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Visitors and Erasmus

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Visiting Students at the Faculty of Modern & Medieval Languages and Linguistics


Erasmus students

For students wishing to come to Cambridge as part of the Erasmus Exchange Programme, please visit the dedicated page on the International Student Office website.


Visiting students

A student visitor is defined as a student who is registered for a degree at another institution and who attends The University of Cambridge for a short period of study, supervised research or a placement as part of their course.

Overview

As a visiting student, you will be able to conduct research under the supervision of an appointed academic. You will be able to use the facilities in the MMLL Graduate Centre (desk space and computer facilities), the CALL (Computer-Assisted Language Learning) facility, the Faculty and University libraries, and join in the life of the relevant Section and the Faculty. It is often possible to attend certain lectures and seminars, although it should be noted that attendance would normally require the permission of the lecturer concerned.

Visiting students should plan to arrive at the beginning of an academic term of study.  For term dates, please see here.  If you are unable to start at the beginning of a term, the Faculty may be able to accept a request for a later start date, but please note that Supervisors/staff are normally only available in term time.  Faculty/University events, as well as any lectures and seminars are, of course, normally all held in term time.

Fee

  • £2,400 for a full academic year, or
  • £720 per term, or
  • £90 per week if visiting for less than a term

Term dates are available here.

To Apply

If you would like to apply for Visiting Student Status for a period of 12 months or less, you should complete an application form giving a short outline of the proposed research you wish to carry out in Cambridge and return the form to the Secretary of the relevant Section via email.  Please attach evidence of meeting the English Language Requirement, if required (see next section).

Your application will be considered by a potential supervisor and the Director of the relevant Section within the Faculty, and will then require further approval by the Faculty's Postgraduate Studies Committee.

You will not normally be permitted to study for more than one year without applying for a formal qualification via the central Postgraduate Admissions Office.

Language Requirements

Visiting Students are expected to meet the University's standard English language requirements for PhD study within the relevant Section.  Whether or not you have to take a language test will depend on a number of conditions, which can be checked here.  Please note that the the checking tool will confirm whether or not you need to take a language test; please disregard any other information on the central webpage as it is relevant to applicants applying as 'full' students).

Applicants should provide a copy of their English test along with their application form. Tests are only valid if taken within 2 years of the requested start date at Cambridge. 

Language waivers may, on occasion, be made at the discretion of the Director of Section. Normally waivers would only be considered for those coming to conduct their research in their native language, and particularly where the relevant supervisor is fluent in that same language.  Waivers are generally not given by the Section of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics. However, please note that language waivers are not permitted for any applicant who will be entering the UK on a student visa, due to immigration requirements.  

Immigration / visa requirements

All non-UK nationals will need to ensure they have the correct immigration permission for an approved visiting period at the University.

If your application for visiting student status is approved, the Postgraduate Office will contact you regarding immigration/visa requirements, if required. Or you can contact us directly beforehand on postgraduatestudies@mmll.cam.ac.uk if you have any questions.  In the meantime, please refer to the following webpages for information: 

College membership

College membership is not normally offered to Visiting Students, unless they apply via the central Postgraduate Admissions Portal, which means being liable for the University Composition fee that is equivalent to the PhD fee for the relevant Department/Section.

Accommodation

The Faculty is unable to provide accommodation. Colleges may provide accommodation or help in finding accommodation. Please note that at peak times e.g. October there may be a shortage of College accommodation. 

More information about finding accommodation in Cambridge can be found on the Accommodation Service webpages.

COVID information

  • All Visiting Students must have valid travel insurance in place.
  • The Faculty is not able to fund costs relating to isolation, quarantine or testing relating to COVID.
  • The Faculty cannot be held responsible for any travel delays relating to COVID.
  • The Faculty cannot guarantee that access to its buildings and facilities will be available to Visiting Students. Access arrangements may need to be changed at short notice.

These guidelines are subject to change in line with the UK Government's guidelines and/or University of Cambridge provisions.