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Oxford University

Visiting academics and visiting researchers

The University welcomes research visits from international academics.

Oxford buildings

A visitor is an academic or researcher who is not a University employee, worker or consultant and generally comes from another academic institution, for a single specific visit to Oxford, typically lasting from at least one month to one year, during which time they are based and work in a hosting department and are permitted to use or access departmental and University facilities. Visitors do not have a contract of employment, worker agreement or consultancy contract with the University and therefore never receive a salary or other payment for services from the University.

Visitors bring significant benefits to the University and its colleagues. They contribute valuable skills, experience, and expertise, fostering knowledge exchange and strengthening research collaboration. At the same time, visitors benefit from engaging in the academic life of the University of Oxford and gaining access to departmental and University facilities for a defined period, enriching their own research and professional development. 

The University generally accepts two types of visiting researchers:

  • Visiting scholars (those who are research-active academic staff at other institutions)
  • Doctoral researchers visiting Oxford (who are registered as doctoral students at another institution)

Graduate students who are interested in spending time studying under the supervision of an Oxford academic can apply for Recognised Student status.

The Oxford University Welcome Service provides practical information on coming to Oxford from abroad.

Guidance for visitors

Visitors should make contact with the relevant department as soon as possible. Visitors are required to sign a formal visitor agreement before their visit begins, and to provide evidence of Right to Work/immigration status etc. Visitors should be aware if they are coming to Oxford from overseas that there can be a significant lead time (potentially of several months) in order to make the necessary arrangements. Visitors may need to apply for an appropriate visa (which may take some time), and may also need to check whether they need clearance via the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS).

Departments may also ask that:

  • an Oxford academic provides a letter of support for a visitor;
  • the visitor pays bench fees.

Each host department may have their own required visitor procedures and any potential visitor should contact the relevant department to learn more.