training Programme of over 40 PhD students and a growing portfolio of multidisciplinary postgraduate programmes.

We’ll provide you with access to:

  • a hot desk
  • the UCL main library
  • seminars and social events within UCL ISR and UCL-Energy
Postgraduate research visiting student - independent

Requirements

  • You must be registered on a PhD programme at an overseas university.
  • You can apply to spend 3–12 months at UCL, on a full-time basis only, undertaking complementary research to the Doctorate/PhD project at your home university. UCL do not make joint awards with other universities.
  • You should have a UK Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject, awarded with first-class or upper second-class (2:1) honours or an equivalent overseas qualification from a recognised higher education institute
  • Possession of a Master's degree is highly desirable, though not essential. In exceptional cases, candidates without a master's degree may be admitted provided they have other suitable research experience. Applicants with a lower second-class honours degree (2:2) must have a relevant Master's degree.
  • If your first language is not English, you must provide recent evidence that your spoken and written command of the English language is adequate for the programme according to UCL's English language requirements.
  • At the end of your stay at UCL ISR, you must generate a brief piece of work (e.g. a report) and present a seminar on your findings to staff and students.
  • We’re unable to provide assistance with visas and applicants must have access to sufficient funds to cover the cost of living. Central UCL can offer assistance with accommodation.

What can a postgraduate research visiting student expect?

To receive academic and pastoral support from a principal supervisor. They will provide oversight, guidance and support in your research in dialogue with your principal supervisor at your host institution.

Application process

To apply, you will need to:

Identify a potential supervisor by viewing the profiles of our supervisors or searching by theme.

Please note that only certain research staff are able to supervise PhD students and it may not always be possible for our supervisors to accept visiting student applications.

Prepare a brief proposal (1 page maximum), outlining:

  • the subject of your PhD research
  • the work you plan to undertake during your time at UCL ISR, including a work plan
  • how studying specifically at UCL ISR will enhance your research
  • how you will contribute to the UCL ISR community
  • the dates and duration of your proposed visit

Submit your proposal and a copy of your CV to the potential supervisor. Please also submit a letter of support from your PhD supervisor at your home institution.

Once you have a positive response regarding supervision, you should then complete an official visiting research student application form (hard copies only). This is in the prospective international students section and the programme code is RAFENRSING07.

Fees for 2016/17

  • UK/EU: full time, £4,770 and part time, £2,385
  • 30 September for students applying to start in January 31 March for students applying to start in September

Tuition fees are payable on a pro-rata basis depending on the length of visit.

For more information, see the tuition fee status procedure.

Deadlines

Applications should be received at least 3 months before your proposed start date at UCL.

If your application is incomplete, you should allow more time. If you’re applying to attend during term time, you should try to submit your application before the following deadlines:

  • 31 March for students applying to start in September 30
  • 30 September for students applying to start in January

 

Postgraduate taught visiting students

These placements are structured, short-term, supervised placements often focused around particular tasks or projects with defined timescales.

Placements will be no longer than 30 days and should be complementary to your studies at your home university.

Requirements

  • Applicants should meet UCL’s General Entry Requirements for postgraduate study – you must have a UK equivalent first degree in an appropriate subject.
  • Working level of English.
  • An appropriate visa for your stay. Students may study for up to 30 days on a general visa as long as it’s not the main reason for your visit – find out more. Student visas include the option to undertake research for up to 6 months – find out more.
  • Each application is judged on its own merits, taking into account a range of factors, including:
    - academic achievement at the home institution
    - any relevant pre-university qualifications
    - strength of academic references and personal statement
    - how closely the proposed research interests match the interests of the tutor

What can you expect?

  • You’ll benefit from enriched skills, achieving a contribution to a project and gaining insights and new perspectives from professionals.
  • Guidance and support from a placement tutor.
  • You will not be able to attend UCL-Energy/UCL ISR postgraduate modules.
  • You will not be required to pay UCL tuition fees.
  • There will be a limit of 3 students per year and 1 student per member of research staff.

Application process

To apply, you will need to:

Identify a potential supervisor by viewing the profiles of our supervisors or searching by theme.

Please note that only certain research staff are able to supervise PhD students and it may not always be possible for our supervisors to accept visiting student applications.

Prepare a brief proposal (1 page maximum), outlining:

  • the subject of your Masters programme and dissertation research (if applicable)
  • the area of research you’re interested in and how this links to the work of the proposed tutor
  • the dates and duration of your proposed visit

Submit your proposal and a copy of your CV to the potential tutor. Please also submit a letter of support/reference from your Masters programme Course Director at your home institution.

Case of support/programme of work

For tutors wishing to accept a visiting Masters student, please forward the proposal, CV and reference along with a 1-page case of support and programme of work to the Doctoral Training Programme Manager.