Visiting undergraduate and postgraduate taught students

Before you apply

Please note that we will require up to 4 weeks to process a complete application. Applicants are therefore advised to complete their application form as early as possible to ensure enough time to process the application, secure the relevant supervisory approvals and make the necessary pre-arrival arrangements.

Please note that you are responsible for all costs associated with your visit, including accommodation, subsistence, travel and leisure costs. We do not currently offer any bursaries or other financial support for visiting students.

If possible, we recommend that visiting research students bring a laptop computer with them.

How to apply

1. You must first secure the agreement of a member of academic staff to act as your supervisor for the duration of your visit. Find an academic whose research area matches your interests. You should contact them directly, using the contact details given. You should agree provisional date for your visit with them.
2. Once you have secured the agreement of a potential supervisor, and have agreed dates for your visit with them, please complete a Visiting and occasional student application form (Office document, 138kB) and return it to the Faculty Office fls-ugenquiries@bristol.ac.uk. You must include a current degree transcript, a letter of support from the home institution and, in the case of students whose first language is not English, evidence of English Language proficiency.

After you apply

Once your application has been processed you will be issued a formal offer of study letter which will confirm your supervisor(s), visiting student duration and fees liable. You will be asked to formally respond to this offer of study letter.

International students

Visa requirements

All visiting students from outside the UK require a visa, regardless of length of study. Some students will need to apply for this visa in advance, some can travel through eGates on arrival. For visits six months of less, please read the short-term visa guidance. For longer visits, a Student visa is likely to be needed, and you must meet the eligibility requirements for this.

If you are already in the UK on a Student visa (and you are visiting from another UK institution) you need to be studying at a partner institution or agree to the visit as an agreed temporary location. You should contact Student Visa Services for advice. Please also note that most visa types will require Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) approval, if the course needs ATAS. Some nationalities are exempt from the ATAS requirement.

Language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English are also required to demonstrate that they meet the English language requirements for the programme. The supervisor must have interviewed the student and confirmed that their level of English is acceptable.