Each year, the Faculty hosts a small number of Visiting Scholars, usually for a period of between one month and one year. This generally arises out of shared interests with one or more members of Faculty staff, or the need to access specific research resources held at Cambridge. The Visiting Scholars scheme is for established academics and those applying will almost always have completed a doctorate by the time they plan to arrive in Cambridge.
The Faculty also welcomes Visiting Research Students for periods of up to one year. Students will normally have completed at least one year of doctoral studies; the Faculty is not usually able to host students enrolled on Masters courses. Please note that we do not currently accept students through the Erasmus programme.
Before applying to become an academic visitor with the Faculty, you should read our information for academic visitors (links below).
Our Facilities
When to Visit
How to Apply
Fees and Payment
Immigration and Visa Requirements
Accommodation
For further information, contact the Faculty's Academic Visitor Coordinator.
Please note that the Faculty does not accept applications from prospective Visiting Scholars or Visiting Research Students who intend to spend less than one month in Cambridge, in such cases, a personal research visit might instead be undertaken. The Faculty would not be able to offer direct support or access to facilities (including electronic resources) for a personal research visit but you could apply for access to the University Library
Our Facilities
We welcome visiting scholars and students as members of the Faculty’s research community, and to our colloquia and other events; you will also be able to apply for access to facilities such as the Pendlebury and University libraries, and web-based resources to which the University subscribes.
It may be possible for visiting students to audit a small number of lectures or seminars, but this is at the discretion of the person teaching the course.
The Faculty scheme does not involve affiliation to any College, though such an affiliation may be possible in the case of visitors or students staying for a year. In addition, some colleges run visiting scholar/student schemes in their own right.
Please note that, as is also the case with visiting scholars, visiting students do not have any entitlement to teaching of any kind. There is a separate scheme that enables visitors to pursue two to three terms’ supervised research in Cambridge, in which case normal University tuition fees are applicable: for further details please refer to the Graduate Admissions website.
When to Visit
The academic year at Cambridge is divided into three terms. The Michaelmas term runs from October to early December. The Lent term runs from January to March. In the Michaelmas and Lent terms there are eight weeks of lectures, classes and seminars. The Easter term begins in April, but there are only four weeks with fewer lectures and classes. This is because examinations are held at the end of May and in early June. The exact dates of each term can be found on the University's website.
The University long vacation begins in mid-June and lasts until the beginning of October. Many people are away at this time and the Faculty provides no teaching or events. The libraries may also open for shorter hours and may close completely for short periods. We do not advise a visit to Cambridge in the spring or summer unless you are intending to stay a full year.
How to Apply
In order to apply under this scheme, you should in the first instance contact the member of the Faculty’s academic staff whose research interests most closely match your own in order to discuss your application. If they are willing to act as your ‘sponsor’ they will supply a paragraph in support of the application.
The Faculty’s Research Committee normally considers requests from visitors three times a year (February, May and October). Please ensure that completed documentation reaches the Faculty of Music Visitor Coordinator by the first day of the previous month.
A formal application will consist of the following documents:
Visiting Scholars
- a Visiting Scholars Application Form
- a summary curriculum vitae (of no more than 4 sides of A4)
- a .jpeg image of yourself
- a structured outline of your research interests (of one side of A4)
- a sample piece of work – up to 10,000 words (i.e. your most recent publication, journal article, book chapter, review etc.)
- a letter of introduction from your home institution which must confirm how your research here relates to your ongoing studies overseas
- two references
- a paragraph of support from your Faculty sponsor. In order to apply under this scheme, you should in the first instance contact the member of the Faculty’s academic staff whose research interests most closely match your own in order to discuss your application; please do not approach more than one staff member in the first instance. If the staff member is willing to act as your ‘sponsor’ they will supply a paragraph in support of your application.
