What is the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)?
The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) is used to help stop the spread of knowledge and skills that could be used in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery. This is common with other governments around the world.The ATAS is designed to ensure that people who are applying to study certain sensitive subjects in the UK do not have links to WMD programmes. We advise you to find out if you need an ATAS certificate before applying for a student visa or extension.
For full details of ATAS, visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.
For full details of ATAS, visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.
Do I need an ATAS certificate?
You only need an ATAS certificate if you are an international Postgraduate Student (you require a visa to study in the UK) and your course is in one of the subject areas below. At UEA, we inform all international students who need to apply for an ATAS certificate once accepted onto one of the courses which it is required and how to do this.
How do I apply for my ATAS certificate?
IF you have been informed you do need an ATAS certificate, information of how to apply for this will be given with your offer letter. Information of the application process is on the FCO website.
Subjects requiring an ATAS certificate:
Taught Masters Courses
JACS codes beginning:
F2 – materials Science
F2 – materials Science
F3 – physics (including Nuclear Physics)
H3 – mechanical Engineering
H4 – aerospace Engineering
J5 – materials Technology not otherwise specified
PhD or other Research Courses
Subjects allied to medicine
JACS codes beginning:
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 and Terrestrial Geographical and Environmental Sciences
F9 – Others in Physical Sciences.
Mathematical and Computer Sciences
JACS codes beginning:
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.
Technologies
JACS codes beginning:
J2 – Metallurgy
J4 – Polymers and Textiles
J5 – Materials Technology not otherwise specified
J7 – Industrial Biotechnology
J9 – Others in Technology
