This section provides information on the preparations that Visiting Scholars will need to make before their "arrival" in the Department.
Please also see the Visiting Scholar Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document at the bottom of this page
Whilst much of this is self-explanatory, this section highlights areas in which the Department can help visitors in their preparations, and those responsibilities that visitors MUST fulfil themselves before they start their visit.
Please note there are no individual offices available for Visiting Scholars. However, visitors do have access to shared workspace (including laptop docking stations) and use of the Common Room/Kitchen. If you wish to use these facilities during your visit, you will need to be issued with a University ID card and IT Access.
During your visit, we will be able to provide you with access to the University’s excellent online facilities, including both our LE Library, other important specialist collections in other faculties, and of course the huge University library itself. We will be pleased for you to participate in any seminars and other activities in the LE Department and across the wider University (virtually or face to face, depending on restrictions) that may be of interest to you while you are here.
The ‘Bench Fee’
The purpose of the ‘bench fee’ is to cover overheads incurred by the Department as a result of activities carried out by visitors during their stay and to help improve the facilities that we can offer. The Department’s standard ‘bench fees’ are listed below.
Academic Researcher:
£300 plus vat (totalling £360 per month) with shared office and Wi-Fi
or £250 plus vat (totalling £300 per month) without office space
PhD Student:
£250 per month with shared office space and Wi-Fi
or £200 per month without office space
All ‘bench fees’ entitle visitors to:
- access to communal computing facilities in the Department (Managed Cluster Service MCS)
- £50.00 print credit from the Department’s networked printers (when the department is open)
- access to the Land Economy Collection at the Seeley Historical Library
- access to other cognate and collage libraries including the University Library
- access to Departmental seminars and lectures
- access to seminars run by other University Departments
Not included in the ‘bench fee’ are:
- costs incurred on any other consumables
- accommodation costs, travel or other expenses incurred during activities run by the Department/University
Confirmation of fees
It is important that visitors make themselves fully aware of the costs involved in living in Cambridge and in doing so, that they ensure they have enough funds to cover the period of their stay. The Department requires confirmation prior to arrival, either in writing or by email, that visitors are able to meet the cost of the ‘bench fee’.
Payment
Ideally, visitors are requested to pay the bench fee in full and in advance of arrival. However, we understand that due to the nature of sponsorship and the way funds are released that it is not always possible for visitors to pay the full amount in one go. In these circumstances payments may be broken down into instalments in line with the programme of sponsored funds. Visitors who find it necessary to pay the bench fee in instalments should contact Laura Cave in Accounts for prior agreement at accounts@landecon.cam.ac.uk
Once arrangements for payment have been agreed visitors will be invoiced accordingly. In some instances it may be more appropriate for the Department to invoice a visitors funding body or institution directly, and visitors should inform the Department if this is the case.
However, where necessary it is possible to pay the fees by transfer. If payment is to be made by transfer visitors should ensure that all bank charges are covered and that the full bench fee is received by the Department. The appropriate account details for making a bank transfer will be provided upon request.
In all cases arrangements for payment of the bench fee should be finalised, as far as possible, prior to arrival in the Department.
Please note that payment may NOT be made in cash.
The preferred method of payment is by cheque. Cheques should be made payable to ‘University of Cambridge’
Post to: Mrs Laura Cave, Accounts, Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge, 19 Silver Street, Cambridge CB3 9EP, United Kingdom
Passports and UK Entry Visas
Overseas Visiting Scholars MUST be “a genuine visitor”, i.e. seeking entry to the UK for a “permitted purpose” and after which they will leave the UK.
UK.GOV has recently changed the eligibility requirements for their three visitor categories (Business, Academic and Permitted Paid Engagement) but only the “Business” and “Academic” categories relate to LE Visiting Scholars. However, we do recommend that where appropriate visitors contact their ‘local’ British Embassy as soon as possible after acceptance to the LE department to ensure that they have adequate time to complete any necessary pre-travel visa or work permit applications.
To visit Land Economy the type of visa you will need depends more on the length of your visit than the reason for it, as now both collaborative and independent research are permitted activities for visits up to 6 months and from 6-12 months.
