Visiting Scholars

Every year we welcome a number of visiting scholars who wish to pursue their own research projects and join in the academic life at the School of Law for a minimum of one month, and a maximum of one year.

Visiting Scholars

The visiting scholars scheme is for established scholars (including academics, practitioners and judges) who wish to join the School of Law during a period of sabbatical leave from their usual place of work or home institution. Visiting scholars are provided with IT facilities, library access and, where possible, hot-desk or office space.

Fees for Visiting Scholars

These are non-stipendiary positions. Depending on the length of stay, a fee may be charged. From September 2022, Visiting Scholars may be charged:

• Up to one month - £400
• Up to three months (one semester)- £1,200
• Up to six months - £2,400
• Full year (12 months) - £4,800

Please note fees quoted are excluding VAT (VAT at the current UK rate of 20% is chargeable on all visiting scholar applications).

What you can expect as a visiting scholar

Applicants are asked to initially contact an academic to request they act as their academic mentor and point of contact during their time within the School of Law in advance of their application being processed. The mentor will usually be an academic in the same area of research. Depending on the length of a visit, a visiting scholar will typically meet their contact a few times during their stay.

As a visiting scholar to the School of Law, you will be welcome to attend staff and doctoral seminars or presentations, as well as other research events. These events may take place on either or both campuses – Mile End (Department of Law) and Lincoln’s Inn Fields (CCLS).

You will have access to the same range of facilities as standard members of staff including:

• School of Law resources and activities, including attendance at School of law programmes and research seminars
• Queen Mary library (Mile End)
• IALS library (Russell Square)
• IP Archive (IALS)
• Electronic resources
• Computer facilities, including wireless
• Hot-desk space (at Mile End or Lincoln's Inn Fields).

Visiting Scholars are not entitled to apply for funding for travel grants and conferences or funding of any kind.

How to apply

Please complete the Visiting Scholar application form [DOC 77KB] and send this to ccls-law-visiting@qmul.ac.uk.

Applications for visiting scholars are considered for approval three times per year. The year on year deadlines for applications are:

Please ensure you attach the following documentation with your application:

• CV
• Proof of English Language level if your home country/past qualifications are not from an institution teaching in English – you must meet the minimum of the following:
  • IELTS: 6.5 overall including 6.5 in Writing or 7.0 overall including 6.0 in Writing and no less than 4.0 in Reading, Listening and Speaking.
  • PTE Academic (UKVI): 62 overall including 62 in Writing or 68 overall including 57 in Writing and no less than 30 in Reading, Listening and Speaking
  • Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE): either Trinity ISE II with a minimum of Distinction in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking, or Trinity ISE III with a minimum of Pass in Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking.
• Passport or Travel Document (Photo page)
• Highest Qualification Certificate (Translated into English as required)
• Job description - must be detailed enough for a research SOC (Immigration) code to be assigned to it
• Letter from School / Department to sponsored researcher confirming the arrangement between you and the sponsoring body, detailing the period involved and the placement at the University
• Your confirmation of approval for a member of staff to act as your academic mentor/contact within the school of law at Queen Mary University of London.

Letter from third party employing organisation/funding body confirming:

• Project Name
• That your home institution will continue to employ you
• The date funding will start and end, amount of funds and allowances
• Names of individuals you will be collaborating with
• That you do not intend to stay in the UK beyond your visa

It can take on average six to eight weeks to process applications so you must ensure that your visit will not start until at least 4 months after the deadline. We advise everyone to apply at least 6 months before their scheduled visit.