Hi all,

I am in need of an information that I can't find anywhere.
Probably the topic is too specific for this forum, too, but maybe you can give me some ideas or opinions.

I have a friend who has been appointed as a researcher (contract - scientific field) in a English university.

She is from a country outside the EEA and has been studying part of her PhD in that same university as a visiting student.
During her last visit to the UK, working as a PhD student researcher, she asked the international office whether she had to take an English test for being appointed as researcher, and therefore obtaining a Visa.

The university's international office answered that she would not need to present a language certificate or proof.
Now, she is in panic because she worries to be in need to apply for the Trier 2 (General) visa. In this Visa procedure it is reported to present proof of English proficiency.

So, I have the following questions for this forum:

1) what kind of visa are temporary international researcher usually asked to apply to?
2) is the language proficiency a requirement for temporary international researchers (contract) appointed by a university through a regular "call for applications"?
3) are usually universities able to provide documentation to assess or overcome the English language requirements (required for Trier 2 or others)?

To summarise:

1) she is an international professional;
2) appointed as temporary researcher for a project in quality of specialised professional;
3) she has never been enrolled in any English university, but only as a visiting student.

Kind regards,
Luca

If she is NOT a national of an English speaking country (listed here >> https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-general/knowledge-of-english), or if her undergrad, MSc or PhD was not obtained from the countries listed in the link I have provided, I am afraid there are no two ways about it. She NEEDS to sit for an English (IELTS) test. The English proficiency will NOT be waived on account of her having previously done some research towards her PhD in the UK. The advice from the international office was spot on; when you come as a short-term research visitor like she did initially, you don't need to have an English test certificate. I am also assuming that her PhD was not awarded by the British university where she spent some time as a research visitor. If I were her, I would straight away start preparing for an IELTS test. Results usually come out after 14 days. It's better to spend £150 on IELTS test than risk losing the exorbitant visa application fees.

Thank you for the clear reply.

>when you come as a short-term research visitor like she did initially, you don't need to have an English test certificate.

To be clear, she is coming t the UK again as a short-term researcher - this time, though, she is coming as a professional, not as a student exchange.
I don't really know if there is a difference.
I never understood the conditions to be considered a visiting scholar.
If you partake in a short-term University project of a foreign country, are you considered a visiting scholar by default?

If it helps (searching here and there on google) maybe we can consider that as a short-term research grant?
Maybe she can be called "junior scholar", but I repeat, I never understood the difference among student/scholar/professional researcher/professor, though I understand the difference between student and professor.