The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate is issued by the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and is required clearance prior to a student or researcher being granted certain kinds of visas to work in 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 is a separate document which is be required in order to receive several kinds of UK visa (including Student visas and the Skilled Worker visa) if the subject area in question is one considered sensitive (determined by CAH3 code) - unless the applicant is a national of a specified list of exempt countries. 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.

The UK Government provides a guidance tool which uses the CAH3 code of your course or research, along with your country of nationality, to advise as to whether an ATAS certificate will be needed.

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 researchcompliance@warwick.ac.uk.