Academic Technology Approval Scheme, also known as the ATAS, is a certificate required for postgraduate study in particular sensitive fields in UK. Academic Technology Approval Scheme or the ATAS is only valid for students who are not citizens of Switzerland or the European Economic Area. If the course you are enrolling in demands one, the ATAS certificate is a requirement for obtaining the General Student Visa (Tier 4).
Due to the sensitive nature of ATAS eligible courses, UK immigration legislation mandates that students give the visa officials the specifics of their ATAS certificate UK.
In this blog, we will discuss the requirement of the ATAS application form and how to apply for the ATAS application UK.
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What is ATAS Certificate?
ATAS meaning lies behind the ATAS full form, the “Academic Technology Approval Scheme.” All international students whose admission to the UK is subject to UK immigration control and who intend to study certain "delicate" courses there are subject to the ATAS. These "delicate" topics deal with creating or delivering weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The program mandates that these students obtain their ATAS credentials.
Most postgraduate/research students who enroll in certain courses in the domains of science, engineering, and technology, as well as undergraduate students who take integrated master's courses, need this certificate.
Students whose nationality is outside the EEA and Switzerland and who have chosen ATAS eligible courses must complete ATAS.
This program was put in place by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office to prevent the dissemination of information used to create WMD. The ATAS certificate is crucial in the process of issuing visas. While processing your visa application, the Entry Clearance Officer will ask you for an ATAS certificate. You will not be granted a UK student visa if you do not present your ATAS certificate.
What Courses Require an ATAS Certificate to Study in the UK?
Depending on the degree and university you have applied to, an ATAS certificate may or may not be required. Courses that are ATAS-compliant can differ from university to university. Consequently, you should get in touch with your chosen university to find out if you need an ATAS certificate for your degree. Additionally, colleges frequently notify applicants by letter well in advance of the need for an ATAS clearance.
The following courses require an ATAS certificate for enrolment. The courses start with these JACS codes:
|
Course |
Subject Code |
Subject Detail |
|
Medicine |
B1 |
Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology |
|
B2 |
Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy |
|
|
B9 |
Others in subjects allied to medicine and biological sciences |
|
|
C1 |
Biology |
|
|
C2 |
Botany |
|
|
C4 |
Genetics |
|
|
C5 |
Microbiology |
|
|
C7 |
Molecular Biology, Biophysics, and Biochemistry |
|
|
C9 |
Others in biological sciences |
|
|
Physical Sciences |
F1 |
Chemistry |
|
F2 |
Materials Science |
|
|
F3 |
Physics |
|
|
F5 |
Astronomy |
|
|
F8 |
Physical Geographical Sciences |
|
|
F9 |
Others in physical sciences |
|
|
Veterinary Sciences, Agricultural, etc. |
D3 |
Animal Science |
|
D9 |
Others in veterinary sciences, agriculture, and related subjects |
|
|
Mathematical and Computer Sciences |
G0 |
Mathematical and Computer Sciences |
|
G1 |
Mathematics |
|
|
G2 |
Operational Research |
|
|
G4 |
Computer Science |
|
|
G7 |
Artificial Intelligence |
|
|
G9 |
Others in mathematical and computing sciences |
|
|
Engineering |
H1 |
General Engineering |
|
H2 |
Civil Engineering |
|
|
H3 |
Mechanical Engineering |
|
|
H4 |
Aerospace Engineering |
|
|
H5 |
Naval Engineering |
|
|
H6 |
Electronic and Electronic Engineering |
|
|
H7 |
Production and Manufacturing Engineering |
|
|
H8 |
Chemical, Process, and Energy Engineering |
|
|
H9 |
Others in engineering |
|
|
Technologies |
J2 |
Metallurgy |
|
J4 |
Polymers and Textiles |
|
|
J5 |
Materials Technology not otherwise specified |
|
|
J7 |
Industrial Biotechnology |
|
|
J9 |
Others in Technology |
|
|
Computer Sciences |
I1 |
Computer Science |
|
I4 |
Artificial Intelligence |
|
|
I9 |
Others in Computer Science |
Best Courses to Study in UK 2022
For undergraduate students, an ATAS clearance is typically required for courses leading to a master's degree, such as M.Phys or MEng. Now, let us go through the ATAS application process:
How to Apply for ATAS Certificate UK?
If submitting an ATAS certificate is required, you must apply for the certificate before requesting a visa or a visa renewal. An ATAS certificate will be issued in a minimum of 20 working days. You will need the following to apply for an ATAS certificate online:
- Complete information about your prior education.
- Complete information about your current and past job (if applicable).
- Complete details of papers published (if applicable).
- Applications for ATAS in the past (if applicable).
- Optional courses you plan to enroll in within a taught Master’s program.
- Your research field and a brief description (for a research degree).
- Complete names and contact information for two references
- On how you plan to pay for your education.
If you are wondering about the ATAS certificate cost and need multiple ATAS certificates for various universities to which you have applied, then there is nothing to worry about, as the ATAS certificate is free of charge.
Want to Study Bachelors in UK?
The information about the course you are enrolled in, and the university or college you have applied to for approval will be mentioned on the ATAS certificate. You will thus require different ATAS certificates for each of the courses/universities you have applied to if you have applied to more than one course or university.
An essential component of the application process for an ATAS UK visa is meeting the UK ATAS prerequisites for specified courses. Join Yocket Premium today to connect with a counselor for any additional questions!
Frequently Asked Questions About the ATAS Certificate UK
Ques. Is acquiring an ATAS certificate a necessity for UK universities?
Ans. If the university/course you are applying to requires one, then yes.
Ques. Is an ATAS certificate only required for postgraduate courses?
Ans. Yes, an ATAS certificate is required from foreign researchers and students seeking admission to postgraduate programs in the United Kingdom
Ques. Why are students required to submit an ATAS certificate?
Ans. ATAS certificate is required to prevent the dissemination of information used to create Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Ques. What is the cost of acquiring an ATAS certificate?
Ans. None, it is free of cost.
Ques. Is every international student required to present the ATAS certificate?
Ans. Yes, all international students except students whose nationality is outside the EEA and Switzerland