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Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

International students studying certain postgraduate or research courses in the UK must obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before applying for a student visa.

The scheme was introduced by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to prevent the spread of knowledge that could be used to create and deliver weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

If you will be studying a postgraduate or research course, please check the JACS code given on your offer letter. If the code for your course begins with any of the characters listed below, you will need to apply for an ATAS certificate. You can apply online via the FCO website. Please allow at least four weeks for your certificate to be issued.

Students taking the following courses will require an ATAS certificate

Postgraduate taught course JACS codes starting with:

  • 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

Postgraduate research course JACS codes starting with:

Subjects allied to medicine

  • B1 – Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology
  • B2 – Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy
  • B9 – Others in Subjects allied to Medicine and Biological Sciences
  • 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

  • D3 – Animal Science
  • D9 – Others in Veterinary Sciences, Agriculture and related subjects

Physical Sciences

  • F1 – Chemistry
  • F2 – Materials Science
  • F3 – Physics
  • F5 – Astronomy
  • F8 – Physical Geographical Sciences
  • F9 – Others in Physical Sciences

Mathematical and Computer Sciences

  • G0 –Mathematical and Computer Sciences
  • G1 – Mathematics
  • G2 – Operational Research
  • G4 – Computer Science
  • G7 – Artificial Intelligence
  • G9 – Others in Mathematical and Computing Sciences

Engineering

  • 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

  • I1 – Computer Science
  • I4 – Artificial Intelligence
  • I9 – Others in computer Sciences

Technologies

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