Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

A new scheme called the ‘Academic Technology Approval Scheme’ (ATAS) was introduced by the UK Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on 1st November 2007.

ATAS replaces the ‘Voluntary Vetting Scheme’ which was aimed at protecting the UK and its research resources and facilities from being used in the furtherance of terrorism or the pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.

ATAS is aimed primarily at specific postgraduate research areas, but in some science and engineering disciplines also includes a number of taught masters and even the final two years of four-year undergraduate masters programmes.

For further information please see our International Office website or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Website

As a School all our non-EU/EEA (including Switzerland) nationals planning to undertake postgraduate study EngD MPhil/PhD in the UK are required to acquire an ATAS certificate before they can apply for a Visa, Entry Clearance (EC) or Extension of Stay (EoS).

All subject areas studied at UK Universities and Higher Education Institutions are identified by a JACS code. The ECS Postgraduate Admissions Office will advise you of the JACS code for the area in which you wish to research, we shall also provide you with a paragraph describing the research to be undertaken. This can then be used when applying for your ATAS certificate. Further details on how to apply for your ATAS certificate can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Website.