Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) applies to all international students and researchers, apart from exempt nationalities, who are subject to UK immigration control and are intending to study or research at postgraduate level in certain sensitive subjects.

The subjects and research areas are those where knowledge could be used in programmes to develop Advanced Conventional Military Technology, weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery. Researchers and students in these sensitive subjects must apply for an ATAS certificate before they can study or start research in the UK.

UK immigration law does not allow universities to permit international students or researchers to study or undertake research in an ATAS applicable area until the student or researcher has provided the university or research institute with the correct ATAS certificate.

If we allow employment or a visit to begin without an ATAS certificate (if required) not only will the University and the employee/visitor will be breaking the law, but we could lose our licence to sponsor overseas employees, visitors and students.

Please note that the guidance provided, relates to researchers, academic staff undertaking research and visiting academic and research staff, not students.  Students should refer to the ATAS clearance guidance on our International Office’s webpage for further information.

Please refer to the boxes below for further information.