Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) offers a visiting scholar programme to visiting academic scholars including researchers, artists, and practitioners from academic and research institutions across the UK and internationally. Our programme is designed to foster collaborative research and offer access to a range of resources and expertise.
Programme overview
Scholars can apply to visit ECA for a minimum of one month to a maximum of 12 months to conduct independent research, which may be conducted collaboratively or through informal mentoring with an ECA academic staff member. Visits shorter than one month, or those who merely wish to use the library, should refer to the University of Edinburgh Library Access Guide.
What ECA offers under the visiting scholar programme
- Library access: use of library resources, including electronic resources.
- IT facilities: access to wi-fi and open-access IT facilities. (Note: email service is not included).
- Induction and orientation: provided by your academic sponsor upon arrival.
- Research activities: a research collaborator/mentor (i.e., your academic sponsor) as your main point of contact; access to research seminars and other research training or events. (Note: attending or auditing regular classes and teaching is not permitted).
Expectations for visiting scholars
- Compulsory training: completion of specific training sessions is mandatory. (Data protection, information security, as well as relevant health and safety related trainings.)
- Adherence to policies: scholars must follow all ECA and University of Edinburgh procedures, including those related to ethical research, copyright, and the appropriate use of ECA facilities including health and safety rules;
- Contribution: active contribution to the research culture at ECA and any specific research group or centre linked to the visit.
- Acknowledgement: proper acknowledgment of ECA in any publications resulting from the visit.
Fee structure
A monthly fee of £200 is applicable as a contribution to cover the administrative costs associated with the visit.
Successful applicants will receive acceptance confirmation once fees are paid in full, at least 14 days prior to their visit start date.
Fee exemptions or reductions apply to visitors from the Least Developed Countries* or Low-Income Countries*. Fees are reduced to half, for those from current Middle-Income countries* as classified by the OECD using World Bank data. *Current countries list is on the DAC list of ODA recipients.
If you or your home institution require an invoice for the fees payment, please, get in touch with ECA.HR@ed.ac.uk as soon as possible, as this process might take around two weeks.
Application process
- Open applications: we accept applications year-round.
- Academic sponsorship: secure agreement from a current ECA academic staff to act as your academic sponsor. Our people directory can help you find a suitable sponsor.
- Submission: complete the online application form including:
- an up-to-date CV with publication list, if applicable;
- a detailed research proposal for the visit
- a copy of the email from your academic sponsor confirming their willingness to act as your sponsor
Link to the online application form: https://forms.office.com/e/0VauPqfXDL
You can find an accessible version of the form here: https://forms.office.com/e/BuMDjduZJn
Applications are reviewed monthly by the relevant Head of Subject Area and ECA Director of Faculty. Please consider this time frame when applying, and submit at least two months before the proposed visit start date.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by the ECA HR Team.
Visa requirements
International scholars must ensure they meet all visa requirements.
If you need a visa to come to the UK for the visit, you can refer to the University Guidance for Visiting Scholars. You must be able to meet the UKVI criteria, if appropriate.
If your visiting scholar application is successful, the ECA HR Team will issue a confirmation letter which can be used to support your visa application.
Visiting scholars are not permitted to work on any University of Edinburgh/ECA projects. Certain pre-arranged engagement/activities within the first month of your visit could be paid however these activities must be agreed in advance with your academic host, and details included in your initial application. Please read the section on Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) in this guidance for full details.
Delays and cancellations
Please inform the ECA HR team and your academic sponsor at least two weeks in advance if you need to delay or cancel your visit.
- If your visit needs to be delayed, please notify us of your updated visit start and end dates.
- If your visit needs to be cancelled, a £100 to cover the administrative work of the application process. The remaining fees will be refunded through your original payment method.
Further assistance
If you have any questions about the application process, please get in touch with us at ECA.HR@ed.ac.uk or gives us a call on +44 (0)131 651 5800.