ATAS

ATAS Clearance

When a new ATAS certificate is required.

If you are a current undergraduate master's, postgraduate or temporary student, you may require ATAS clearance if you are changing or extending your programme, or you are submitting a new visa application.   

Who requires ATAS clearance?

You need ATAS clearance if:

  • You are studying a subject area considered to be 'sensitive' by the UK government, and
  • You are not a UK, Irish, or other exempt national, or you do not have Indefinite Leave to Enter or Remain in the UK
Exempt nationals

Which programmes require ATAS clearance?

  • MEng Aeronautical Engineering - CAH3 code: CAH10-01-04
  • MEng Automotive Materials - CAH3 code: CAH10-03-02
  • MEng Biomaterials Engineering - CAH3 code: CAH10-03-02
  • MEng Chemical Engineering - CAH3 code: CAH10-01-09
  • MPhys Engineering Physics - CAH3 code: CAH07-01-01
  • MEng Materials Science and Engineering - CAH3 code: CAH10-03-02
  • MPhys Mathematics and Physics - CAH3 code: CAH07-01-01
  • MEng Mechanical Engineering - CAH3 code: CAH10-01-02
  • MPhys Physics - CAH3 code: CAH07-01-01
  • MPhys Physics and Mathematics - CAH3 code: CAH07-01-01
  • MPhys Physics with Computing - CAH3 code: CAH07-01-01
  • MPhys Physics with Theoretical Physics - CAH3 code: CAH07-01-01
  • MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering - CAH3 code: CAH10-01-09
  • MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering with IT and Management - CAH3 code: CAH10-01-09
  • MSc Advanced Materials Science and Engineering – CAH3 code: CAH10-03-02
  • MSc Advanced Physics - CAH3 code: CAH07-01-01
  • MSc Mechanical Engineering - CAH3 code: CAH10-01-02
  • MSc Physics of Materials - CAH3 code: CAH07-01-01
  • MSc Polymer Science and Engineering - CAH3 code: CAH10-03-02

Short courses and exchange programmes in the following Schools or Departments:

  • Department of Chemical Engineering - CAH3 code: CAH10-01-09
  • Department of Materials - CAH3 code: CAH10-03-02
  • Department of Physics - CAH3 code: CAH07-01-01

If you are studying in the Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, ATAS may be required.  Contact the School for further information.

  • MSc Chemical Engineering (China Partnership Programme) - CAH3 code: CAH10-01-09
  • MSc Materials Engineering (China Partnership Programme) - CAH3 code: CAH10-03-02
  • MSc Mechanical Engineering (China Partnership Programme) - CAH3 code: CAH10-01-02
  • MSc Physics (China Partnership Programme) - CAH3 code: CAH07-01-01

ATAS require details of the modules you will be studying in each year of your programme. You can get an up-to-date list of modules from your School.

When is ATAS clearance required?

You will need to apply if you are on a programme which requires ATAS clearance and:

  • You are extending the length of your course by 3 months or more, for example you are retaking modules with attendance, or adding a placement year
  • You plan to study modules which were not included in your original ATAS application
  • You are applying for a new Student visa (in the UK or overseas)
  • You are planning to return to the UK on a Visitor visa for up to six months to retake one or more modules or exams
  • You are applying for asylum in the UK

Or: 

  • You want to transfer to a programme which requires ATAS clearance

How and when should I apply?

If you have requested a programme transfer or want to add a placement year to your programme, you must obtain ATAS clearance before your transfer/route change can be processed.  

If your programme end date is delayed by more than 3 months, you must apply for a new ATAS certificate within 28 days. For example, if you are registering for reassessment with attendance in the Next Academic Year you must apply for ATAS clearance and send evidence of your application to Student Records & Operations when you return your reassessment form.

If the content of your programme or modules change, you must apply as soon as you know about the changes and send evidence of your application to Student Records & Operations.

If you need to apply for a new Student visa, you must obtain ATAS clearance before the University will issue your new CAS.

Submitting an application

You should submit your application via the ATAS website.  The application is free of charge and will take at least 20 working days to be processed.  Processing times are slower between April and September so apply as soon as you can.  Your certificate will be valid for a visa application for six months from the date of issue.

Apply for ATAS

Further information and a link to the application portal on the gov.uk website