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Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

 

The Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies admits a small number of applicants who wish to undertake a period of full-time research in Cambridge as a student visitor but who do not intend to become candidates for any Cambridge qualification. A student visitor can come for a maximum of 2 academic terms. As a student visitor you will be entitled to:

  • A Cambridge University email address for the limited visiting period.
  • Limited access to University computing facilities.
  • Use of the Faculty Library and an introduction to the University Library to secure borrowing rights.
  • Attend lectures/workshops and seminars as agreed.

The Faculty assumes that student visitors come to Cambridge to pursue their independent research and therefore does not provide or arrange academic supervision; however, it may be possible to attend lectures, seminars or workshops with the consent of the respective teacher(s). Places will be awarded on a very competitive basis and preference will be given to applicants whose work falls within the research expertise of Faculty members.

Eligibility

In order to qualify as a Visiting Student, you must be currently registered as a student at a university, undertaking a programme of study. You must remain registered as a student at your home institution throughout your visit to Cambridge. You must be visiting the Faculty to undertake independent research, which forms part of your degree. The visit must not be any form of internship or professional experience. 

Fees

The full fee to be a student visitor is £2,200 per term/ £4,400 for two terms. A schedule for payment will be included in your invitation letter.

Fees must be paid through our online system

Funding

An invitation to become a student visitor is given on the understanding that the student visitor will be entirely self-funded (in accordance with Immigration policy). An invitation to become a student visitor also does not confer membership of any College, and the Faculty cannot provide accommodation.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that compliance with UK immigration/visa requirements is met. Please contact the International student team for advice on which visa you should apply for: internationalstudents@admin.cam.ac.uk

Applications

Please contact the faculty member you wish to work with prior to completing your application, as you will require a letter of support from them as part of the application. Due to the level of interest in being a student visitor it will not be possible to support all applications. Applications received without an academic letter of support will be considered incomplete and will not be processed or reviewed by the Faculty. 

Applications will only be processed three times per year (at the beginning of each term) and may take up to 10 weeks to process.

Applications received by 1 October 2024 - will be considered at the Department meeting on 8 October 2024 and the Faculty Board meeting on 15 October 2024.

Applications received by 14 January 2025 - will be considered at the Department meeting on 21 January 2025 and the Faculty Board meeting on 4 February 2025

Applications received by 22 April 2025 - will be considered at the Department meeting on 29 April 2025 and the Faculty Board meeting on 6 May 2025

You will be notified in writing as soon as possible thereafter as to whether your application has been successful.

Applicants should complete and return the application form* and include:

  • One written reference (briefly recommending your application and confirming your status at your home University).
  • A full C.V
  • Details of what funds will be used to support your stay in Cambridge
  • A letter from your academic sponsor within the Faculty showing their support for your reserch in Cambridge*. You will arrange to meet with them before submitting your application to discuss your reason for wanting to visit Cambridge and to discuss where your research interests harmonise.

*  Forms will not be considered if this hasn't happened.

Please send all documentation via email to:

enquiries@ames.cam.ac.uk

Prospective students from non-EU countries

UK immigration regulations are stringent. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that compliance with UK immigration/visa requirements is met. You must read all of the information relating to visiting students on the website of the University’s International Student Team. The University would be able to sponsor as a student visitor under Tier 4 if you are accepted to come to Cambridge for more than 6 months and you meet the relevant visa requirements.

Your application will be assessed by the relevant Department, and if approved you will be sent a letter of invitation. After that the Faculty will need to apply for a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for you, so will request specific details from you such as copies of passport, and details of the dates you intend to travel to and from Cambridge. Your academic sponsor in your home institution will also be asked to confirm some details. 

During your time in Cambridge you will need to meet the official contact requirements ie 10 contacts during your stay. You must ensure that any academic who has agreed to be responsible for you is willing to undertake these contacts and the proper recording of them.

Please also note that you must have adequate funding to support your accommodation and living expenses whilst in Cambridge. You will not receive any funding form the University whilst here.If you are applying for China Scholarship Council funding, you must indicate this in your application. You may have to pay additional fees and follow a seperate process if intending to visit Cambridge for 6 months or more. More details here