Information for visiting postgraduate research students

Use your University of Manchester user ID (shown at the top of your offer letter) to accept your place by logging in to track your application.

If you change your contact details before you begin your visiting period at The University of Manchester, please update your record through the self-service system.

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) applies to students studying certain subject areas. If the programme you are registered on for your visit to Manchester requires an ATAS certificate, this will be stated in your offer letter.

It is your responsibility to apply for an ATAS certificate from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) online (GOV.UK).

Processing times for ATAS applications can vary, but you should expect to wait at least four to six weeks to receive clearance. The ATAS website will provide an estimated decision date. However, during peak periods, processing may take longer.

You must obtain your ATAS certificate before your visit begins. We cannot issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), and you will not be able to register or start until we have received your ATAS certificate.

If you are funded by an official external sponsor (i.e. your home university or government), please make sure that you submit an official letter detailing your sponsorship if you haven't already done so. See more information for sponsored students (Student Support).

The Right to Study check is a two-part process for visiting international students.

You must ensure that you have the correct type of immigration permission (visa) with which to study all of your course. Failure to provide evidence of the correct type of immigration permission could result in you being withdrawn from your visiting placement. 

See further guidance and information on the Right to Study Check (Student Support).

Part 1: Applicant Right to Study Check - Admission Stage

Once you have accepted an unconditional offer (or when the offer becomes unconditional), you will be prompted to complete the 'Applicant Right to Study' check.

This involves uploading scans of your passport. If you already have a visa/immigration status in the UK that permits study (or another immigration permission), you'll provide evidence of that, possibly via a 'share code' from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

If this check shows you need a student visa (or another appropriate visa) to study, then the University issues a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) based on the information provided.

Part 2: Student Right to Study Check - Arrival in the UK

The second part of the Right to Study process is part of registration. If you need to obtain a student route visa or a visitor visa/Electronic Travel Authorisation to study with us, you will be invited to complete the second part of the Right to Study check by email before being eligible to complete registration.

You cannot complete Student Right to Study until you are in the UK, as we require evidence of your date of entry to the UK as part of the check. 

For example, you may need to show evidence of entry into the UK such as passport, boarding pass or provide your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) once collected. You will also be asked to provide your Share Code, or otherwise verify your immigration status.

Only when this second check is completed and your documents are approved will your student record be activated for registration.

See more information on completing the Student Right to Study Task (PDF, University of Manchester login required).

If you need a Student Route Visa to enter the UK for your visiting period, you will need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) statement. See further information on the Student Route Visa (Student Support).

To determine whether you require a CAS or not, you must complete the Right to Study Checklist. If you have not received a prompt about this, please contact the Admissions team within the Doctoral Academy, quoting your Student ID number.

Email: FBMH.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk 

For some nationalities, the visitor visa is being replaced by the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation). If you are a non-visa national who wishes to travel to the UK to study for 6 months or less, you must apply for an ETA before you travel to the UK. You can check if you are a non-visa national on the UKVI website.

After completing the Right to Study Check, the Doctoral Academy will issue visiting postgraduate researchers with a visa letter. You will need to keep this letter with your hand luggage when you enter the UK as evidence of the visit.

The University may be able to offer accommodation in either halls of residence or flats, but this is not guaranteed. You should apply directly to the Accommodation Office as soon as possible.

Alternatively, you may prefer to seek accommodation in the private sector. You can get advice on how to do this from Manchester Student Homes.

If you don't already know Manchester or The University of Manchester, you can see key locations in the campus map. The University's Visitor Centre will also guide you to useful information about this exciting place to study.  

If your visiting period in Manchester is going to be for a few months or more, you may wish to open a UK bank account while you reside in Manchester.

Some banks may allow you to open a bank account before you arrive in the UK, but others will want you to wait until you arrive in Manchester and your registration is complete, so it's important to check with them as to what their policy is.

See more information and guidance on setting up a bank account (Welcome to Manchester).

The University has provided some student health, wellbeing and safety information in preparation for the start of the new academic year. This includes information on how to register with a doctor (known as a general practitioner (GP) in the UK), and staying safe on campus and within Manchester.

Please bookmark this page and refer to it when you have any related concerns or queries: Health, wellbeing and safety (Welcome to Manchester).

Registration is an important process. It involves checking and updating your personal details, and paying your tuition fee. Your tuition fee will be pro-rata based on how long you will visit The University of Manchester for. It is important that you register before arriving in Manchester to begin your visiting period.

Find out more about becoming a student at Manchester (Welcome to Manchester).

If you are paying for your own fees, Step 10 of the registration process will guide you through the payment options.

You will be eligible to receive a student ID card once you have completed your registration in full (including the payment of your tuition fees) and arrived in Manchester. You will receive an email advising you to collect your student card from your Doctoral Academy in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.

You will need your student card to access buildings across the campus too, including the University libraries.

Before starting your visiting period with us, it is important that you make contact with your supervisor at The University of Manchester and meet them upon arrival on your first day here.

Your supervisor will be your main point of contact during the visiting period.

The University of Manchester Library is here to support your learning throughout your University experience.

See more information about what's on offer and how to get started (University of Manchester Library).

Postgraduate researchers visiting the University are encouraged to bring their own laptops to use for their visiting period.

We will provide you with online and physical access to the University Library to enhance your academic experience, as well as flexible workspace.

As a visiting postgraduate researcher at Manchester, you must complete specific mandatory training courses during your visiting period. This requirement applies university-wide, and will be monitored through eProg, an interactive tool designed for you and your supervisor.

eProg provides an online platform for recording and tracking the training courses throughout your visit. You will gain access to eProg at the beginning of your visiting period.

The mandatory training courses you are required to undertake are:

• Health and Safety on Campus
• Data Protection and Cyber Security

Detailed instructions on accessing eProg will be provided two weeks before your visit.

Here at Manchester, we define wellbeing as everything that makes you feel good both physically and mentally.

Life as a student can be busy, but by reflecting on your wellbeing, you can discover ways to build easy steps into your daily life to improve it.

See more information on taking care of your wellbeing (Student Support).