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ATAS

Section 1: Purpose and Contents of this page:

This page has been made to provide information about Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

ATASLink opens in a new window is a certificate issued by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) which gives you security clearance to study certain subject areas in the UK.

These subject areas relate to where the knowledge gained may have an application in the development or delivery of weapons of mass destruction, for example, certain science subjects such as mathematics, engineering, technology or medicine.

An ATAS certificate will be required as part of your visa application if you intend to study a subject area in the UK that is ATAS attracting. You might also need a new ATAS certificate if your circumstances change once you have started your course, for example, if your course duration is extended for more than 3 months, or, if the area of your research change during the course.

This is not limited to the Student visa (previously known as 'Tier 4') category. You will also need ATAS if you are going to study your course using other time-limited visa such as Dependant visa, work visa and Standard Visitor visaLink opens in a new window. In these cases, ATAS is a condition of your visa which means you do not necessarily need the ATAS certificate to apply for the visa, but you will need the ATAS certificate to study on the course.

The Immigration Service have produced a guide to completing the ATAS applicationLink opens in a new window which should be used in conjunction with the information on the FCDO website.




Section 2: Who does not require an ATAS?

You do not require an ATAS if you are:

Section 3: Do I need an ATAS?

You can see if you need an ATAS certificate by checking the following:

  • Your offer letter from the University of Warwick will state if your programme requires an ATAS certificate.
  • If you are applying for a Student visa, your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) statement will also state if you are required to obtain an ATAS certificate.
  • If you have already started your course and are changing to a different course that requires ATAS, or, if you have been given a period of extension which extends your course end date by more than 3 months, you will receive an email from Student Records team which informs you to apply for ATAS and your course change/ extension request will be put on hold until you receive the ATAS certificate.
  • If you have received ATAS clearance and started your course but the course content or research proposal has since changed (for PhD students, it means changes other than minor changes to the areas of research or to the use of any new research technique). If you are unsure, it is best to obtain a new ATAS certificate.

Section 4: How do I apply for an ATAS?

Applications for an ATAS are submitted online and are free of charge.


You can apply for an ATAS certificate as soon as you have received a conditional or unconditional offer from the University of Warwick.


As the application will take 30 working days to be processed, you are advised to apply in good time when you receive your offer for your course.


It is recommended that you apply 4 - 6 months before your course start date where possible.


Click hereLink opens in a new window for an application guide to be used alongside the information on the gov.uk website.


You will receive an email from the FCDO to confirm if your application has been approved or refused.


What information will I need to complete the online ATAS application?


It is recommended that you have the following information before you start your online application:


  • Your conditional offer letter from the University of Warwick


AND


  • Information about your programme of study/research including the relevant CAH3 code - this information will have been provided to you and will vary depending on the course you are following

If it has been over 30 working days since you submitted your ATAS applciation and you have not recieved your ATAS decision:

Please click on the following link, complete the online form and submit:


ATAS Decision Not ReceivedLink opens in a new window

Section 5: I am a Research student

I am a new Research Student

When you apply for ATAS clearance, you will be asked to give a statement of six or seven lines to describe broadly your planned area of research. If you are a prospective postgraduate research student, once you receive an offer, the Postgraduate Admissions team will provide you with an email giving a brief description of the research that you will carry out. You simply need to copy the statement exactly as it appears in your email from Postgraduate Admissions into the ATAS form. If you have not received the appropriate documentation for your ATAS application, please contact the Postgraduate Admissions teamLink opens in a new window.

I am a current postgraduate research (e.g., Master's by research, PhD, EngD) student
you might need a new ATAS for a number of reasons:

  • Following the initial grant of an ATAS certificate, you have changed to a different research course.
  • You have received an academic extension before your viva, or you have been given a period of correction after your viva, and as a result, your 'course end date' on the University records system is more than 3 months after the 'course end date' as stated on your CAS.
    • In these cases, you will be contacted by the Student Records team when they process the extension/course change request, and they will send you the necessary information and instruct you to make your ATAS application. Your extension/course change request will then be processed once you have provided the Student Records Team with your ATAS application reference number and date of ATAS application. The Immigration Compliance Team will follow-up with the Student Records Team to ensure your ATAS certificate has been received in due course.
  • You need to make a new visa application under the Student Route (e.g., you are returning after taking a period of temporary withdrawal or you are switching into the Student Route).
  • Following the initial grant of an ATAS certificate, you plan to change your research area or research technique imminently, and it is not a minor change.

In these cases, you will need to obtain a statement from the Student Records team. Please email SR.research@warwick.ac.uk and clearly state that you are a current student, that you require an ATAS statement (please specify the reason) and include your name, Warwick I.D. number and the course you are currently enrolled on in the email. You will receive an official statement from Student Records along with the CAH3 code in a few days' time, and you should use that statement for your ATAS application.

