Center for the Art of East Asia

The CAEA encourages the sharing of specialized knowledge and the examination of different methodologies between scholars from abroad with faculty and students in related areas of study. Visiting scholars may be nominated by a University faculty member to be invited to conduct research in our libraries, often in collaboration with faculty. In the past visiting scholars  have contributed to the projects and publications of the Center and have been an important contact and resource for students and scholars for their research in Asia.

The procedure for selection is determined by the guidelines of the University of Chicago and depends upon the review of candidates by the Steering Committee of the Center for the Art of East Asia and final approval by the Department of Art History and the Division of the Arts & Humanities. A faculty member in residence will sponsor the Visiting Scholar during the period of the appointment. Visiting Scholars are not employees of the University and must provide their own funding for living and travel expenses, as well as the required health insurance. A letter of interest and CV with publications and proof of funding should be addressed to the Center for the Art of East Asia. These must be received by November 15th of the year prior to the beginning of the appointment. (The academic year is from September to June.) 

Center for the Art of East Asia

Department of Art History
University of Chicago
5540 South Greenwood Ave.
Chicago IL 60637

Center Administrator, caea@uchicago.edu

The CAEA accepts a limited number of non-degree visiting graduate students who are pursuing their Ph.D. degrees in areas of East Asian art history and visual culture.  The student's research should be related to the research interests of faculty and graduate students in the University of Chicago Department of Art History. The students must have full-time student status at their home institution. These applications require an invitation from the CAEA. 

Additional Information

Graduate students from other institutions may apply to spend time at the University of Chicago as Non-Degree Visiting Students (NDVS) to conduct research and work directly with our faculty and resources. The visit is research-focused: visiting students generally cannot enroll in or audit courses, though they may attend lectures informally.

For full details, see the Division of the Arts & Humanities Non-Degree Visiting Students page.

Who is eligible?

• Most visiting students are PhD students at other institutions who have reached candidacy (or the equivalent).
• Earlier-stage PhD students and Master's students may be considered if the visit is for research only.
• All applicants need a UChicago faculty member who agrees to serve as their supervisor during the visit.

Interested in taking courses? Students from École Normale Supérieure (Paris) and Hebrew University of Jerusalem may enroll in classes through exchange agreements; these students must first be nominated by their home institution. Students at certain U.S. institutions may also take classes through the Academic Exchange Program, which is arranged through the home institution.

How to apply

1. Find a faculty supervisor. Contact the UChicago faculty member you hope to work with and get their approval before you apply. If you need a letter of invitation (for example, for funding or visa purposes), your faculty supervisor can usually provide one.
2. Submit an online application at least 3 months before your intended start date. International students who need a visa should allow at least this much time. The application requires:
   • Basic personal information
   • A 1–2 page statement describing your research project (not required for exchange students)
   • A letter of recommendation from your dissertation supervisor discussing your project in detail (or, for exchange students, a nomination letter from your home institution)
   • A CV
3. Demonstrate English proficiency (see below), unless you qualify for a waiver.
4. Admission. Once your application is complete and your supervisor and department confirm their approval, you will be admitted and, if needed, the visa process will begin.

English proficiency

Unless you qualify for a waiver, you may meet the requirement with one of the following:

• TOEFL speaking score of 18+ (tests taken before January 21, 2026) or 3.5+ (tests taken on or after January 21, 2026)
• IELTS speaking score of 6+
• PTE speaking score of 50+
• A result of "Basic" or better on UChicago's Academic English Proficiency Assessment (AEPA) for speaking. To arrange the AEPA, start your application and email ahd-admissions@uchicago.edu. The assessment fee is currently $105.

Length of visit

Visits may last up to 4 academic quarters. Extensions of up to 4 more quarters may be requested with academic justification; international students would also need a visa extension, which takes time and is not guaranteed. Because tuition and fees cannot be prorated, we recommend planning your visit around the start and end of academic quarters.

Costs (2026–27)

Each quarter, visiting students are charged:

• Tuition: $1,565 (waived for some exchange agreements)
• Graduate Student Services Fee: $520 (cannot be waived)
• Student health insurance (U-SHIP), unless you show proof of comparable coverage and waive it

International students who need a visa from UChicago must also show funding of $9,500 per quarter for living expenses. Visiting students must use a J-1 visa.

Before and during your visit

• After admission, the Dean of Students Office will email you visa instructions (if needed), information on housing and insurance, and final steps such as paying tuition and getting your student ID.
• You will be registered automatically each quarter; no further action is needed.
• Library and campus access begins about a week before your first quarter and ends on the last day of your final quarter.
• Your faculty supervisor will be your main point of contact while you are here.
• If your visit is delayed or cancelled, contact Michael Beetley in the Dean of Students Office at mrbeetle@uchicago.edu as soon as possible.

For other questions, please contact caea@uchicago.edu