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Guidance

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

Apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate in order to study certain subjects in the
UK.

Published 25 March 2013

Last updated 6 February 2018 — see all updates

From:
Foreign & Commonwealth Office (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office)

Contents
New students
Already in the UK on a student visa
Already in the UK on a non-student visa
How long applications take
What you need to apply
Guidance on how to apply for an ATAS certificate

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) requires all international students who are subject to UK
immigration control, who are intending to study at postgraduate level 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.

The requirement for an ATAS certificate applies to all students whose nationality is outside the European
Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, irrespective of country of residence at the point of application. You
need an ATAS certificate if you are an international student applying to study at postgraduate level in the UK. If
you are applying to study an undergraduate course with an integrated masters year, you may also need ATAS
clearance.

find out if you require an ATAS certificate (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-out-if-you-require-an-atas-certificate)

read the guidance on how to apply for an ATAS certificate (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-on-how-to-
apply-for-an-atas-certificate)

The Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) will ask to see your ATAS certificate as part of your visa application
process.

UK immigration law does not allow universities to permit international students to study for an ATAS applicable
course until the student has supplied the university with all the relevant ATAS certificate details for their
application.

New students
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If you’re a new student and need an ATAS certificate, you will need to get this certificate before applying for a
visa.

You can apply for an ATAS certificate up to 9 months before the starting date of your course. Early applications
are strongly advised.

An ATAS certificate is valid for 6 months from date of issue, which should allow applicants plenty of time to
apply for their student (Tier 4) visa. You can apply for a Tier 4 student visas (https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-
visa) up to 3 months in advance of the start of your course. This means you can apply for an ATAS certificate
up to 9 months before the start of your studies. You should apply for your ATAS certificate as early as possible
from the moment you are made a conditional offer to study at a UK Higher Education Institution (HEI).

Already in the UK on a student visa

If you’re already in the UK on a student visa you will need an ATAS certificate that accurately reflects the HEI
you are attending, and the course of study, including modules or proposed research. Should any of these
details change, you should re-confirm that your new details do not require an ATAS certificate and apply for a
new certificate as appropriate.

You should make a note of when your visa for entry into the UK is due to expire, to allow yourself sufficient
time to complete the ATAS and visa application processes before your current visa expires. We recommend
applying at least 4 months in advance of your current visa expiring.

Already in the UK on a non-student visa

If you entered the UK on a Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 5 visa, which was issued on or after 6 April 2015, you must
apply for an ATAS certificate before beginning your studies. If you entered the UK prior to 6 April 2015 a
certificate is not yet required, although it will become a requirement when you come to renew your visa.

If you have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK you do not need an ATAS to study in the UK. If
you’re in the process of applying for asylum in the UK, you must apply for an ATAS certificate to study in
the UK.

How long applications take

It will take at least 20 working days (4 complete weeks) for your ATAS application to be processed. Processing
times will increase between the months of April and September and can take 30 or more working days to
complete. If you apply between April and September you are asked to show patience in waiting for your
application to be processed.

To ensure fairness and consistency we process applications in order of receipt. There is no ‘fast track’ service
so you should submit your ATAS application as early as possible.

What you need to apply

To apply online you will need both:

your conditional offer letter from your Higher Education Institution (HEI)
information about your programme of study/research including the relevant CAH3 code.

You will also need to provide information on:

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09/07/2019 Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) - GOV.UK

previous studies
previous and current employment (if applicable)
all published papers
optional modules you anticipate taking in a taught Masters (if applicable)
your area of research and a description (for research degrees)
full names and contact details of 2 referees
how you will be funding your studies

You should apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate online
(https://www.academic-technology-approval.service.gov.uk/).

Guidance on how to apply for an ATAS certificate

Follow the advice closely to help ensure there are no unnecessary delays to your application.

Please provide the full names of your referees, employers and sponsors (please provide a first name and
last name and do not provide initials instead of first names).
Please provide details for 2 referees you have ideally known for over 3 years, one of whom should be an
academic referee from your undergraduate studies.
If you have not been employed please indicate ‘not applicable / never employed’.
Ensure the details of the passport you will be using to apply for your Tier 4 visa are provided in full and
are accurate.
Please provide (where applicable) research statements as specifically agreed with your HEI and an
adequate personal statement.
If you are extending studies, please ensure your application features the new length of your course, not
the original length. You should continue to use the original start date on your application and put in the
new end date.
Please ensure there are no long gaps in your employment / education history. If you were unemployed
or, for example, a full-time parent please indicate this on the form.
Please ensure you enter the correct CAH3 code for your course before you submit your application as
you may have to re-apply if you do not include this information.
Information entered by an individual at the application process is what is printed on the certificate. When
you have completed your application, please read through your entries carefully before hitting the
‘submit’ key. The vast majority of mistakes on ATAS certificates, causing delays to students’ registration
processes, are due to accidental errors made when entering data at the time of application.

Find out more about how to apply (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-on-how-to-apply-for-an-atas-certificate).

Published 25 March 2013

Last updated 6 February 2018 + show all updates

1. 6 February 2018 ATAS information updated for study/research for less than 6 months.
2. 24 January 2018 Added information on the ATAS certificate requirements for postgraduate students.
3. 3 March 2017 Note added on email messages to Chinese students.
4. 16 December 2016 Note added on Christmas availability.
5. 19 January 2016 updated detailed guide
6. 16 September 2015 updated notice
7. 30 March 2015 Easter announcement.
8. 31 October 2013 Service update: ATAS application website now up and running.
9. 28 October 2013 Service update notice added: The ATAS application website is down temporarily.
10. 9 August 2013 Added "Important: ATAS Service Update" section

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09/07/2019 Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) - GOV.UK

11. 18 July 2013 Updated contact information

12. 3 May 2013 Removing downtime message as ATAS will not be affected by downtime after all.
13. 3 May 2013 Added a note to online application to notify of downtime on 4th May.
14. 15 April 2013 ‘ATAS is currently accepting applications. Note that the existing service is scheduled to be
replaced by a new online service shortly. Your application should not be affected by the change.’
replaced ‘The ATAS service is currently closed to new applications pending its re-launch on 15 April. Due
to technical difficulties the site is re-opening one week later than originally scheduled. We apologise for
any inconvenience caused. Please ask your University to contact us on your behalf if your application will
consequently require urgent attention after 15 April.’
15. 8 April 2013 The ATAS service is currently closed to new applications pending its re-launch on 15 April.
Due to technical difficulties the site is re-opening one week later than originally scheduled. We apologise
for any inconvenience caused. Please ask your University to contact us on your behalf if your application
will consequently require urgent attention after 15 April.
16. 25 March 2013 Added apply online information.
17. 25 March 2013 First published.

Related content
Find out if you need an ATAS certificate (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-out-if-you-require-an-atas-certificate)
Guidance on applications for UK Tier 4 student visas (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-
on-application-for-uk-visa-as-tier-4-student)
Guidance for dependants of UK visa applicants (Tiers 1, 2, 4, 5 and Appendix W)
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-dependants-of-uk-visa-applicants-tiers-1-2-4-5)
Guidance on how to apply for an ATAS certificate (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-on-how-to-apply-for-
an-atas-certificate)
Public funds (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-funds--2)

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