Visiting postgraduate researchers

To be eligible for PGR miscellaneous study, applicants must be studying a research degree and must be registered at their home institution throughout their visit. PGR miscellaneous visitors receive no award from the University of Leeds. 

Types of visit

Miscellaneous Postgraduate Researchers come to the University of Leeds to conduct research that contributes towards their degree at their home institution. A School must provide an academic supervisor who can provide information about the intention and need of the PGR visitor.  

PGR visitors may come to the University of Leeds for a duration of 12 months or less. 

Fees

Visiting PGRs must pay for the use of university facilities, unless they are participating in a pre-existing formal exchange arrangement. 

There is a minimum standard annual fee for 12 months of study: 2024-25: £3485.

This can be broken down pro-rata as follows: 

The fees for 2023-24 can be found below (for visits commencing before 1 September 2024). This can be broken down pro-rata as follows: 

This minimum fee only covers University overheads. Schools do not derive any income from this. Schools may agree to pay on behalf of the visitor using an FA1 form.  

If the PGR visitor will have a significant consumption of academic resources, a school can choose to charge the normal full time international fee. The definition of “significant consumption of academic resource” depends on the individual school, but may include some or all of the following:  

• a supervisory and advisory load upon a member(s) of the academic staff which is similar to that provided for a research degree candidate 
• significant technical assistance and support 
• use of laboratory facilities and consumables 
• participation in advanced skills and generic training courses offered by the faculty, OD&PL or other University providers. 

In addition to the academic fee, the school may charge a ‘bench fee’. This is charged where there is evidence that the miscellaneous postgraduate researcher will use consumables, equipment and other resources. All consumables, equipment and other resources must be clearly identified in any correspondence with the student/sponsor and in information sent to Doctoral College Admissions. 

Applying

Applicants must apply on the University’s Online Application Portal at least eight weeks prior to the visit start date.  

As part of this process applicants will need to provide:  

• English Language evidence- meeting school/ programme entry requirements 
• Research proposal 
• Reference (x1) 
• CV 
• Evidence of current enrollment in a PhD programme, including confirmation of the end date of the programme.  
• Undergraduate certificate and transcript 
• Masters certificate and transcript (if gained) 
• Email confirmation from their proposed supervisor at the University of Leeds confirming that their work at Leeds will directly contribute to their degree at their home institution

All documents must be provided at the time of application. Visiting researcher offer cannot be conditional. 

Please contact the Faculty Admissions team for support if you have any questions.