As a leading research higher education institution, the University actively welcomes and encourages visiting students from other British higher education institutions and from higher education institutions around the world.

Visiting students have the opportunity to take taught courses and/or conduct research at the University for a short period, for less than or up to one year. Credit gained and/or research conducted at Edinburgh will transfer back to the home institution and may count towards the student's final qualification.

How to Apply

All visiting research applicants must make a formal application to the Postgraduate Research Office. The following documents are required to support your application:

  • An official transcript of a postgraduate master's degree (please see below note about entry requirements)
  • Official statement confirming you are currently registered as a full-time student on a degree programme elsewhere
  • An academic reference from your current programme of study
  • A personal statement
  • A research proposal
  • Agreement from an academic at the University of Edinburgh Business School to be your supervisor when studying here
  • Appropriate English language skills or valid test (please see below note about English language requirements)
  • A completed application form (the form is available to download at the bottom of this page)

Entry requirements

All visiting research applicants are also required to meet our PhD programme entry requirements, including holding a masters degree from an accredited UK or overseas university with above average academic achievement, including:

  • A degree classification with a mark of 65% or more overall (or UK equivalent).
  • Normally a masters dissertation at the distinction level (or UK equivalent). Those with an MBA or masters students without a dissertation are welcome to apply but should provide evidence of distinction-level work within their degree.

English language requirements

In addition to the above, all visiting research applicants are required to meet our minimum English language entry requirements. We accept the following English language qualifications as evidence when they meet the minimum grades:

Your English language qualification must be no more than two years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency, in which case it can be no more than three and a half years old.

Ready to Apply?

Download application form

Once you have completed your application form, please email it to:
researchvisitors@business-school.ed.ac.uk