Visiting students

Most visiting students apply directly to the relevant University Faculty or Department, which will have its own internal application process.

If a Department or Faculty agrees to host you as a visiting student:

• Your study or research at Cambridge must form part of your overseas qualification, which must be at the same level as a UK degree (or higher).
• They will ask you to provide specific documentation, such as evidence of your English language proficiency or academic qualifications. 
• They will agree the duration and activity for your visit in advance. This determines the correct immigration route for your visit. It is not normally possible to extend your stay.
• You will need to confirm which immigration route is appropriate for your visit.  

If you are seeking College affiliation or a formal transcript at the end of your visit, or you are receiving a scholarship that requires formal registration for funding purposes, you will need to submit an application through the Postgraduate Admissions Office via their Applicant Portal after a Department has agreed to accept you in principle.

Certain courses at postgraduate level will require you to obtain Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). 

• The requirement for ATAS clearance is determined by the CAH3 code of the course. Your host Department or Faculty will verify whether you need clearance and provide you with instructions.
• Students are exempt if they hold an EEA nationality or are nationals of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA, Singapore, Japan, South Korea or Switzerland.
• An ATAS application has an advertised processing time of 30 working days.

If your visit will be completed within six months, the appropriate immigration category is the Visitor route. 

Our Visitor immigration permission page includes information on the requirements and restrictions of coming to the UK as a visitor, and whether you need to apply for a visa in advance.

When your visit is finalised, your host Faculty, Department or College will provide a visa letter to support your entry to the UK under the Visitor route. This is different to any acceptance letter you may have received in response to your original request.

If you require ATAS clearance, you will either need to include your ATAS certificate as a supporting document in your Visitor visa application or carry it in your hand-luggage in case it is requested on entry to the UK at immigration control.

A Student visa is required if your visit will be longer than than six months. It is not normally possible to be a visiting student at Cambridge for longer than one year.

• The University holds a Student Sponsor Licence which allows it to sponsor eligible students for a Student visa. 
• For the Student visa application, you will require a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies). 
• Your host Department or College will submit a request for a CAS to the University’s International Student Office after you have met any relevant conditions and provided all necessary documentation.
• If you require ATAS clearance, a CAS can only be issued after this has been granted. 
• Read our guidance on the Student visa application and studying on a Student visa.

If your time in Cambridge will be treated as a work placement (including an internship or Erasmus traineeship), a Student visa is not the correct immigration route for your visit. You will need to liaise with your host Faculty or Department to discuss what visa support may be available.