Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

Students studying subjects where the knowledge gained may have application in the development or delivery of weapons of mass destruction may be required to apply for an ATAS certificate.

On

ATAS explained

ATAS is a certificate issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) giving you the security clearance to study subject areas where the knowledge gained may have application in the development or delivery of weapons of mass destruction (eg certain science subjects, mathematics, engineering, technology or medicine).

ATAS clearance is required:

  • As part of the Student visa application
  • To register on your course where you have limited leave to remain/immigration status (this applies to almost all visa categories)
  • If your course details change
  • If your course end date is being extended by more than three months (for example, because you have a study or time limit extension)
     

Eligibility

  • Whether your course requires ATAS depends on the CAH3 code that applies to your course.
  • Your University offer letter outlines whether your programme requires an ATAS certificate.

If your course does require ATAS clearance and if you have a UK visa or permission in a category that requires ATAS clearance (nearly all visa categories require ATAS clearance), you will need to get an ATAS clearance in order to study that course, or apply for a new ATAS clearance if your course details change during study. You don’t need ATAS if you’re from a country on the exempt list. 

How to apply

1. Complete the online form to apply for an ATAS certificate.

Apply for an ATAS certificate

The application has ten sections that should be completed in full.

 Visit the FCDO website for guidance, and use the ATAS application guide (PDF, 1.48MB) to help you complete the online application..

It is vital to check that you do not make any mistakes before you submit your ATAS application. The FCDO do not correct any errors after the ATAS certificate is issued, and a new application must be submitted instead. This means that submitting an application with mistakes could lead to delays in getting your certificate and you not being able to register on your course on time.

  • New students (Undergraduate and Postgraduate taught) - The Admissions team will inform you by email if you need ATAS clearance. This will be sent in May (or within 1 week of receiving your offer if you receive your offer after May) and will contain all the details you will need to include in your ATAS application. You should ensure you enter the CAH code and course information exactly as it appears on your offer letter/’ATAS sheet’ and the exact instructions you receive about where to find the correct module list. 
  • New students (Postgraduate research) - The Admissions team will inform you if you need ATAS clearance. An 'ATAS sheet' will be attached with your offer letter. You need to ensure to include the details on the 'ATAS sheet' in your ATAS application by copying the research statement exactly from the ATAS sheet to the 'what will you be studying?' section.
  • Continuing students - The ISSAC team will provide you with the relevant information if changes to your studies and/or visa application requires a new ATAS. 

2. When you are on the 'Check if you need an ATAS certificate' and the 'Apply for an ATAS certificate' screens, if you are a student, confirm that you are a 'Taught/Research Student' and not a 'Researcher'.

When you choose this, you will then be asked a further question and will need to choose whether you are a taught or research student.

3. During the application, you must complete the “proposed course of study” section.

  • MPhil/PhD students - use the paragraph describing your research that was provided on the ‘ATAS sheet’ with your University offer letter.
  • New Undergraduate/Postgraduate Taught students - use the information in the offer letter sent by the Admissions team. The information will be emailed to you in May (or within 1 week of receiving your offer if you receive your offer after May). DO NOT apply before you receive module information from the Admissions team. If you apply too early, your certificate may contain incorrect module information which could stop you from registering on your course. 
  • Continuing Undergraduate/Postgraduate Taught students - list the core and elective modules of your programme. The module information is available at the Programme Regulation Finder. 
  • All continuing students - It's important to make it clear of your status under the section 'Why do you want to study this?'. You should provide your actual course start date in the free text box and state that the application is being made to complete your studies.

Student visa application and ATAS

An ATAS certificate is valid for six months from the date of issue for the purpose of applying for a Student visa. If you apply for your Student visa more than six months after your ATAS certificate was issued, you must obtain a new ATAS certificate and include it with your visa application.

If you are a continuing postgraduate research student, you should receive an email reminder from ISSAC before your visa expires. You must use the course end date provided in the email when applying for your new ATAS and allow sufficient time for the ATAS certificate to be issued before submitting your visa extension application.

See also:

ATAS information for applicants

Frequently asked questions about ATAS

FCDO guidance on ATAS