Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
On the 1st November 2007 the UK Government introduced the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS). Having an ATAS clearance certificate is a mandatory requirement for students who require entry clearance or a visa to study in the UK and wish to study at postgraduate level in certain subject areas.
Once an applicant has obtained an ATAS certificate s/he will be able to apply for a student visa or entry clearance. Possession of an ATAS certificate does not guarantee a visa / entry clearance but an application will be automatically refused if an ATAS certificate is required but not provided for certain subjects.
All subject areas at UK higher education institutions are identified by a JACS code. This information is included in the offer letter. If an application has been made to study a subject with a relevant JACS code the applicant will need an ATAS certificate.
The offer letter will inform the applicant whether s/he requires ATAS clearance. For further information or to access the on-line ATAS application form see the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. To check whether a particular subject requires ATAS clearance see Do I need an ATAS Certificate?
If an application has been made for a research programme and ATAS clearance is required, an agreed project proposal will be supplied with the offer letter. If an application has been made for a postgraduate taught programme and ATAS clearance is required a list of the programme modules will be supplied with the offer letter. This information will need to be submitted to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with the ATAS application form.
