Visiting Academic Staff

Page Updated: 9th April 2025

Visiting Academic appointees are individuals from other Universities/Third Level Institutions whose appointment to a School/Institute/College will enhance its teaching or research profile and contribute to the intellectual life of the University. In this section you can learn more about the levels at which appointments are made and the process for securing approval.

Policy summary

A Visiting Academic title is recognised as an honour bestowed upon an individual by the University. It is expected that the appointee will hold an academic post at the level of Lecturer/Assistant Professor, Research Fellow, Associate Professor, Senior Research Fellow, Professor or Full Professor in a comparable higher education institute and have equal or superior levels of expertise and experience to those of regular staff performing similar activities. They will assume a Visiting Academic title equivalent to that which they hold in their home institution (i.e. their primary employer).

There are four levels of appointment:

1. Visiting Full Professor
2. Visiting Professor
3. Visiting Associate Professor or Visiting Senior Research Fellow
4. Visiting Lecturer/Assistant Professor or Visiting Research Fellow

Appointees will be appointed for a maximum of five years. Normally there will be no remuneration attached to the appointment. Exceptions will require the approval of the University Management Team.

Learn more about Visiting Academic & Adjunct appointees in (opens in a new window)the Visiting Academic and Adjunct Staff Policy,

Process for appointment of Visiting Academic Appointees

Step 1: The Head of School/Director of Institute proposes nomination to the College Principal.  The following documents should be made available to the College Principal: 

• Appointment of Visiting Academic and Adjunct Staff Nomination/Renewal Form
• A copy of the nominee’s CV

Step 2: Nominations approved by the College Principal to be brought to College Executive for approval.

Step 3: Following approval from the College Principal & College Executive meeting, the College Office should email the following documentation to UCD HR, Promotions & Grading ((opens in a new window)Promotions@ucd.ie):

• The completed Visiting Academic/Adjunct Staff Nomination/Renewal Form
• A copy of the nominee's C.V.

Please note: Completed applications must be submitted prior to the first of the month in order to be scheduled for processing for that month. This is in line with Payroll deadlines.

Step 4: Promotions & Grading set up appointments on the system. 

Step 5: Promotions & Grading issue letter of appointment. This is usually issued by the end of the processing month. 

Step 6: List sent to Academic Council for noting (Spring - annually) by Promotions & Grading. 

Forms

• Visiting Academic and Adjunct Staff Set-up Form

For a list of Frequently Asked Questions relating to Visiting and other Non-Contractual Appointments, please see our Non-Contractual webpage.