Visiting scholars and students

The Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies welcomes applications from Visiting Scholars and Visiting Students.

Visitors come to Cambridge to pursue their independent research, whilst immersing themselves in the richness of our intellectual community and accessing our excellent resources and collections.  

Visiting Scholars

As a Visiting Scholar you will be entitled to: 

  • a Cambridge University email address for the duration of your visit
  • limited access to certain University computing facilities
  • use of the Faculty Library
  • an introduction to the University Library to secure borrowing rights
  • attend lectures and seminar series

The Faculty is unable to assist with accommodation. For this and other help in settling into life at Cambridge, we recommend that you contact the Newcomers and Visiting Scholars Office. 

Visiting Scholar applications 

In order to apply, you need to: 

An invitation to become a Visiting Scholar is given on the understanding that the Visitor will be entirely self-funded. An invitation to become a Visiting Scholar does not confer any College membership. 

Visiting Scholar fees

Fees for 2025-2026

The fee for Visiting Scholars is £2,000 plus VAT (total £2,400) for a period of up to 6 months, and £3,000 plus VAT (total £3,600) for 6 to 12 months. 

All fees for successful applications must be paid in advance. Visiting Scholar fees must be paid through our online system. A schedule for payment will be included in your letter. 

If there is a sponsoring body paying your fee, please ensure they either pay online or provide details of who to invoice if your application is approved.  

Visiting Students 

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 Visiting Student 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
  • an introduction to the University Library to secure borrowing rights
  • attend lectures and seminar series
  • attend classes as agreed with the instructors 

Visiting Student applications 

In order to apply, you need to: 

Visiting Student fees 

Fees for 2025-2026

The fee for a student visitor is £2,200 per term or £4,400 for 2 terms. 

Visiting Students wishing to come to the Faculty for a period of one month or less will be charged at a rate of £100.00 per week up to a period of 4 weeks. 

All fees for successful applications must be paid in advance. Visiting Student fees must be paid through our online system. A schedule for payment will be included in your invitation letter. 

If there is a sponsoring body paying your fee, please ensure they either pay online or provide details of who to invoice if your application is approved. 

Immigration and visa requirements 

UK immigration regulations are stringent. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure full compliance at all times with the UK government's immigration and visa requirements.

If you’re applying to be a Visiting Scholar, check your status with the guidelines on the UK Home Office website.

If you’re applying to be a student visitor, you must read all of the information relating to visiting students on the the University’s International Student Team's website. If you are accepted to come to Cambridge for more than 6 months and you meet the relevant visa requirements, the University would be able to sponsor you as a student visitor under Tier 4.

Timescale

We recommend that applications are submitted at least 6 months before the start of the proposed visit to allow time for the necessary administrative and visa processes. Applications submitted outside the recommended 6-month period will be considered on an individual basis.

Applications will be considered by the relevant Department and require the approval of the Faculty Board. Meetings take place once per term.

Current deadlines for applications to be approved

Applications received by 9 January 2026 will be considered at the Faculty Board meeting on 17 February 2026. Applications received by 9 February will be considered at the Faculty Board meeting on 17 March 2026. Applications received by 9 April will be considered at the Faculty Board meeting on 19 May 2026. You will be notified in writing as soon as possible thereafter as to whether your application has been successful.

Applications might be considered on a case-by-case basis outside this timeframe.