The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) requires international students subject to UK immigration control, who are applying to study for a postgraduate qualification in certain sensitive subjects, knowledge of which could be used in programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) or their means of delivery, to apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before they can study in the UK. ATAS is granted by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO). There are certain nationailities that are exempt from the ATAS requirement. On 5th October 2020, the list of exempt nationalities was extended - please see Find out if you need an ATAS certificate - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) for up-to-date information. 

Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) will indicate whether or not you require ATAS clearance. Your Faculty/School will also let you know prior to, or at the point of making an offer whether you need ATAS clearance.

If you are a new student on a postgraduate research course at the Faculty of Engineering, ATAS certificate is required before the Admissions team will release your CAS. Your Admissions team will notify you how to provide an ATAS certificate before you can receive CAS. 

• If you are a non-EEA national with settled status* in the UK (e.g. indefinite leave to remain), you do not need an ATAS clearance certificate
• If you are a UK national
• If you are a national of one of the countries listed in the UKVI’s Find out if you need an ATAS certificate - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). If you are one of the listed nationals you will not be required to apply for ATAS.  Only those not listed need to read the information on this webpages 

*If you are unsure if your visa requires you to obtain an ATAS clearance certificate, please contact Student Visas.

Please be advised that it is your responsibility to obtain an ATAS clearance certificate if it is required. If you hold immigration permission that requires ATAS, you will not be permitted to register at the University without showing a valid ATAS clearance certificate.

• Once you have received a conditional or unconditional offer, complete and submit an ATAS form online, following the guidance provided on your offer letter (programme name and description, start and end date, CAH3 code). For additional information on completing your application, please use this link
• You will require a CAH3 code which is a code that is specific to your course of study
  
  • If you are a new undergraduate student, the Undergraduate Admissions team will inform you of the specific CAH3 code for your course and you can use University's Unit and Programme Catalogues to obtain description of your course
  • If you are a new postgraduate student (both taught and research), your offer letter will tell you the specific CAH3 code for your course and the research statement you can use in your application.
  • If you are a continuing student (extending your course, upgrading your course or transfering to a course requiring ATAS), your Faculty Office will be able to look up the specific CAH3 code for your course on the University system. See the this page for the list of academic subjects that need an ATAS certificate – please still contact your Faculty Office for the exact code for your course. You will also be asked to provide a description of your course. If you are on an undergraduate or postgraduate taught course, you can use University's Unit and Programme Catalogues to obtain this information. If you are a research student, please obtain an updated ATAS statement from your supervisor. As a continuing student please use the date you submit your ATAS application as the course start date when asked 'when will your course start'.
• Application is free and will ask for details of your previous studies/employment and your proposed research/taught modules.
• If you are asked for the University's Student visa sponsor licence number, it is WE3JP69N1. 
• ATAS applications take around 20 working days to process, after which the Foreign & Commonwealth Office will confirm whether you have been cleared or refused. Please be aware your application may take longer during the peak periods of June-September, please allow 4-6 weeks for your ATAS to arrive during this time.
• ATAS certificates are valid for six months.
• You will need a new ATAS certificate prior to registering on a new programme, or if you change programmes, or if you wish to extend leave to remain as a student.
• If you switch to a programme that requires ATAS clearance, you must obtain a certificate before you can transfer (eg if you are switching to an undergraduate course that leads to a postgraduate exit qualification covered by ATAS).
• If your area of research or programme requires an ATAS certificate, and is likely to change to another which also requires an ATAS certificate, then you should wait until you have applied for and received your new ATAS certificate before you register on the new course or start the new area of research.

If you currently have an ATAS for your studies, and want to change to another area of research or programme requiring an ATAS:

• Apply for a new ATAS certificate
• Wait until you have received it before you register on your new programme or start the new area of research
• Check with a visa adviser if you require a new visa for the new course

I've received my ATAS Certificate - What do I need to do now?

If your ATAS application is successful, you will receive a certificate by email. You should check your junk folders regularly to ensure the email has not been filtered out. When you receive your certificate, you should:

• check the details on it are correct and match your offer/research documentation from your HEI or research institute
• if the details are correct, print the certificate and include it in your visa application documentation
• contact the ATAS unit at ATAS@fcdo.gov.uk if there are mistakes or inaccuracies