A student from overseas will be coming to study MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering. This is a programme that requires ATAS clearance so the student should obtain that prior to being given an unconditional offer to study and a Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the University. The CAS should be used when applying for a UK visa and travelling to the UK. Most of the subject matter is likely to be in the 'public domain', therefore the transfer of ‘Technology’ would be exempt from export controls. In the case of individual projects for taught masters it is unlikely that export controls apply. This is because the work generated would generally not meet the full definition of sensitive Technology, or the basic scientific exemption could be applied.
However, if the research project which is carried out is more advanced or the student in question was taking a PhD level programme and deals with Items not in the public domain an export control licence could be required. Research may be able to use the ‘basic scientific research’ exemption. The use of this exemption is limited by the definition of what is intended by ‘basic scientific research’. To qualify for this exemption any Technology generated by the research for basic scientific research purposes must:
- be solely to add to the sum of human knowledge
- not be aimed at a specific (short-term) practical aim
- not address a specific technical problem
Consideration should also be given to where the student is when receiving supervision, for example if overseas for data collection and supervision is given remotely regarding Items which can not rely on an exemption, then an export control licence is needed.
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