Accessibility statement

Information for Visiting Academics

The Centre for Medieval Studies welcomes Academic Visitors and PG Researchers from outside the UK who wish to pursue independent research at the University.

Applicants should either be currently employed in an academic or research position in their university or be registered/prospective PhD students at their university.

Please email us at cms-office@york.ac.uk in the first instance. Our professional services team will answer any queries about the process that are not covered in the information on this page. 

Please note that coming to York as an Academic Visitor or PG Researcher does not enable you to access either regular academic supervision or credit transfer and it will involve no remuneration. However it will offer you formal attachment to the Centre and access to research facilities such as the library. 

As part of their research visit, Academic Visitors and PG Researchers may have the opportunity to present and give a talk in one of the departmental seminars or events. 

Facilities

The following facilities are provided for Academic Visitors and PG Researchers to the Centre for Medieval Studies:

  • A University of York email address and use of the centre’s computing facilities.
  • Access to the University Library and the Borthwick Institute for Archives.
  • A place to work in a shared office space.
  • Access to printing and photocopying, providing the use of these facilities, is reasonable.
  • A letter from the Centre enabling you to obtain a UK bank account.
  • Introduction to relevant staff in the Centre with whom you have the option of collaboration during your stay in York. This includes access to the Centre’s staff contact list.
  • Invitations to the Centre’s research seminars and other research events.

Duration and timings

The length of the visit can be any period from one month to a year, providing you are able to obtain a visa to cover the length of your stay, where this is required.

Please note that the University summer vacation begins in late June and continues until late September. You are welcome to visit the Department during the summer vacation, but please be aware that many colleagues are away at this time and there are few events. The Library and Borthwick Institute for Archives do remain open during this time.

Fees

Bench fees are costs which Academic Visitors and PG Researchers are required to pay, in order to cover the costs that the University will incur in hosting them.

The bench fee for Academic Visitors is £3,000 per calendar year (12 months) or £250 per month. 

For Visiting PG Researchers the bench fee is £1500 for the year or £125 per month. 

When you have been accepted by the Centre, the University will send an invoice for the appropriate amount, which is to be paid in full prior to your arrival.

Visa procedures

The Centre cannot provide advice on visas, and all Academic Visitors and PG Researchers are responsible for obtaining their own visa. Academic Visitors and PG Researchers may be asked by the Centre to present their visa at the start of the visit.

For more information on visa applications, please visit the University's Immigration Advice Service website, but please note that this is written for students, not Academic Visitors, so may not all be relevant.

It is the responsibility of the Academic Visitors or PG Researcher to ensure they can cover any medical expenses while in the UK.

Accommodation arrangements

The Centre is unable to help with accommodation. Please contact the University's Accommodation Services.

Application procedure

You will first need to obtain the support of an academic host. Please contact an appropriate member of staff informally, in order to explain the purpose and duration of your proposed visit, as well as how it will complement and enhance Centre research activities.

When you have obtained this support, please submit the following documents to cms-office@york.ac.uk at least three months in advance of your proposed visit:

  •   A one-page letter of application, giving details of your research interests and indicating how it would be beneficial for you to spend time at the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of York. Please identify details of your academic host.
    ●    A short CV of no more than two pages, with full name, address, and information on where you are currently working.
    ●    A clear indication of how you intend to pay the bench fee, which is outlined in the fee section.
    ●    A letter of recommendation from your Head of Department or other senior academic who knows you and your work;

If you require academic support for your studies/research while in York, or the opportunity to study modules for credit, you would need to apply as a Visiting Student and be subject to visiting student tuition fees and enrolment.

How we consider applications

Please note that we receive many requests for Academic Visitors or PG Researcher status each year, and can only accept a few due to space and administrative time. 

Applications are considered on a first come, first serve basis, taking into consideration the following:
●    how they fit with the Centre’s research interests
●    the benefit to the Centre in terms of research engagement and potential for collaboration
●    the strength of application or research proposal.