For full Cambridge visa and immigration details visit our HR “Visiting the UK” webpages
FOR Visiting Scholars (both Academic Researchers and PhD students) wanting to visit LE for up to a maximum of 6 months only permission to enter the UK will be as a Standard Visitor (Business Category) whether granted before travel or where entry is sought and granted at the border and is valid for a maximum of 6 months only.
FOR Visiting Scholars (Academic Researchers only) wanting to visit LE from 6 months to a maximum of 12 months only permission to enter the UK will be as a Standard Visitor (Academic Category) AND everyone who wishes to apply under this category must have been granted a visa before they travel to the UK regardless of the length of their visit or nationality.
PLEASE NOTE: Current overseas students do not qualify as academic for the purpose of this visa category.
FOR PhD Students wanting to visit LE for 6-12 months permission to enter the UK will be as a Student Visitor – Postgraduate students MUST apply for a Student Visa to study in the UK for longer than 6 months.
To apply for a Student Visa from the UK Government, visiting students MUST first be issued with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) by the University's International Student Office (ISO). This process is managed by the LE Visiting Scholar Coordinator, and full details about the student visa and CAS application process can be found on the University's International Student Office webpage and the application form for a student visa can be found on the UK.GOV website
A note to all Visiting Scholars
It is important you read the necessary visa information carefully as the Department of Land Economy is NOT responsible for the application/issue of your visa or your arrival/departure to/from the UK.
Both before and during your visit to the University of Cambridge it is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct visa for entry to the UK and that you always comply strictly to the terms of that visa. The University reserves the right to terminate your visitor’s agreement as outlined immediately should it determine that you do not have the right to work (conduct research activities) in the University.
Further visa and immigration information can also be found on these websites:
University of Cambridge Visas and Immigration
UK Government Visas and Immigration
English Language Proficiency
There are specific University requirements for English language proficiency. Visiting Scholars (especially PhD Students) are expected to be able to communicate so they can integrate into the Land Economy Department at postgraduate research level and make effective use of their time here.
Academic Researchers are not required to provide copies of English Language proficiency (e.g. TOFEL/IELTS certification) unless you wish to do so. Alternatively, you should prove you have the necessary English Language proficiency to conduct your visit and research in the UK, when you seek support from your Land Economy supervisor at the initial application stage.
Occasionally, we might request a reference from your home institution supervisor/line manager to confirm your language ability is sufficient for you to successfully complete your visit.
PhD students visiting for six-months or longer (via the CAS student visa route) MUST provide English Language proficiency as part of their CAS application. Students visiting on a short-term visitor visa are not required to provide language proficiency.
You should have an overall IELTS score of 7.0 or above and achieve 7.0 in each of the four individual parts of the test: Listening, reading, writing and speaking. For TOEFL, an average score is around 90. It may vary from 85 to 95, and anything above 100 is considered a good score.
If you do not meet the minimum scores required, the ISO will refer you to the University’s Language Assessment Centre to sit an additional test. You must cover the charge for the assessment (£90) yourself, it’s not paid for by the Land Economy department. The Assessment Centre will then confirm to the ISO and LE Visiting Scholar Coordinator if you have passed the assessment or not. If not, they may recommend that you enrol on their ADTIS course during your visit.
Full details about the University’s Competence in English requirements can be found here:
https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/international/competence-english
Accommodation
The Department of Land Economy does NOT supply or take responsibility for finding accommodation for Visiting Scholars and where possible, we strongly urge that they make arrangements prior to arrival in the UK. The University has its own accommodation service who hold a list of available properties and who can give advice on current rents.
Visit: www.accommodation.cam.ac.uk
Other accommodation information can be found on the following websites:
- Cambridge Rooms in Colleges: http://www.universityrooms.com/en/city/cambridge/home
- Visit Cambridge: https://www.visitcambridge.org/place-categories/accommodation/
- Cambridge Evening News: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/property
The type and standard of accommodation available in Cambridge is varied and can be expensive so it's important that visitors take into consideration all the costs involved of living in the UK.
Please note that visiting scholars (both academics and students) are NOT exempt from UK Council Tax.
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