Yale UCL Collaborative Student Exchange Programme
The Yale/UCL Collaborative Student Exchange Programme gives UCL Doctoral Researchers an opportunity to undertake a period of research at Yale as part of their doctorate.
About the Student Exchange Programme
Yale and UCL have a unique partnership called the Yale UCL Collaborative and, as part of this exciting initiative, the two universities launched an Exchange Scheme for doctoral students, giving UCL students the opportunity to undertake a period of research at Yale as part of their doctorate under the supervision of an identified Yale Supervisor.
This opportunity has been specifically designed to enable UCL doctoral students to experience working in a different academic setting at another world-leading research-intensive university and to gather skills that will enhance their current work as well as future personal and professional plans. As ambassadors for UCL, Exchange participants will be expected to make the most of their time at Yale by engaging as fully as possible with Yale’s research community. It is hoped that the experience will allow UCL’s doctoral students to forge future links between the two institutions and within their research areas.
Exchanges should be a minimum of 3 months (90 days) and longer periods may be considered if specifically agreed to by the student and proposed Supervisor. Doctoral students from any research area are eligible to apply for the Exchange.
If you would like to apply for the opportunity to visit Yale on an Exchange you should:
- Discuss the opportunity with your UCL Supervisor and identify a Yale Graduate School program and Faculty Advisor who is willing to supervise you for the period of the Exchange. The Yale Graduate School’s current program listing can be viewed here.
- Plan the dates of your visit carefully and ensure that you apply to be put forward for the Exchange at least three months in advance, and by the relevant deadline (see Deadlines below).
- Consider whether you/your funding body are able to fund your costs, or whether you will be applying for a Yale UCL Bursary in addition.
- Read the Yale-UCL Terms and Conditions before applying to understand the full guidelines
Deadlines
Rounds running in the 2026/27 academic year:
- Autumn deadline: Tuesday 22 September 2026, earliest exchange start date: January 2027
- Spring deadline: Tuesday 2 March 2027, earliest exchange start date: August 2027
Full Guidelines and Application
The terms and conditions and full guidelines can be viewed on the Yale-UCL Terms and Conditions webpage. Please ensure that you read these in full before applying for the exchange.
You will be asked to provide the following information in the application form:
- Personal details
- PhD programme details
- Yale exchange proposed dates and Yale proposed supervisor details
- Yale exchange proposal - a maximum of 500 words detailing:
- Rationale for the visit and how it will benefit your research
- Specific research question(s) and the aspects of your work you will be investigating
- How you plan to engage with Yale’s research community and how the exchange will benefit your career
- UCL Principal Supervisor’s endorsement. Word form to complete here: Supervisor Endorsement Form (also available to download from application form)
- UCL Head of Department’s (or appointed representative e.g. Department Graduate Tutor) Endorsement. Word form to complete here: HoD Endorsement Form (also available to download from application form)
- Proposed Yale Supervisor’s endorsement. There is no form to fill in, we just require a letter or email from your proposed Yale supervisor confirming that they agree to supervise you during your exchange visit.
- Details on funding the exchange and, if you are applying for a Doctoral School bursary, a breakdown of your estimated costs.
