Visiting Scholars at Faculty of Economics

The Faculty of Economics welcomes a limited number of scholars and researchers who wish to visit the Faculty into its Visiting Scholars Program each year.

The Visiting Scholars program is aimed at scholars in established posts in other universities or similar academic institutions who are on study leave.

Visiting Scholars will normally come for a minimum of one term and a maximum of three terms. Our academic year comprises three terms: Michaelmas, Lent and Easter.

What do we offer?

Visiting Scholars are granted access to the University’s Library facilities, computing facilities and can attend lectures and seminars organised by the Faculty Board. We are not in a position to offer an office or telephone line, nor secretarial services or academic supervision.

 Visiting Scholars may use the Faculty's computing network for email, internet access and access to the various packages and databases for which the Faculty holds licences. Printing facilities are also available, but these must be paid for separately, apart from an initial allowance linked to the length of the visit.

The Common Room on the 4th floor of the Austin Robinson Building is open to staff and visitors for tea or coffee.  The Buttery on the ground floor of the building, serves refreshments and light meals. Visiting scholars are also entitled to membership of the University Centre.

What does it cost?

In addition to needing funds to cover living expenses (which do not directly involve the School), there will normally be a bench fee in the region of £600 per month, £2000 per term or £1500 over the summer (all figure are inclusive of VAT), in order to cover incidental and/or administrative expenses as determined by the Faculty Board of Economics. The bench fee is payable upon arrival and does not include the cost of obtaining the appropriate entry documents to the United Kingdom (see Entry to the UK and Work Permits below).

Accommodation

Assistance in finding accommodation in Cambridge is available from the University Accommodation Service. You can register online at www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/accommodation.

You would also have access to Newcomers and Visiting Scholars, which is run by the University. The society provides a termly programme of social activities for university scholars and their families. The office is open from 9.00 am to 4.45 pm and is located at:
           
Accommodation Service
Kellet Lodge
Tennis Court Road
Cambridge, CB2 1QJ

Tel:            +44 (0)1223 338099
Email:        newcomersandvisitingscholars@admin.ac.uk
Web:          www.accommodation.cam.ac.uk

How to apply?

Applications are considered throughout the year and should be addressed to Mrs Ann Widdop, Austin Robinson Building, Faculty of Economics, Sidgwick Avenue, CB3 9DD, Cambridge, U.K. (email: ann.widdop@econ.cam.ac.uk; phone: +00 44 (0)1223 335241).

Applications should include:

1. A completed application form (www.econ.cam.ac.uk/visitors/form_C1.rtf)
2. CV
3. Statement of Research Proposal
4. Two independent references.

Entry to the UK and Work Permits

The UK Government has changed conditions for entry clearance at ports and airports to enter the UK as a visiting scholar. 

If you are a non-EEA national you now require a UK work permit even as an academic visitor undertaking sponsored research.  Since only the Faculty, as the host institution, may apply for work permits, we would have to ask you to cover the cost of submitting the work permit application, which is currently £282  (£190 + £50 administration fees + VAT), which we require in advance and is non-refundable.  These charges would have to be covered even if the application were unsuccessful.  For the most recent information on visas and work permits you should go to the UK government website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk

Methods of Payment

The preferred method of payment is by sterling cheque drawn on a bank in the UK.
Virtually all banks will have a foreign correspondent in the UK.   We can accept cash. Sterling , Euros or US dollars. We do not have facilities to accept payment by credit or debit card

Anyone wishing to pay by bank transfer should notify us in advance so that we can provide details of the relevant bank account in Cambridge. Payment must be free of charges.

We can also accept cheques payable in euros and drawn on a bank in mainland Europe. However there is a bank clearance fee of 13 euros which must be added.

The University reserves the right to request payment in sterling during periods of significant exchange rate fluctuation.

English Language

All visiting scholars must be proficient in the use of the English language. If you have not previously studied in an English speaking university, the Faculty will require evidence of competence in the use of English.  Details of the IELTS Test, on which we require a score comparable to that required for admission to student status, are available from local British Council offices.

All inquiries should be addressed to:

Mrs Ann Widdop,
Austin Robinson Building
Faculty of Economics
Sidgwick Avenue
Cambridge CB3 9DD

Email: ann.widdop@econ.cam.ac.uk
Phone: +00 44 (0)1223 335241

March 2009