College of Social Sciences Graduate School

Visiting Postgraduate Researcher applications

Research area / Terms & Conditions 

Visiting Postgraduate Researcher (VPGR) applications are welcomed from PhD candidates registered at other Universities who wish to spend time studying at the University of Glasgow with an academic. The aim is to facilitate research interactions and create opportunities for collaboration between the University of Glasgow and the PhD candidates’ University (“the home university”). VPGRs will be appointed where there is a shared research interest and appropriate funding in place to support the VPGR. 

A clear reason must be given to justify the application for the VPGR and the research link with the University of Glasgow must be identified and may include details of joint research grants/contracts. 

The University of Glasgow supervisor must be a member of academic staff or an experienced researcher of equivalent standing to the supervisor at the home institution and should be recorded as the primary supervisor of the VPGR. 

The VPGR must be enrolled in a doctoral programme at their Home Institution and should have completed at least one year of full-time study (or the equivalent for part-time). Appointments of VPGRs are subject to visa restrictions if longer than 6 months in duration. The duration of the appointment should be considered in light of any applicable visa restrictions.  

Schools will be required to certify that: 

  • The appointment is appropriate; 
  • Suitable supervisor arrangements are in place in the University;  
  • The VPGR has been interviewed to confirm mutual research interests and benefits from the visit, and  
  • Adequate indication and safety training will be provided prior to the commencement of the visit. 

The home university will be liable for all costs, including tuition and charges incurred by the VPGR unless otherwise agreed in writing. Details of any such agreement must be attached to the application form for consideration at the approval stage. 

The VPGR must keep confidential any information that they become aware of while visiting the University that could be regarded as the intellectual property of another researcher, or that is contractually or commercially sensitive. 

Postgraduate Researchers, including those visiting the University from the UK and overseas, will be covered by the University’s Public Liability insurance policy in the event that the University is held to be legally liable for the actions of the Postgraduate Researcher (or VPGR) whilst they are acting on the business of the University. However, any additional insurance is the responsibility of the VPGR. 

Visit formats and fees 

All VPGR visits will be a minimum of 1 month duration and officially begin on one of the start dates listed below under ‘Deadlines’, even if you have arranged with your UofG supervisor and School to arrive slightly later. As such, the start dates and deadlines listed below will apply to all VPGR applications, no matter when you plan to arrive. 

The College of Social Sciences offers 4 formats of Visiting Postgraduate Researcher: 

Option 

Period of Visit 

Visit includes 

Fee 

A 

1 to 3 months 

A small number of informal meetings with relevant academic staff, no formal supervision 

£0 

B 

3 to 6 months 

A small number of informal meetings with relevant academic staff, no formal supervision 

£500 

C 

6 to 12 months 

A small number of informal meetings with relevant academic staff, no formal supervision 

£1,000 

D 

1 to 12 months 

Formal supervision with a named supervisor.  

Home PGR fees (pro-rated for the duration of the visit) 

Neither the College of Social Sciences, nor the Schools/Research Institutes within the College, can waive, or cover the fees above, which will remain the responsibility of the Home Institution, the Visiting PGR themselves or an alternative external source. 

Supervision 

‘Formal supervision’ would normally involve an academic member of staff reading your submitted work and giving written feedback. 

If this is not required, you will be considered to have ‘no formal supervision’. In this case, your University of Glasgow supervisor will act as a main point of contact, responsible for managing and overseeing the VPGR during their visit.  

Applications 

To apply, first please contact the member of academic staff within the College of Social Sciences you would like to work with, enclosing your CV (maximum two pages) and details of your research plans (one page summary). You can use the Staff research interests search to find supervisors who share your research interests. 

Agree the terms and duration of your visit with your proposed supervisor, and ensure this is also agreed with your home institution. This should include an agreement on formal and/or informal supervision provisions. Once agreed, you may submit an application. 

Please complete the Visiting Postgraduate Researcher application form (including all relevant approvals) and submit it to the Graduate School for consideration. 

Please ensure the form has been completed in full and signed by: 

  • Your proposed supervisor at the University of Glasgow 
  • The Head of School where the supervisor is located 
  • A representative of your home institution 

Details of how the visit will be paid for must be included in the application. The University accepts a number of different payment methods.

Deadlines 

All VPGR visits must officially commence on one of the start dates listed below, even if you have arranged with your UofG supervisor and School to arrive slightly later. 

To allow time for processing VPGR applications, fully completed applications must be received by the Graduate School Team at least 3 months prior to the visit start date, therefore following these dates/timelines: 

Visit Start Date 

Application Deadline* 

01 July 2026 

31 March 2026 

14 September 2026 

13 June 2026 

01 October 2026 

30 June 2026 

01 November 2026 

31 July 2026 

01 December 2026 

31 August 2026 

11 January 2027 

10 October 2026 

01 March 2027 

30 November 2026 

01 April 2027 

31 December 2026 

01 May 2027 

31 January 2027 

01 June 2027 

28 February 2027 

01 July 2027 

31 March 2027 

*if the application deadline falls on a weekend, public or University holiday, the application will be accepted on the next business day. 

Any application received after these deadlines by the Graduate School will be required to change their agreed start date before processing takes place. If any additional information or documents are required to allow for processing, this may delay a VPGR start date. 

More information 

  • The College of Social Sciences does not charge a bench fee for VPGRs. 
  • Students from outside the UK should be aware that applications for visiting periods of 6 months or longer will require a Student visa. If applicable, further information on visa monitoring responsibilities will be provided at the point of application. 
  • Applicants from non-English speaking countries who are visiting for periods of 6 months or longer are required to meet the minimum English Language proficiency level for the College and for UKVI Visa compliance.  This is generally an IELTS test (7.0 overall with no subtest less than 6.5). 
  • Applicants from non-English speaking countries must have a good working level of English, demonstrated through English Language Certificate, previous degree in English, or proficiency attested through interview.  
  • Accommodation Services can provide further information and advice regarding finding a place to live during your visit. 
  • The VPGR will be afforded appropriate access to existing facilities, including the UofG Library and access to shared desk space, where this is available within the School. 
  • Where possible, the VPGR will be integrated in the academic and social activities within the School and College.