Section 6: I am a taught Master’s student:

If you are starting a new taught Master’s course (MA, MSc etc.), you will be asked to give a list of the modules that you are likely to take and any project/dissertation work to be completed. Again, this information will be sent after an offer is made and you simply need to copy the list exactly as it appears in the email. Please do not attempt to compile the list of modules by yourself as both core and optional/elective modules must be listed and a partial list will invalidate your ATAS certificate.

If you have started a taught Master's course which is subject to ATAS clearance, there might be a number of reasons why you may require a new ATAS:

  • You have received an academic extension and as a result, your 'course end date' on the University records system is more than 3 months after the 'course end date' as stated on your CAS.
  • Following the initial grant of an ATAS certificate, you have changed to a different course which is also subject to ATAS clearance.

In these cases, you will be contacted by the Student Records team when they process the extension/course change request, and they will send you the necessary information and instruct you to make your ATAS application. Your extension/course change request will not be processed until you receive the new ATAS certificate.

  • You need to make a new visa application under the Student Route (e.g., you are returning after taking a period of temporary withdrawal or you are switching into the Student Route).

In this case, you will need to obtain a statement from the Student Records team. Please email sr.coordinator@warwick.ac.uk and clearly state that you are a current student, that you require an ATAS statement (please specify the reason) and include your name, Warwick I.D. number and the course you are currently enrolled on in the email. You will receive an official statement from Student Records along with the CAH3 code in a few days' time, and you should use that statement for your ATAS application.

Section 7: I am an undergraduate student (including undergraduate Master's):

If you are a new undergraduate student taking a course that will lead to a postgraduate exit qualification, the Undergraduate Admissions team should provide you with information about the modules you will take. This information will need to be provided on your application. If you have not received the appropriate documentation for your ATAS application please contact the Undergraduate Admissions team.

If you are a current undergraduate student transferring to a course that will lead to a postgraduate exit qualification, and are required to obtain an ATAS certificate, the Student Records team will contact you and provide you with a statement as part of the course transfer request. This information will need to be provided on your ATAS application.

It is important that you complete your application accurately and do not make any errors whilst you are completing your application form as this may delay a decision being served by the FCDO.

  • You need to make a new visa application under the Student Route (e.g., you are returning after taking a period of temporary withdrawal, or, you are switching into the Student Route).

In this case, you will need to obtain a statement from the Student Records team. Please email sr.coordinator@warwick.ac.uk and clearly state that you are a current student, that you require an ATAS statement (please specify the reason) and include your name, Warwick I.D. number and the course you are currently enrolled on in the email. You will receive an official statement from Student Records along with the CAH3 code in a few days' time, and you should use that statement for your ATAS application.

Section 8: How long is an ATAS certificate valid for? What if there is a delay in receiving my ATAS?

You must use your ATAS certificate within 6 months of the date it is issued. If you do not, you will need to apply for a new one. Once you have used the certificate with a visa application, your ATAS certificate will remain valid for the length of the course for which it was issued, from the course start date to the course end date given on the CAS + 3 calendar months. The certificate remains valid as long as your programme of study, provided that your subject area does not change and the course end date is not postponed for a period of more than 3 calendar months. You must apply for a new ATAS Clearance Certificate within 28 calendar days of being notified of the changes in course, regardless of when your visa expires.

If you lose your ATAS certificate, you should email the ATAS team.
If you experience a delay in your ATAS application, please refer to further guidance here.

Section 9: Will I need an ATAS certificate to extend my visa?

If you apply to extend your student visa in the UK to complete a course that is subject to ATAS clearance, you will need to apply for and receive a ATAS clearance certificate before submitting your Student Route visa application. If you do not already have an ATAS certificate for this course, you will need to apply for one.

Remember it may take up to 30 working days for ATAS certificates to be processed, although applications are taking much longer than this

Our website provides details on the process of applying for a student visa.

Continuing student applying for ATAS to make a visa application under the Student Route:

For ATAS statements, please contact the following

Undergraduate Master's and Master's students contact SR.coordinator@warwick.ac.uk

PHD/Research students contact: SR.Research@warwick.ac.uk

Section 10: Do I have to provide the University with a copy of my ATAS certificate?

New Students:
No. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will automatically send the University a copy of your ATAS certificate and you are therefore not required to provide a copy to the University yourself.
Continuing Students:
When you are requesting a CAS to extend your visa, you will need to provide immigration service with a copy of ATAS certificate. The certificate can be attached along with the CAS request for visa extension (visa extension due to academic extension)

Section 11: I have obtained my ATAS but now have a new passport. Do I need to apply for ATAS again?

If you obtain a new passport after having received the ATAS certificate with the previous passport number on, where there is time, you are advised to contact ATAS by email with a scanned copy of your new passport and ask for a new ATAS certificate to be issued with the new passport number on. If there isn't enough time, you are advised to submit the visa application with both passports.

Page Change Log:

Page Audit Review:
Previous Review Date Reviewed By Next Review Date
13/Mar/2022 ISA: JL 13/Mar/2023
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All All Page Created ISA: JL 13/Mar/2022