Foreign & Commonwealth Office

ACADEMIC TECHNOLOGY APPROVAL SCHEME (ATAS)

On 1 November 2007 the UK government will introduce the Academic Technology

Approval Scheme (ATAS). Having an ATAS clearance certificate will be a mandatory

requirement for some postgraduate students who need an Entry Clearance to study in the UK. You can access the ATAS online application form from 3 September 2007.

This will affect you if:

• You plan to undertake postgraduate research in science, engineering or technology

disciplines

OR

• You are applying for a taught Masters in Materials Science or Technology, Aerospace

Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Physics (including Nuclear Physics).

IF YOU NEED AN ATAS CERTIFICATE AND YOU DON’T HAVE ONE YOUR

ENTRY CLEARANCE APPLICATION WILL BE REFUSED.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK IF THIS SCHEME APPLIES TO YOU.

You DO NOT need an ATAS certificate if:

• You are a UK or EEA (including Switzerland) national

• You are an undergraduate student

You DO need an ATAS certificate if:

• You wish to study at a UK University or Higher Education Institution and the exit

qualification will be a Doctorate / Masters degree by research or in one of the five

taught Master degree areas (see above) AND

• You require a student Entry Clearance or Visa to study in the UK AND

• You wish to study within certain subject areas (a detailed list is shown on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website).

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT www.fco.gov.uk, INCLUDING THE

ATAS APPLICATION FORM (ON THE COUNTER-PROLIFERATION PAGE).

[From the FCO Home Page you should click on the ‘International Priorities’ link on the left-hand side. Then click ‘Counter-Proliferation’.]

From September, you will also be able to contact the following places for help and advice:

• The University(s) or Higher Education Institution(s) to which you are applying

• UKVisas (www.ukvisas.gov.uk)

• British Council (www.britishcouncil.org)

• UK Embassies overseas (www.fco.gov.uk)