The Academic Technology Scheme (ATAS) certificate is issued by the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) which gives students clearance to study certain subject areas in the UK, where knowledge could be used in programmes to develop Advanced Conventional Military Technology (ACMT), weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) or their means of delivery.

An ATAS certificate will be required as part of a student visa application if the course that the student is applying to attracts ATAS. An ATAS certificate is also required by any person holding any visa with limited leave in the UK, including a Standard Visitor visa. In such circumstances, ATAS may not be required to apply for the visa, but the ATAS clearance certificate will be required to study on the course.

Courses that require ATAS clearance for students in certain immigration categories have specific CAH3 codes, with this information being contained in SITS and on the Home Office ATAS webpage.

Support for Departments and Students with regards to ATAS is provided by the University’s Student Opportunity: Immigration and Compliance Team who can be contacted via immigrationservice@warwick.ac.uk.

ATAS clearance for an individual does not remove any requirement for an Export Control licence, where the technology is controlled and an export is taking place, or where there are end-user concerns. Where an Export Control check is required, the Postgraduate Admissions Team (Student Records team for current students who require a new ATAS certificate) will send a questionnaire to the student, who will be advised to seek the input of their supervisor when completing it.

Any questionnaires that indicate a particular student’s research may be controlled must be referred to R&IS via Export-Control@Warwick.ac.uk.