Academic visitors

Academic visiting to our School

We recognise and appreciate the valuable contribution that Academic Visitors make to the work and life of the School and we welcome their visits.

We value academic visits highly; they help us to build a vibrant, internationally diverse and exciting research culture for our faculty and research community. Academic Visitors become part of our scholarly life within one of the School's academic areas, engaging with faculty and students and invited to research seminars and other events.

We always try to accommodate suitable applicants but reserve the right to restrict numbers due to limited working space. View our Academic Visitor Policy.

How to apply

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  1. Secure the support of a member of Faculty to act as a sponsor for your visit.

  2. Complete an application form and return it to the Affiliates and Governance Officer with the relevant supporting documents, as detailed in section E of the form.

Please note parts of the form must be completed by the sponsor and the relevant Academic Area Head. The sponsor will help you with this.

Applications must be made at least one full term or three full months in advance of the proposed start date of the visit. An application does not guarantee acceptance.

All applications are considered by the Academic Visits Panel, which meets once per term, usually towards the end of each term. You will be informed in writing of the result of your application.

Visa advice

If you are a British citizen, or a European Economic Area (EEA) citizen who has been working in the UK since before 31 December 2020, no visa is required.

All other applicants are required by law to hold a valid visa (unless they are already in the UK on a visa which permits the relevant work).

  • Most who require visas come with an Academic Visitor Visa.
  • ‘Visa nationals’ have to apply in advance for their visa.
  • ‘Non-visa nationals’ (all other countries) also need a visa but can apply as they enter the UK.
  • An Academic Visitor Visa specifically prohibits collaborative work undertaken in the UK. If collaborative work is to be undertaken, a Tier 5 visa will be required.

Read detailed information on Visitor Visas and Tier 5 Visas. You can also read a document which summarises the main points.

Please check which visa (if any) you need before submitting your application. We can provide guidance but you are responsible for obtaining the necessary visas and providing right to work documentation. Everyone must be able to prove the 'right to work' in the UK, regardless of whether work is paid or unpaid.

Academic Visitor FAQs

  • Who can make an Academic Visit? You should have a doctorate or an equivalent academic qualification, be an academic currently employed at another Higher Education Institute (or an equivalent research organisation), and be well qualified in your field of expertise. On occasion, the Academic Visitor scheme is extended to include executive visitors coming to engage in scholarly activities at the School. These visitors are known as Management Practice Visitors. You must secure the support of a member of Faculty to act as a sponsor for the visit before applying. Students are not usually eligible to make visits under the Academic Visitor scheme. If you are an undergraduate student, please see the university’s Visiting Students pages. If you are a graduate research student, please see the university’s Recognised Students pages.
  • How long is an academic visit? Minimum of one month and a maximum of one year (or a maximum of six months for those restricted to that period by the terms of their visa). Visits will not be extended unless there are exceptional circumstances.
  • What is the purpose of an academic visit? Usually personal research, informal discussions with other academics or attendance at a single seminar or conference. Collaborative work will also be permitted subject to visa restrictions.
  • What does it cost to make an academic visit? We charge an administration fee of either £250 per month or £600 per term (to include the ten week Oxford term) or £2,500 per year. This fee covers the use of the school’s resources and a hot-desking space as well as support from the Faculty Services team and the IT Helpdesk.

What can you expect?

  • A supportive accessible sponsor
  • To be met and shown around the school on your first day
  • A welcome pack providing information about the school and Oxford
  • Access to events and activities at the school
  • A building access card
  • A hot desking space, subject to availability
  • Use of the library computers and printing facilities in the school
  • The opportunity to apply for a Bodleian card (if this is supported by the sponsor) which gives full access to all physical and digital holdings of the Bodleian libraries and the opportunity to apply for an Oxford Saïd email account.
  • To be asked to provide a brief report on your visit at the end of your stay for the Research Dean

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