Visiting PhD students

Eligibility

PhD students who wish to apply to the Visiting PhD Students Scheme should be current PhD students at another institution either in the UK or internationally. Applicants will need to demonstrate a strong academic record and a viable programme of research to be followed during their visit.

Applicants should identify a sponsor who is an academic member of staff at Bristol University Law School and will personally support their application. 

Applications will only be accepted from students who have the support of their prospective visit with the identified sponsor at the University of Bristol Law School.

If English is not your first language, you need to meet profile level 'B'. Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fee structure

A fee of £3000 is payable for visits of 12 months (pro rata fees apply for periods less than 12 months). A waiver of the fees may be applied for and will be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the objectives of the scheme (below) and the personal circumstances of each applicant. The school will prioritise fee waiver applications from students from Global South institutions and those with little access to institutional or other funding, and for whom the opportunities associated with visiting the University of Bristol would otherwise be unavailable.

Duration

Scholars may apply for visiting periods of between 4 weeks to 12 months.

Scheme objectives

The Visiting PhD Students scheme at Bristol Law School seeks to enhance the already vibrant research culture and learning environment of the school. With this in mind, the aims of the scheme are to: 

• offer external to the University PhD Candidates the opportunity to carry out research with a view to presenting or publishing their work.
• enhance the research community at Bristol Law School through their active participation in the academic life at Bristol.
• further develop and promote external research links with other universities, institutions and practitioners in the United Kingdom and overseas;
• provide the law school staff and research students with the opportunity to work with and learn from PhD students from outside Bristol.

Relationship with the law school

Depending on the length of their visit and the nature of their research, visitors are welcomed to contribute actively to academic life in the school. Depending on the applicant’s qualifications, the school may provide you with the opportunity to:

• deliver a presentation on your research to PGR students, including a networking element
• deliver a guest lecture to undergraduates/postgraduates in relevant module(s)
• attend the staff seminar series and Primary Units or Research Centre events

Provision of resources

Visiting PhD students will receive/be provided with:

• a University Card
• the sponsorship of a Bristol Law School staff member, who will meet with the visitor and provide guidance and advice when the visitor first arrives in Bristol. It should be noted that it is up to the individual visitor to arrange this initial meeting with their sponsor
• assigned a PGR student associate (buddy) to assist with cohort building
• full access to the Bristol University Library and all other University Library Services
• access to electronic holdings, databases and journals
• the visitor's email address will be added to the graduate mailing list, so that he or she is notified of any law school events that may be of interest or relevance

End of visit report

At the end of the visiting term, scholars are asked to submit a brief written report summarising their contribution to the school research committee. This report may be excerpted and published by the school.

How to apply

• A letter confirming that you are currently studying a PhD. This will need to be on official headed paper and signed or stamped by your university. If the original letter is not in English we will also need to see an official translation. The letter must include the expected end-date of your studies.
• Complete the Visiting PhD Students online application
• Reference from your primary or secondary PhD supervisor at your home institution. It is your responsibility to ensure that the reference letter from your supervisor is sent in before the designated deadline. The reference should be an official headed paper, signed, dated and include official contact details of your referee.
• Statement of support from the academic member of staff at University of Bristol who will sponsor your visit.
• CV (2 x A4 pages maximum length).
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates from first and subsequent degrees. We require scans of original documents and certified translations of documents issued in any language other than English. 
• Applicants will need to make clear the dates they wish to visit – the online application only allows for a September start date, but we can accommodate other dates.

Application review

Applications are reviewed by the Schools Postgraduate Research Director, School Manager, PGR Administrator and proposed academic sponsor.

You will be advised, in writing, of the outcome of your application within four weeks on submission. 

The University of Bristol Law School is only able to host up to 3 visiting PhD students at the same time.

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.