ATAS: Frequently asked questions

Which students are covered by the ATAS scheme?

The requirement for an ATAS certificate applies to all non-UK nationals irrespective of where you are living when you apply. Students of the following nationalities are exempted:

Australia; Austria; Belgium; Bulgaria; Canada; Croatia; Republic of Cyprus; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Iceland; Ireland; Italy; Japan; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malta; Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Singapore; Slovakia; Slovenia; South Korea; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; United States of America.

Do I need to apply for ATAS clearance?

If you are applying for a course that requires ATAS clearance, we will let you know by email. If you are applying for a Postgraduate Taught or Undergraduate course which requires ATAS, you will receive the email in May (or within 1 week of receiving your offer).

Only courses in certain sensitive subject areas require ATAS clearance. If you are an undergraduate student, you will only require ATAS clearance if your course leads to a Masters qualification, for example an MEng or MPhys, in certain subject areas.

You can also find out if you need ATAS clearance on the UK government webpages:

Find out if you need an ATAS certificate

I am applying to the University of Sheffield under the Departmental Exchange or Study Abroad scheme. Do I need to apply for ATAS clearance?

You may require ATAS clearance if you apply for and are accepted on certain Level 4 or Level 6 modules.

If you are required to apply for ATAS clearance we will tell you by email.

I am applying to more than one university. What should I do?

Each ATAS certificate is specific to a course and a university. You should submit an ATAS application for each course where ATAS applies. You can submit as many ATAS applications as you hold offers.

When should I apply for ATAS clearance?

You should apply for ATAS clearance when you receive module information from us, and at least six weeks before you intend to apply for your visa.

No, if your course requires ATAS clearance you will need your ATAS certificate to apply for your visa.

Will I be able to register for my course without ATAS clearance?

If your course requires ATAS clearance, UK immigration law does not allow universities to register International students until the student has received an ATAS certificate.

If you entered the UK on Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 5 or Dependant's visa you must still apply for ATAS clearance before you begin your studies. You will not be allowed to register until you have received an ATAS certificate.

Where do I find the CAH3 code and modules I should list in my ATAS application?

We will tell you the relevant CAH3 code for your course by email. We will also send you a link which includes all the modules you must include in your application.

For postgraduate applicants, the CAH3 code will also be on your offer letter.

Even though the application form only asks for elective modules you intend to study, you should list all the modules for your course. 

For undergraduate courses it is only the fourth year modules which are required. You should copy and paste all modules as they are shown in the link which we send to you.

For PhD applicants you should copy and paste your research summary from the ATAS Sheet attached to your offer letter.

You will need to provide details of two referees who have known you for a minimum of three years.

If you have studied at degree level, at least one of the referees should be from the university where you studied. If you have not previously studied at degree level, you should provide at least one referee from the institution where you completed your most recent studies.

If you have work experience, a referee from your employment would also be acceptable.

A referee from your home country is preferable but is not essential if you have studied and/or worked in another country.

Family members are not acceptable as referees.

You must provide details of who is going to fund your study in Sheffield. If you are funding your study yourself, please put your own name and address in the relevant boxes. If a family member is funding your study, put down their details.

Who do I list as my Supervisor?

It will take at least 20 working days (four complete weeks). Processing times will increase between the months of April and September, when it can take 30 or more working days (six weeks). When you submit your ATAS application you will be given an estimated decision date by which you should receive a decision on your ATAS application. There is no fast track service available.

If you have already submitted your ATAS application and have not yet received your certificate, please do not submit another ATAS application because this will delay the process.

If you have not received your ATAS certificate by your estimated decision date, please check your spam/junk folder to make sure that the email containing your certificate has not been filtered away from your inbox.

Unfortunately, the University has no control over your ATAS application and we will be unable to expedite it. If it is 1) more than 20 working days (four weeks) since you submitted your application and 2) after your estimated decision date, you should contact the ATAS team at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office at atas@fcdo.gov.uk.

If you have already submitted your ATAS application and have not yet received your certificate, please do not submit another ATAS application because this will delay the process.

If your course requires ATAS clearance, without an ATAS certificate you will not be granted a visa to study in the UK.

Applications for visas to study on other courses that do not require ATAS clearance will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If you think your application has been treated unfairly you can ask the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to review your case.

Your ATAS certificate is valid for six months from the date it was issued. This means that must submit your visa application no later than six months after the date of your ATAS certificate.

If you have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK, which does not have an end date, you do not need ATAS clearance to study.

Yes. Unless you hold indefinite leave to remain, you must apply for ATAS clearance. 

Send an email to study@sheffield.ac.uk including your applicant number/UCAS ID, ATAS reference number and new passport number, with a scan of your new passport attached. We will ask the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to issue a new ATAS certificate with your new passport number.