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Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

If you're an international applicant looking to study certain areas of science, engineering or technology, you may need to obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before you can apply for a Student visa.

ATAS certificates are issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). They provide clearance to international offer holders of selected nationalities who:

  • Require a visa to study in the UK
  • Intend to study or research subjects where the knowledge gained could be used to help develop or deliver weapons of mass destruction.

It’s your responsibility to apply for an ATAS certificate if this is required for your intended course.

Where an ATAS certificate is required, this is mandatory. We won't be able to issue your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) statement and your Student visa application will be unsuccessful without it.

You'll require a new ATAS certificate for each visa application you make, so if you need to extend your Student visa, or obtain a new one at a later date, you'll need a new ATAS certificate.

Do I need ATAS?

Select your intended level of study to see which of our courses or research areas currently require an ATAS certificate. This list is subject to change. If you need to apply for an ATAS certificate, you'll be notified of this in your offer letter. 

Undergraduate degrees

You'll need an ATAS certificate if all of the following apply:

  • You're holding the offer of a place you've accepted, or intend to accept, on one of the following undergraduate degrees:
    • Aerospace Engineering MEng
    • Aerospace Engineering with a Year in Industry MEng
    • Aerospace Engineering with Pilot Studies MEng
    • Aerospace Engineering with Pilot Studies with a Year in Industry MEng
    • Avionic Systems MEng
    • Avionic Systems with a Year Abroad MEng
    • Mechanical Engineering MEng 
    • Mechanical Engineering with a Year in Industry MEng
    • Mathematical Physics MMath
    • Mathematical Physics with a Year Abroad MMath
    • Theoretical Physics MPhys
    • Theoretical Physics with a Year Abroad MPhys
    • Physics MPhys
    • Physics with a Year Abroad MPhys.
  • You require a Student visa
  • You're not from an exempt country.

You'll also need an ATAS certificate if you want to transfer from an undergraduate degree without ATAS requirements to a course where ATAS clearance is required. 

The deadline to apply for any of our undergraduate degrees which require ATAS clearance is usually 14 July. Some courses may close to applications before this date if all available places have been filled.

Master's courses

You'll need an ATAS certificate if all of the following apply:

  • You're holding the offer of a place you've accepted, or intend to accept, on one of the following master's degrees:
    • Advanced Aerospace Engineering MSc (Eng)
    • Advanced Mechanical Engineering MSc (Eng)
    • Mechanical Engineering Design with Management MSc
    • Mechanical Engineering with Management MSc
    • Nuclear Science and Technology MSc
    • Radiometrics: Instrumentation and Modelling MSc.
  • You require a Student visa
  • You're not from an exempt country.

You'll also need an ATAS certificate if you want to transfer from a master's course without ATAS requirements to a programme where ATAS clearance is required. 

The deadline to apply for any of our master's courses which require ATAS clearance is usually 14 July. Some courses may close to applications before this date if all available places have been filled.

Postgraduate research degrees

You may need an ATAS certificate if all of the following apply:

  • You're holding the offer of a place you've accepted, or intend to accept, to undertake postgraduate research in one of the following subject areas:
    • Biological sciences
    • Computer sciences
    • Engineering
    • Mathematical sciences
    • Medicine
    • Physical sciences
    • Technology disciplines
    • Veterinary sciences, agriculture and related subjects
  • You require a Student visa
  • You're not from an exempt country.

You won't need an ATAS certificate if you're a national of one of the following countries:

  • UK
  • All EU countries
  • Iceland
  • Liechtenstein
  • Norway
  • Switzerland
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Japan
  • New Zealand
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • USA

Further guidance about whether you'll need an ATAS certificate is available on GOV.UK.

How to apply for an ATAS certificate

If you wish to accept your offer of a place, you can apply for an ATAS certificate as soon as you receive your offer letter. If you receive a conditional offer, you don't need to wait until your offer becomes unconditional.

Applications for ATAS clearance are made online via the ATAS website and are free of charge. Detailed guidance on how to complete the online application form is available on GOV.UK.

Apply for an ATAS certificate

If your course falls under the ATAS scheme, you'll receive an ATAS statement with your offer letter containing what's known as the Common Aggregation Hierarchy (CAH3) code for the programme. You'll need to supply this code as part of your ATAS application.

Once you've submitted your ATAS application, it can take around six weeks to receive details of the outcome. If your application is successful, you'll receive your ATAS certificate by email. The ATAS certificate is valid for six months and must be valid when you apply for your Student visa.

Changing your course

Your ATAS certificate is issued for a specific course at a named university.

If you extend your course by more than 3 months, change your intended course or research topic, or decide to study at a different university, you'll need to apply for a new ATAS certificate (if ATAS clearance is required).

Further information

If you have any queries or want advice about ATAS, please email atas@liverpool.ac.uk and our international admissions team will be happy to assist you.