Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

What is ATAS

Getting the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) (GOV.UK) certificate gives you the approval to study or conduct research in specific sensitive technology-related fields in the UK at postgraduate level.

Who needs an ATAS certificate

You will need an ATAS certificate (GOV.UK) if you are or will be:

• studying or conducting research in sensitive technology-related fields in the UK
  and
• a postgraduate student (taught and research)

This includes if you:

• have a visiting student on a visit visa
• are coming to the UK on a non-Student visa
• have a non-Student visa that allows you to study in the UK

You must leave enough time to apply for ATAS clearance and then your visa.

Who does not need an ATAS certificate

Certain nationalities do not need the ATAS certificate (GOV.UK).

Check if you need an ATAS certificate (GOV.UK)

When you should apply for ATAS certificate

New student

You need to apply for an ATAS certificate before or when your school or faculty make you an offer.

You will need your ATAS certificate before we can issue your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). You will not be allowed to register at the University without showing a valid ATAS certificate.

Current student

You will need to apply for a new ATAS certificate if you want to:

• study at another university or institution
• change your course
• change your area of research 
  or
• extend your course end date by  3 months or longer 

You must apply within 28 days if:

• your course end date is extended by 3 months or longer
• your main supervisor has changed
• your financial sponsor or conditions for financial sponsorship have changed

If you are unsure if your visa requires you to obtain an ATAS clearance certificate, contact our Student Visa team.

How to apply for ATAS certificate

1. After you receive a conditional or unconditional offer, read the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s guidance on:
   1. What you need to apply (GOV.UK)
      and
   2. How to apply for an ATAS certificate (GOV.UK).
2. Open the ATAS form online (GOV.UK).
3. Select Taught/research student. Do not select Researcher.
4. Enter your course/study CAH3 code.
   1. New undergraduate student:
      Admissions team will email the code to you. Or you can use our Unit and programme catalogues to find it.
   2. New postgraduate student (taught and research):
      The code is on your offer letter.
   3. Continuing student (extending, upgrading or transferring courses):
      Ask your faculty office for the code and description.
   4. Research student:
      Get an updated ATAS statement from your supervisor. Use the date you submit your ATAS application as the course start date.
5. Enter the course description.
   1. Research student:
      Use your research statement for the description.
   2. Undergraduate and postgraduate taught students:
      List all units available to you for the year.
6. Enter our Student visa sponsor licence number: WE3JP69N1.

Getting your ATAS application result and what to do next

The current processing times are on the official ATAS webpage (GOV.UK).  It can take longer from June to September.

1. Once you have received your certificate by email, check the following are correct:
   • the course description and code
   • your personal information.

If you see any mistakes or inaccuracies, email ATAS@fcdo.gov.uk.

2. If you are applying for a visa, include the certificate in your Student visa application documents.

We will receive a copy of your ATAS certificate at the same time as you receive it, so you do not need to notify us.

Expiry of your ATAS certificate

Your ATAS certificate is valid for 6 months (the expiry date is on the certificate). If you decide to delay your visa application and your certificate expires, you will need to get a new certificate.

Renew your ATAS certificate

Contact our Student Visa team for help.

If your ATAS application is rejected

New students:
Contact our student visa team if you need support with this. You would not be able to transfer to a course that does require ATAS.

Students extending their studies:
You will not be able to study the course in the UK unless the decision changes. We recommend you:

• contact our student visa team
• discuss your academic options with your supervisor and the Faculty Office.

Appealing your ATAS application result

If you think your application has been treated unfairly, you can email the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office at to request a review of your case.

In our experience, if that was your first time applying for ATAS for the course, the review application success rate is low. 

Changing course or topic of research and ATAS certificates

This applies to you if:

• you have an ATAS certificate but want to change to another course or research area
• you do not have an ATAS certificate but your new course or research area needs one (for example, if you are switching from ).

The process is:

1. Contact our Student Visa team to see if you need one for the new course.
2. Apply for a new ATAS certificate. Ask the faculty office or a student visa adviser for the new CAH3 code.
3. State on the application form whether the new certificate is for:
   1. new course
   2. same course but changing area of research
4. Wait until you receive it before you register for/transfer to your new programme or start the new area of research. You should not start until you have received the ATAS certificate.

Contact for help with ATAS

If you need help with your application: ATAS@fcdo.gov.uk (FCDO’s ATAS team)

During busier times over the summer, responses can take considerably longer. 

If you have questions about your course/study: your school or faculty.

Need help with your visa or anything else: Student visa team.