How do I ask a professor at a different department whether I can attend his classes? There is a professor in Department X. I will be applying to Department Y &amp; Department Z for a MA that really fits my interests. Now, I am wondering whether the professor in Department X will also hold classes in Department Y &amp; Z, or whether these classes are shared and accessible over multiple departments anyways (how does this usually work in the UK? I don't really know). How do I ask him this question, how do I best phrase it? I am a bit unsure about this. Right now I have

I am currently thinking of applying for X at Uni X, and am wondering whether I could then attend your courses too?


but it sounds a bit strange to me? (English is not my native language)
Don't act yet.

There's no need to ask yet. You aren't enrolled at the university, so there's no need to ask. If you must ask, then ask an administrator, rather than the professor. (Professors are busy, they'd rather have fewer emails.) Assuming you're accepted, then you have several options.

Exception: You should ask if your decision to enrol depends on the answer. (See comments for further discussion.)

Just turn up.

You can sit at the back of the class and ask the professor afterwards, e.g., Hi, I sat-in on your course today and I really enjoyed it. I'm not formally registered, but I'd like to continue attending, is that okay? You can answer any follow-up questions in person. For large classes, this approach is fine. For smaller classes (or tutorials, lab sessions, etc.), you might want to ask in advance.

You needn't ask: Attending an occasional class on which you aren't registered is fine, but it is courteous to ask. (See also Allowing a student to sit in during class.)

Ask in advance.

You can attend the professor's office hours and ask something along the lines of, e.g., Hi, I'm studying ..., but I'd like to attend your class ..., is that okay? Again, you can answer any follow-up questions in person. The same question can be asked by email.

What's better?

It really depends on the professor. Personally, I'd favour a student just turning up to my class. It requires the minimal effort on my part.