** The ATAS system is experiencing a minor technical issue that is stopping some applicants from receiving the automated email containing their ATAS certificate. Higher Education Institutions are however receiving a copy of it.  ATAS believe the issue is the use of Gmail accounts so they have asked that applicants do not use a Gmail email address when submitting their ATAS applications.  Their engineerings are urgently reviewing this situation.  If you have any questions, please contact the ATAS team directly Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) - GOV.UK”
ATAS (the Academic Technology Approval Scheme) is a scheme by which the UK government screens students from outside Europe who may, through studies in engineering, science or technology, have access to information and technology which could be used to develop weapons of mass destruction.

Students can apply for an ATAS certificate once they have received a conditional or unconditional offer from the university.

Applications can take at least 30 working days (6 weeks) to process.  Please note during peak time (April to August) this may take longer.  The university is unable to issue your CAS until we have received your ATAS certification.

Guidance on what should be included in the ATAS statement at time of submission.

Taught Postgraduate - For a taught master’s degree, list the elective/optional modules; there are no electives, list the core modules.

Doctoral - A research statement, 6-7 lines in length, summarising the research activities you  will undertake, including the research abstract; this statement should provide sufficient detail to allow the FCO to determine if clearance should be granted. 

Students should copy and paste their course details into the ATAS application form to avoid any errors.

Continuing students with changes to programme of study

You will need to apply and obtain a new ATAS certificate in any of the following circumstances:

  • your programme contents or research proposal has changed (for PhD students, relevant changes would be anything other than minor changes to areas of research or the use of any new research technique);
  • you need to apply for a new student visa to be able to continue on your programme;
  • you want to change to a new programme of study that requires ATAS ;
  • your programme start and end dates will be delayed by more than 3 months;
  • your primary supervisor has changed;
  • your financial sponsor or conditions for financial sponsorship change at any time during your study or research