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Academic Technology Approval Scheme
 
What is it?

 

It is a Government requirement that students studying or conducting research in certain Science and Engineering subject areas, obtain approval from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before they apply for Entry Clearance or an extension of their leave to remain.

 
Who needs to apply?
 
Only students enrolled on research based Masters, Phds or a select few taught Masters courses will need to gain approval. Whether or not you require approval depends upon the JACS code of your course. Students enrolled on courses that involve a mixture of research and taught modules should seek further advice about whether they need apply.  Students extending their visas to write up their thesis or re-sit an exam and whose current visa was granted before 30th November 2007 do not need to apply for ATAS approval.
 
You may be affected if you are enrolled or plan to enrol on a RESEARCH Masters or a Phd in one of the following schools:
 
School of Computing and Information technology
School of Applied Sciences
School Engineering and the Built Environment
School of Health
 

Before your visa expires you should obtain the JACS code of your course (available from the International Office or your Student Office), and compare it to the list below. If the JACS code of your course begins with the first letter and first number of the JACS codes listed, you must apply to ATAS for approval before you may extend your student visa.

 

Subjects allied to Medicine:
JACS codes beginning: 
  • B1 – Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology
  • B2 – Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy
  • B9 – Others in Subjects allied to Medicine
  •  
Biological Sciences:
JACS codes beginning:
  • C1 – Biology
  • C2 – Botany
  • C4 – Genetics
  • C5 – Microbiology
  • C7 – Molecular Biology, Biophysics and Biochemistry
  • C9 – Others in Biological Sciences
  •  
Veterinary Sciences, Agriculture and related subjects:
JACS codes beginning:
  • D3 – Animal Science
  • D9 – Others in Veterinary Sciences, Agriculture and related subjects
  •  
Physical Sciences
JACS codes beginning:
  • F1 – Chemistry
  • F2 – Materials Science
  • F3 – Physics
  • F5 – Astronomy
  • F8 – Physical and Terrestrial Geographical and Environmental Sciences
  • F9 – Others in Physical Sciences
  •  
Mathematical and Computer Sciences
JACS codes beginning:
  • G1 – Mathematics
  • G2 – Operational Research
  • G4 – Computer Science
  • G7 – Artificial Intelligence
  • G9 – Others in Mathematical and Computing Sciences
  •  
Engineering
JACS codes beginning:
  • H1 – General Engineering
  • H2 – Civil Engineering
  • H3 – Mechanical Engineering
  • H4 – Aerospace Engineering
  • H5 – Naval Architecture
  • H6 – Electronic and Electrical Engineering
  • H7 – Production and Manufacturing Engineering
  • H8 – Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering
  • H9 – Others in Engineering
  •  
Technologies
JACS codes beginning:
  • J2 – Metallurgy
  • J4 – Polymers and Textiles
  • J5 – Materials Technology not otherwise specified
  • J7 – Industrial Biotechnology
  • J9 – Others in Technology
 
 
If you are enrolled or plan to enrol on a taught masters ina science or engineering subject and your JACS code begins with the same first letter and first number as any of the codes on the following list, then you too must apply to ATAS.
 
  • F2 – Materials Science
  • F3 – Physics (including Nuclear Physics)
  • H3 – Mechanical Engineering
  • H4 – Aerospace Engineering
  • J5 – Materials Technology not otherwise specified
 
How do I apply?
 

There is an online application form on the Government FCO website. 

 

Approvals are expected to take approximately 10 days to process. A paper copy of the form can be obtained, see the above website for information about how.

 

To speed up completion of of the online application, make sure you have the following information to hand.

 

Name
 
Date of Birth
 
Student ID/Applicant Number
 
Programme
 
JACS code
 
Qualification
 
Length of Programme
 
Date of Entry
 
Method of Study (Research or Taught)
 
Registration (Full or Part time)
 

Proposed Area of Research (or full title of course if a taught masters)*

 

*You will be required to write a few lines about your proposed research so that the FCO can get as much information as possible.  Your award leader/research supervisor should prepare a letter with this information for you and you can it into your ATAS application. Later, include the letter with your visa extension application.
 

What Next?

 

Once you receive an ATAS certificate you must submit this with your visa extension/entry clearance application.

If you do not have time to obtain an ATAS certificate before your current visa expires then make your ATAS application and submit your visa application as normal, enclosing a covering letter explaining when you made your ATAS application and that you will forward the certificate as soon as you receive it. It is essential that you make your visa extension application before your current visa expires as it could be refused if it is late. 

 

For further information about the Academic and Technology Scheme, please refer to the government website www.fco.gov.uk. If you are a research student then the person responsible for research students in your school may be able to assist you further. 

 

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