The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) is a UK government scheme for international students who plan to study specific subjects in the UK.
If you are an international student applying for specific Undergraduate or Postgraduate courses, you may need to apply for an ATAS certificate before you can apply for your visa. The ATAS certificate must state the institution where you plan to study and any course units you might take. You must include a printed copy of your ATAS certificate with your visa application or the visa will be refused.
If you are already studying in the UK on a student visa, you may need an ATAS certificate if you change your course or any units.
You will also need to apply for ATAS clearance if you are coming on a course or a period of research of less than six months in eligible subjects. You will also need to provide the ATAS clearance certificate as part of your Short Term Study visa application, or at the border if you are a non-visa national asking for permission to enter the UK on arrival.
You must apply for an ATAS certificate if you require a short-term study visa to study in the UK or if you are a non-visa national asking for permission to enter the UK, and will be studying in one of the programme listed in the table below.
Please note, you will need a new ATAS certificate every time you make a short-term study visa application.
You should apply for your ATAS certificate as soon as you receive an Conditional offer because you will need it to apply for your visa.
It usually takes at least four weeks for applications to be processed but it may take longer in the summer. You can use your ATAS certificate to apply for your visa for six months from the date it is issued.
If you are already studying in the UK and need to make a new visa application, you will need a new ATAS certificate.
You must apply for an ATAS certificate if you require a visa to study in the UK and have an offer for a Postgraduate research course in one of the programme listed in the table below.
You will also need to apply for a new ATAS certificate if:
You may need to apply for an ATAS certificate if you’re studying:
Undergraduate course | Taught master's | Enhanced MEng Undergraduate course | Research master's / PhD / doctoral level / visiting research student |
|---|---|---|---|
F2 – Materials Science F3 – Physics (including Nuclear Physics) H3 – Mechanical Engineering H4 – Aerospace Engineering H8 – Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering J5 – Materials Technology not otherwise specified | F2 – Materials Science F3 – Physics (including Nuclear Physics) H3 – Mechanical Engineering H4 – Aerospace Engineering H8 – Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering J5 – Materials Technology not otherwise specified | F2 – Materials Science F3 – Physics (including Nuclear Physics) H3 – Mechanical Engineering H4 – Aerospace Engineering H8 – Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering J5 – Materials Technology not otherwise specified | B1 – Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology B2 – Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy B9 – Others in Subjects allied to Medicine Biological sciences - JACS codes beginning: C1 – Biology C2 – Botany C4 – Genetics C5 – Microbiology C7 – Molecular Biology, Biophysics and Biochemistry C9 – Others in Biological Sciences. Veterinary sciences, agriculture and related subjects - JACS codes beginning: D3 – Animal Science D9 – Others in Veterinary Sciences, Agriculture and related subjects Physical sciences - JACS codes beginning: F1 – Chemistry F2 – Materials Science F3 – Physics F5 – Astronomy F8 – Physical Geographical Sciences F9 – Others in Physical Sciences Mathematical and computer sciences - JACS codes beginning: G0 – Mathematical and computer sciences G1 – Mathematics G2 – Operational Research G4 – Computer Science G7 – Artificial Intelligence G9 – Others in Mathematical and Computing Sciences Engineering - JACS codes beginning: H1 – General Engineering H2 – Civil Engineering H3 – Mechanical Engineering H4 – Aerospace Engineering H5 – Naval Architecture H6 – Electronic and Electrical Engineering H7 – Production and Manufacturing Engineering H8 – Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering H9 – Others in Engineering Computer sciences - JACS codes beginning: I1 – Computer Science I4 – Artificial Intelligence I9 – Others in Computer Sciences Technologies - JACS codes beginning: J2 – Metallurgy J4 – Polymers and Textiles J5 – Materials Technology not otherwise specified J7 – Industrial Biotechnology J9 – Others in Technology |
