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Visiting postgraduate research students

Join the School of the Arts as a visiting postgraduate research student.

The School of the Arts welcomes researchers who are interested in pursuing work related to the areas of research associated with the five departments that comprise it (Architecture, Communication and Media, English, Music and Philosophy). Visiting researchers whose applications are successful are integrated into the life of the School of the Arts and are encouraged to participate in its numerous research activities and other events, lectures and seminars held at the School of the Arts and the University as a whole.

What we offer

As a Visiting Postgraduate Research Student you will have access to our dedicated PGR shared study spaces, a library card, and access to the university's online research resources. You will be integrated into the School’s activities as well as activities of the university at large. Members of staff in the 5 Departments of the School of the Arts have established significant expertise in a large number of areas of research and are eager to both support and learn from visiting researcher students. The School benefits from a number of partnerships with cultural organisations in the city of Liverpool and beyond, while boasting over 160 PhD students.

Unfortunately, we cannot offer accommodation but we are more than willing to help you find something suitable. Researchers can visit the School at any time in the year, but we strongly recommend that this is during semester time. The minimum stay under the research student scheme is 1 month and the maximum 12 months.

Our visiting postgraduate research students programme fee is set at two levels. The first level will relate to all researchers who request a programme without supervision. The second level will apply to students who are looking to participate on a programme which includes supervision.

  • Visiting Postgraduate Research Students Programme: Non-Supervisory - No charge for the first three months. Following this period, a fee of £100 per month will be charged at the commencement of the visit, up to a maximum visit of 6 months.
  • Visiting Postgraduate Research Students Programme: Supervisory – Programme fees charged will be at the standard Home or International fee, as applicable, calculated on a monthly basis for the period of study, charged at the commencement of the study period.

How to apply

In order to be formally registered as a visiting research student in the School of the Arts, you will need to provide the following documents to pgarts@liverpool.ac.uk:

  1. Completed application form (see top right of this page)
  2. Two academic references (in English)
  3. Confirmation of registration on current PhD Programme
  4. Certificate of English ability (see note below regarding English requirements)
  5. Letter of approval of the study visit from your current institution
  6. Personal statement detailing why the visit will be beneficial to the applicant
  7. MA or previous degree certificate (if not in English, please confirm the institution and degree programme & classification to us)

It would also be helpful if you could let us know if you have identified a member of staff who would act as your contact or supervisor in the Department.

You will need to decide if you wish to come as an unsupervised or supervised visiting research student, so please ensure you have ticked the correct option on the application form. Please see fee details above.

Please note that if you require a student visa for your research visit, you will need to meet the full English requirements for equivalent study at PhD level. If you do not require a student visa for the study visit, please provide your most recent English qualification.

As an unsupervised visiting research student, you will not be entitled to any formal supervisory input into your research or research-related outputs. However, you will have access to University resources and facilities, and may participate in any relevant events and activities. You will also be able to use the shared desk spaces for current research students.

If your application is successful, you will receive a formal offer letter and will then be able to formally register at the University of Liverpool for your research visit.

If you have any queries or require any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us in pgarts@liverpool.ac.uk