Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
Non-EU/EEA students coming to the UK for some Taught Masters programmes and research areas will require ATAS clearance BEFORE applying for a student visa.
The areas affected will generally be science and engineering and will be identified by JACs codes. If ATAS applies to you, the information you require (JACs code and description of programme) will be included in your offer letter. Your student visa application will be refused if you do not have ATAS clearance.
- ATAS applications will take at least twenty days.
- ATAS may also apply if you are changing the area of your research to one of those listed below.
- Students apply online.
- Apply for ATAS clearance as soon as possible if you need it.
- An ATAS certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of issue for the purpose of applying for a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa.
If ATAS applies to you, the JACS code for your course will be noted on your offer acceptance letter. The letter will also include either a paragraph describing your research or the module list that you will need to apply.
Research degrees - PhD, MRes, MPhil etc:
| Medicine |
Biological Sciences |
Veterinary Sciences, Agriculture |
Physical Sciences |
| B1 – Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology |
C1 – Biology. |
D3 – Animal Science |
F1 – Chemistry |
| B2 – Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy |
C2 – Botany |
D9 – Others in Veterinary Sciences, Agriculture and related subjects. |
F2 – Materials Science |
| B9 – Others in Subjects allied to Medicine |
C4 – Genetics |
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F3 – Physics |
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C5 – Microbiology |
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F5 – Astronomy |
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C7 – Molecular Biology, Biophysics and Biochemistry |
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F8 – Physical and Terrestrial Geographical and Environmental Sciences |
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C9 – Others in Biological Sciences |
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F9 – Others in Physical Sciences |
| Mathematical and Computer Sciences |
Engineering |
Technologies |
| G0 – Mathematical and Computer Sciences |
H1 – General Engineering |
I1 – Computer Science |
| G1 – Mathematics |
H2 – Civil Engineering |
I4 – Artificial Intelligence |
| G2 – Operational Research |
H3 – Mechanical Engineering |
I9 – Others in computer Sciences |
| G4 – Computer Science |
H4 – Aerospace Engineering |
J2 – Metallurgy |
| G7 – Artificial Intelligence |
H5 – Naval Architecture |
J4 – Polymers and Textiles |
| G9 – Others in Mathematical & Computing Sciences. |
H6 – Electronic and Electrical Engineering |
J5 – Materials Technology not otherwise specified |
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H7 – Production and Manufacturing Engineering |
J7 – Industrial Biotechnology |
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H8 – Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering |
J9 – Others in Technology |
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H9 – Others in Engineering. |
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Taught Masters (e.g. MSc, MEng etc):
| F2 – Materials Science |
F3 – Physics (including Nuclear Physics) |
H3 – Mechanical Engineering |
| H4 – Aerospace Engineering |
H8 - Chemical Process and Energy Engineering |
J5 – Materials Technology not otherwise specified |
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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