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		F3 – Physics
	C5 – Microbiology		F5 – Astronomy
	C7 – Molecular Biology, Biophysics and Biochemistry		F8 – Physical and Terrestrial Geographical and Environmental Sciences
	C9 – Others in Biological Sciences		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
	H7 – Production and Manufacturing Engineering	J7 – Industrial Biotechnology
	H8 – Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering	J9 – Others in Technology
	H9 – Others in Engineering.

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