FAQ - Universities/Higher Education Institutions

Why do students need to apply for an ATAS certificate?

ATAS's chief objective is to counter the threat of WMD Proliferation to preserve the security of the UK. ATAS is a tool the UK government uses to help deliver this objective by working with Higher Education Institutions.

If the student meets the criteria for ATAS, the Immigration Rules state that they need to have an ATAS certificate before they apply for their visa, or extension of stay.

What information do I need to provide to the student to make an ATAS application?

You will need to provide students applying for ATAS with an official letter which details their:

• course title
• the JACS code 
• whether the course is Taught or Research based 
• Taught Courses will require a list of modules the student can study
• Research Courses will require a brief research proposal of the student’s intended study. This needs to be a minimum of 5 sentences in length and explains exactly what the student will be learning from their course.
  

What information will students require to complete the form?

The most important document they will need to refer to is their official offer from your Higher Education Institution (please see above), plus:

• contact details  
• passport details   
• the name and nationality of their spouse/partner
• full details of all previous studies, including from their home country
• full details of all previous and current employment
• full details of published papers 
• full details of any previous ATAS applications
• full names and contact details of 2 referees (First name(s) and Family name). They must have known both their referees for at least 3 years. At least one of these must be an academic from their country of origin.
• how they will be funding their studies.
  

4.  Which courses require ATAS clearance?

Taught Courses:

• 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.
  

Research Based 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 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 Science

Technologies

JACS codes beginning:

• J2 – Metallurgy
• J4 – Polymers and Textiles 
• J5 – Materials Technology not otherwise specified 
• J7 – Industrial Biotechnology 
• J9 – Others in Technology.
  

What happens if a student is refused ATAS clearance?

They will receive an email informing them of their decision. If their application for ATAS has been refused they have the right to request a review of their application.

What happens if a student’s visa is refused because they did not have an ATAS certificate when ATAS clearance was not required?

Please email us with the student's details, a copy of their offer and a copy of their refusal notice. You can send this to atas@fco.gov.uk.