Liverpool Summer Research
Spend the summer researching at a prestigious Russell Group University in the UK!
Conduct research for 4, 8 or 12 weeks at an institution ranked among the top 1% of universities in the world.
Key information
Application information
Program details
Summer research students can apply to projects in subject areas across the university, where you will spend between 4 and 12 weeks assisting a Liverpool researcher in their work.
The research project is worth 15 UK credits and can be taken alone or combined with a regular course on Liverpool's summer program.
Check the project list here.
1 UCalgary course equivalent = 12 UK credits. You will be charged tuition for 1 course at UCalgary for this research placement, and receive credit for 1 course (possibly more, if combined with Liverpool's summer program or another exchange). How the research credit applies towards your degree must be negotiated with your UCalgary academic advisor.
These placements can run either 4, 8, or 12 weeks in the summer semester.
(Note: the 4 week program is not eligible for funding.)
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Costs
If admitted to the research program, you will be treated as an "exchange student", which means that your tuition and academic fees will be paid to the University of Calgary at your normal tuition rate. Other expenses (housing, etc.) are paid directly to the service provider.
Liverpool is a very cost-effective city to live in, especially for students. The University of Liverpool estimates the living costs between £900 to £1,350 per month. Click here for more info.
Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations, etc. in your budget planning.
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Funding
Students on the 12 week in-person program may be able to apply for Mitacs funding worth $6000. Please see the Mitacs page for more eligibility requirements and timelines.
Students on the 8 or 12 week program can apply for an International Research Grant worth $3000. The 4 week program does not meet the eligibility requirements, nor students who are already funded by Mitacs.
Also, since you remain a degree-seeking student at UCalgary while on this research program, you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are normally eligible to receive from the university, as well as student loans.
You will have access to Liverpool's student accommodation. The accommodation contract will be tailored based on the length of your research placement.
This program is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at the University of Calgary, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B).
The application is submitted online (see the Apply Now link at the top of this webpage).
In addition to the online application, you are also required to provide 1 academic reference letter. The reference must be written by a professor who has taught you at UCalgary. It should be emailed to study.abroad@ucalgary.ca directly from your professor (not from you). Most professors should already be familiar with writing references from past experience; you can also click here to view the general reference guidelines.
Note: Students first apply to UCalgary for approval. We will check your eligibility and then guide you on submitting a secondary application to Liverpool. Please be aware that there are not guaranteed spaces for UCalgary students on the Liverpool summer research program, and it is ultimately up to Liverpool whether or not you are accepted for research.
Liverpool has a number of support services for students including disability services.
They also have a great student life section to get introduced to the campus clubs, sports and activities!
The following resources give you a better idea of the Liverpool campus:
Liverpool: An Insider Guide (video)
Liverpool - Virtual Open Day (virtual map of campus including accommodation with small videos)
Have questions?
The advisor for the program is: Flavien Niederst
How to Apply
Download the application guide
This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.
Identify three programs of interest
We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.
Check requirements and deadlines
These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.