Visiting Research Students
- a Visiting Student Application Form
- a scanned copy of an English Language Test certificate completed within the last 2 years*
- a summary curriculum vitae (of no more than 4 sides of A4) and
- a .jpeg image of yourself
- a structured outline of your research interests (of one side of A4)
- a sample piece of work- up to 10,000 words (i.e. a recent piece of course work relating to the work you intend to pursue in Cambridge)
- a letter of introduction on headed paper from your your supervisor or head of institution at your home institution which must confirm how your research here relates to your ongoing studies overseas
- two academic references
- a paragraph of support from your sponsor in the Cambridge Faculty of Music
* All Visiting Research Students must be proficient in the use of the English language, and are expected to meet the University's English language requirements regardless of the duration of your visit. If you are required to supply evidence of your English language ability, you can find details of the accepted tests here.
If you feel you should be exempt from providing an English language test at the point of application, you should write a short statement detailing why you should be granted an exception. This statement could include evidence of previous English language tests or qualifications conducted in English. You should include this statement in your application. You will be notified with the outcome of your application if the exemption has been granted or if you will be required to complete a recognised language test.
IMPORTANT: This form must be returned not less than two months before the date of intended arrival, OR more than 18 months before your planned arrival date in Cambridge.
Letter of Invitation
If the Faculty's Research Committee supports your application, you will be notified of the outcome by Letter of Invitation after the Research Committee meeting has taken place.
A letter of invitation is issued by the Chair of the Faculty to all Visiting Scholars and Students. The letter of invitation will be forwarded by email and by post, and a copy will be sent to the visitor’s sponsor within the Faculty as appropriate.
The letter of invitation is used by the Faculty as a record of:
- The dates and duration of the visitor’s stay in the Faculty.
- The fee that the visitor is expected to pay.
- The other facilities that the Faculty offers to visitors.
It is important that upon receipt of the letter of invitation visitors check these details to ensure that they are happy with them. Questions regarding any element of the invitation letter and the facilities available to visitors should be addressed prior to arrival in the Faculty. Confirmation that visitors are able to meet the cost of the fee stipulated in the letter of invitation is required.
It should be possible for visiting scholars/students from non EEA countries to apply for entry clearance as an Academic Visitor upon receipt of a letter of invitation from the Faculty of Music.
On no account should you arrive at the Faculty without having received confirmation from the Research Committee that your application is supported and having received a letter of invitation.
Fees and Payment
The purpose of the fee is to cover overheads incurred by the Faculty as a result of activities carried out by visitors during their stay and to help improve the facilities that we can offer.
Prospective visitors preparing applications to funding bodies are advised to include this fee in their application.
The Faculty’s current standard fees are listed below.
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Visiting Scholars |
Visiting Students |
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The first fee instalment must be paid one month in advance of your agreed start date.
How to Pay
The preferred method of payment is by card using the Faculty's online store. To make your payment please click on the appropriate link.
If you have any payment queiries or require further information pleease contact the Accounts Team.
Please note that payment may NOT be made in cash.
Immigration and Visa Requirements
IMPORTANT: Please note that it is the Visiting Academic's responsibility to deal with immigration, visas and family issues.
Visiting Scholars are required to make sure they have an appropriate visa to enter the country. The Department is not involved in this process.
If you require a visa to come to the UK you must first check the website of the UK Border Agency for information regarding your situation. It is advisable to make enquiries before any travel arrangements are made. Further information can be found on the HR website.
Visiting Research Students are required to make sure they have an appropriate visa before you can study at Cambridge. There are only two visa routes available to you, Tier 4 and Short-Term Study visa, these depend on the duration of your visit. For further advice on this matter please visit the University’s International Student Website
If you will be present at Cambridge as a visiting student for more than 6 months then you will require a Tier 4 visa. As your sponsor, the University will need to provide you with a CAS number (Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies number). This can be done via the Faculty of Music Visitor Coordinator and the sponsoring academic.
Accommodation
The Faculty is unable to make arrangements for accommodation during your stay at Cambridge. However, assistance in finding accommodation in Cambridge is available from the University Accommodation Service. You can register online at www.accommodation.cam.ac.uk
The office is open from 9.00 am to 4.45 pm and is located at:
Accommodation Service
Kellet Lodge
Tennis Court Road
Cambridge, CB2 1QJ
Tel: +44 (0)1223 338099
Email: accommodation.service@admin.cam.ac.uk
Web: www.accommodation.cam.ac.uk
Visiting Academics also have access to Newcomers and Visiting Scholars, which is run by the University. The society provides a termly programme of social activities for university scholars and their families.
