- You are here:
- Home
- › About us
- › What we do
- › Services we deliver
- › Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
- › What is ATAS?
What is ATAS?
What is the Academic Technology Approval Scheme?
The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) was introduced on 1 November 2007. It 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.
How do I apply for an ATAS certificate?
If you require an ATAS certificate you will need to apply for it before applying for your visa or extension of stay. The possession that of an ATAS certificate does not guarantee you a visa or extension of stay. However, applications will automatically be refused if you need an ATAS certificate and can not provide one.
When applying for a visa, you must also provide evidence that you meet the usual student criteria.
For more information on what you need to apply for a student visa, and if you need to apply for an extension of stay, go to the UK Border Agency website.
An ATAS certificate shows details of the course and Higher Education Institution you have applied for clearance for. If you have more than one offer from different HEIs you will need to apply for separate ATAS clearance certificates for each HEI and programme of study.
An ATAS certificate is valid as long as the details of your course do not change. You can apply for an ATAS certificate up to 12 months in advance of the beginning of your course.
How long does the application process take?
We advise against you making any travel plans before your ATAS application is resolved. We aim to respond to all successfully completed applications within 20 working days. This can be longer during busy periods. We encourage you to apply as soon as you are able to.
If you are in the UK already and you need to extend your visa to complete your course, please check whether ATAS clearance is required.
See our frequently asked questions section for more information.