ACADEMIC TECHNOLOGY APPROVAL SCHEME
Clearance Certificates Required For Swiss & Non EU/EEA Nationals
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have announced that the British Government, in its attempt to prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, has introduced a new scheme designed to ensure that foreign students studying sensitive subjects in the UK do not have connections with WMD programmes. As a result of this, from 30 th November 2007 foreign students wishing to enter OR remain in the UK for more than 6 months to undertake postgraduates course or carry research in designated subjects (see below for a list of the said subjects) will have to seek authorisation under the Academic Technology Approval Scheme.
Students studying a subject matter covered by the scheme and wishing to come to the UK for more than 6 months to undertake a period of study or research as part of their course will also have to seek ATAS approval.
Those wishing to come to or to extend their stay once in the UK on or after November 30 th will be required to obtain a valid ATAS clearance certificate before they are able to file their student visa/entry clearance or further leave to remain or extension of stay application. This will be compulsory and failure to provide a valid certificate will result in the application being rejected. In addition to the ATAS clearance certificate, applicants will still need to provide evidence that they meet the usual student criteria as per the immigration rules for leave to enter or remain in the UK .
It is IMPORTANT to note that the ATAS certificates are specific to the course and its teaching institution. Applicants who have a number of offers and have yet to make up their mind should file an ATAS clearance certificate application for EACH course/programme of study AND institution.
Applications for ATAS clearance certificate can be filed online via the FCO's website.
The FCO have indicated that the test should not take more than 30 minutes to complete.
The advertised processing time is between 5 to 10 working days. It is therefore recommended that applicants in the UK apply at least 3 to 4 weeks before their expiry of their stays.
The FCO does not charge a fee for this service.
Tips:
- Read the FCO guidance notes carefully before completing the online application
- The scheme applies to certain science courses at postgraduate level, and courses which exit qualification is a Doctorate or Masters degree by research or in one of the five taught Master degree areas identified on the official list.
- You will need your offer letter from the University/institution at hand to file your online application. The letter should contain information about the programme of study/research including the relevant JACS code and a description of the research you will undertake. Make sure that the JACS code is accurate ie it matches your intended area of study. If you do not have the JACS code and the description you must approach your university / institution to obtain them before proceeding with your ATAS application.
- When completing the form it is CRUCIAL that the text you enter matches the test on your offer letter word by word. If there are discrepancies between your offer letter and your ATAS you student visa/entry clearance or further to remain / extension of leave application may be rejected.
- To complete the form you will need your contact details, passport details, your spouse/partner's details, information on your previous studies, information on your current and previous employment, details of published papers (if applicable), details of previous ATAS applications (if applicable), the programme of study you are applying to follow in the UK including the relevant JACS code and research proposal, the name and contact details of 2 referees, and details on how you intend to fund your studies.
Subjects covered by the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) as they appear on the Foreign and Commonwealth's website at ATAS
If the exit qualification will be a Doctorate or Masters by Research (MRes, MPhil etc but not MEng, MPharm, MSci):
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
Subjects included for Taught Masters as well as Doctorate and Masters degrees by research (but not MEng. MPharm, Msci):
- F2 – Materials Science
- F3 – Physics (including Nuclear Physics)
- H3 – Mechanical Engineering
- H4 – Aerospace Engineering
J5 – Materials Technology not otherwise specified
Border & Immigration Agency posting
13th November 2007:
From 30 November 2007 the academic technology approval scheme ( ATAS ) will become a mandatory requirement within the Immigration Rules for students intending to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for more than 6 months to undertake postgraduate studies or research in certain designated subjects.
The ATAS will also apply to you if you are enrolled on an overseas course which is similar in subject matter to those covered by the ATAS and you intend to come to the UK for more than 6 months in order to undertake a period of study/research, which forms part of your postgraduate overseas course .
If you wish to come to, or extend your stay in, the United Kingdom for such a purpose you will, from 30 November 2007 , be required to provide a valid ATAS clearance certificate with your application for an entry clearance or an extension of stay. Failure to provide a valid clearance certificate will result in your application being refused.
You can apply now for an ATAS clearance certificate in readiness for 30 November 2007. You should apply online for a clearance certificate to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Counter Proliferation Department where you will also find a list of the designated subjects and further details of the scheme.
This should not take you any longer than 30 minutes to complete. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) aims to respond to applications within 3 weeks from the date of receipt. Most will be resolved within 5-10 working days. The FCO does not charge for this service.' |
