The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

In common with other Governments around the world, the British Government is working hard to stop the spread of knowledge and skills that could be used in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery.  The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) is designed to ensure that people who are applying to study certain sensitive subjects in the UK do not have links to WMD programmes.

As a result, if you are a non-EU/EEA (including Switzerland) national planning to undertake postgraduate study in the UK in certain science, engineering or technology disciplines, then you will need to acquire an ATAS certificate before you can apply for a Visa, Entry Clearance (EC) or Extension of Stay (EoS).

Because the ATAS scheme is targeted only at a small range of sensitive subjects, it is more streamlined and much faster than similar schemes in other countries. The vast majority of ATAS applications will be processed by ATAS within 10 working days of receipt.

Once you have obtained your ATAS certificate you will be able to apply for your student Visa / EC / EoS. Possession of an ATAS certificate does not guarantee you a Visa / EC / EoS, but your application will automatically be refused if you need an ATAS certificate but cannot provide one. We therefore advise you to find out if you need an ATAS certificate before applying for a student Visa / EC / EoS.

For more information please visit the ATAS website

Who needs to apply for an ATAS certificate?

You DO NOT need an ATAS certificate if:

You are a UK, EU or EEA (including Switzerland) national
The Postgraduate Taught programme for which you are applying for is NOT listed below

You DO need an ATAS certificate if You are currently in receipt of an offer to study one of the following postgraduate taught programmes at this University.

Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering - JACS code beginning H3
MSc Automotive Systems Engineering

Department of Chemical Engineering - JACS codes beginning H800
MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering with IT and Management
MSc Advanced Process Engineering

Department of Materials - JACS code beginning J5
MSc Materials Science and Technology
MSc Polymer Science and Technology

Department of Physics - JACS code beginning F3
MSc Quantum Information and Computing
MSc Nanoscience
MSc Science of the Internet
MSc Astrophysics and Cosmology
MSc Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
MSc Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
MSc Surface Physics
MSc Materials Physics and Applications
MSc Quantum Structures and Phase Transitions
MSc Psychophysics

Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering - JACS code beginning H3
MSc Mechanical Engineering

AND

You require a student Visa, Entry Clearance or Extension of Stay to study in the UK

If you are already in the UK as a student (or in one of the limited number of other immigration categories which permit switching into the student route) and you would like to extend your stay in the UK as a student, then you will also need to obtain an ATAS certificate if you meet the criteria above. You must do this before applying for an extension of stay.

How to Apply:

Before you submit an application you must be in receipt of the official Loughborough University offer letter as the information needed to apply is contained within your offer letter.

Once you have your offer letter you should go to the ATAS Website where you will be able to apply on line.  When applying you will need the following information, most of which will be contained within your offer letter:

Name:

Date of Birth:

Application Number: This is as stated on your offer letter

Programme Title: This is as stated on your offer letter

JACS code: This is as stated on your offer letter

Qualification: This should be MSc

Length of Programme: This is as stated on your offer letter

Date of Entry: This is as stated on your offer letter

Method of Study: This should be Taught

Registration (Full or Part time): This should be Full-time

Optional Modules: Please see below

Please contact us pgtadmissions@lboro.ac.uk if you have any further questions.

Core and Optional Modules:

ATAS also require information on the modules for the programme you have an offer for.  Loughborough University has informed ATAS of the core modules for this programme but you will also be asked to provide a list of the optional modules which  you may want to take when you register as a student.  This is only an indication as you will not be required to choose the specific modules until you arrive and register at the University.

The optional modules for the programme you are being offered are as follows:

Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering

MSc Automotive Systems Engineering

  • Automotive Control
  • Automotive Materials - an Overview
  • Design Integrated Manufacture
  • Electronic Systems Integration
  • Engine Performance Advanced Technologies
  • Powertrains Engineering
  • Vehicle Dynamics
  • Vehicle Platform Engineering
  • Systems Safety and Reliability Engineering
  • Manufacturing Systems

Department of Chemical Engineering

MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering with IT and Management

    • Chemical Product Design
    • Modern Methods of Water Pollution Monitoring
    • Filtration
    • Mixing of Fluids and Particles
    • Separations & Downstream Processing
    • Colloid Engineering and nano-science
    • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
    • Drug Delivery and Targeting
    • Engineering Management & Business Studies
    • Industrial Design & Human Factors
    • The Innovation Process and Project Management

MSc Advanced Process Engineering

  • Chemical Product Design
  • Colloid Engineering and Nano-science
  • Modern Methods for Water Pollution Monitoring
  • Mixing of Fluids and Particles
  • Filtration
  • Advanced Computational Methods for Modelling and Analysis of Chemical Engineering Systems
  • Drug Delivery and Targeting
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
  • Cell Based Therapies

Department of Materials

MSc Materials Science and Technology

  • Adhesive Bonding
  • Industrial Case Studies
  • Plastics Processing Technology
  • Rubber Science and Technology
  • Materials Modelling

MSc Polymer Science and Technology

  • Adhesive Bonding
  • Plastics Processing Technology
  • Rubber Science and Technology
  • Sustainable Use of Materials

Department of Physics

MSc Quantum Information and Computing
MSc Nanoscience
MSc Science of the Internet
MSc Astrophysics and Cosmology
MSc Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
MSc Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
MSc Surface Physics
MSc Materials Physics and Applications
MSc Quantum Structures and Phase Transitions
MSc Psychophysics

All of the above programmes  have the same selection of the following optional modules:

  • Modern Magnetism
  • Cosmology
  • Superconductivity " Colossal Magnetoresistance Materials
  • Internet and other complex networks in nature and science
  • Psychophysics

Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

MSc Mechanical Engineering

There are no Optional Modules for this programme.  As all modules are compulsory we will be informing ATAS of them and you therefore do not need to take any action.

 

March 2012