Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) is designed to ensure that those applying to study in certain sensitive subjects do not acquire knowledge that could potentially be used in weapons of mass destruction programmes. The scheme is operated by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as part of the UK’s commitment to counter proliferation.

If you are intending to study an area that requires ATAS clearance, the University will contact you once an offer has been made to ensure you are aware of the process and to provide the additional information you will require to successfully apply for ATAS clearance.

You must apply for your ATAS certificate before you start your visa application process. ATAS clearance can take up to a month to be approved in busy periods.

You do not need an ATAS Certificate if you are a national of any of the following countries:
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Croatia
- Republic of Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United States of America
If you are not a national of one of the above countries and you are an undergraduate studying a course that leads to an Integrated Masters degree or are a postgraduate student, you may need an ATAS certificate depending on if your course is considered a sensitive subject for the scheme’s purposes.
The following subject areas are considered sensitive subjects for the purposes of the ATAS. If your course begins with one of the following codes, you will need to apply for an ATAS certificate before you apply for your visa or an extension of stay.

Plese also check if you need an ATAS certificiate.

Integrated Masters courses
- CAH07-01-01 – Physics (including Nuclear Physics)
- CAH10-01-02 – Mechanical Engineering
- CAH10-01-04 – Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
- CAH10-01-09 – Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering
- CAH10-03-01 - Minerals Technology
- CAH10-03-02 - Materials Technology
- CAH10-03-07 - Materials Science
Taught postgraduate courses
- CAH07-01-01 – Physics (including Nuclear Physics)
- CAH10-01-02 – Mechanical Engineering
- CAH10-01-04 – Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
- CAH10-01-09 – Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering
- CAH10-03-01 - Minerals Technology
- CAH10-03-02 - Materials Technology
- CAH10-03-07 - Materials Science
Research postgraduate courses
- CAH02-02-01 - Pharmacology
- CAH02-02-02 - Toxicology
- CAH02-02-03 - Pharmacy
- CAH02-05-03 - Biomedical Sciences (non-specific)
- CAH03-01-01 - Biosciences (non-specific)
- CAH03-01-02 - Biology (non-specific)
- CAH03-01-03 - Ecology and Environmental Biology
- CAH03-01-04 - Microbiology and Cell Science
- CAH03-01-05 - Plant Sciences
- CAH03-01-06 - Zoology
- CAH03-01-07 - Genetics
- CAH03-01-08 - Molecular Biology, Biophysics and Biochemistry
- CAH03-01-10 - Others in Biological Sciences
- CAH05-01-02 - Others in Veterinary Sciences
- CAH06-01-02 - Agricultural Sciences
- CAH07-01-01 - Physics
- CAH07-01-02 - Astronomy
- CAH07-02-01 - Chemistry
- CAH07-04-01 - Physical Sciences (non-specific)
- CAH07-04-03 - Sciences (non-specific)
- CAH07-04-04 - Natural Sciences (non-specific)
- CAH09-01-01 - Mathematics
- CAH09-01-02 - Operational Research
- CAH10-01-01 - Engineering (non-specific)
- CAH10-01-02 - Mechanical Engineering
- CAH10-01-04 - Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
- CAH10-01-05 - Naval Architecture
- CAH10-01-06 - Bioengineering, Medical and Biomedical Engineering
- CAH10-01-07 - Civil Engineering
- CAH10-01-08 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- CAH10-01-09 - Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering
- CAH10-03-01 - Minerals Technology
- CAH10-03-02 - Materials Technology
- CAH10-03-03 - Polymers and Textiles
- CAH10-03-04 - Maritime Technology
- CAH10-03-05 - Biotechnology
- CAH10-03-07 - Materials Science
- CAH11-01-01 - Computer Science
- CAH11-01-02 - Information Technology
- CAH11-01-03 - Information Systems
- CAH11-01-04 - Software Engineering
- CAH11-01-05 - Artificial Intelligence
- CAH26-01-05 - Others in Geographical Studies
Students are responsible for applying for their ATAS certificate using the information provided by the University.

You will need to provide details to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of your specific area of study or research, which will be confirmed in writing by the University.

Research students should seek advice from their research supervisor when detailing the proposed research project so that the application contains a detailed and accurate description.

Most ATAS refusals are made because the description of the proposed research is not detailed enough to allow an accurate assessment to be made. If your ATAS is refused, you may request a review; the procedure for a review will be explained in the refusal notice.

See the UKVI’s guidance on applying for an ATAS certificate.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

Do I need an ATAS certificate?

Sensitive subjects

How to apply for an ATAS certificate