ATAS certificates

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) applies to all international students and researchers (apart from exempt nationalities) who are subject to UK immigration control and are intending to study or research at postgraduate level in certain sensitive subjects.

Do you need an ATAS certificate?

You will need an ATAS certificate if you have an offer to study, or are extending your visa, for a PhD or Masters level programme in a subject or research area where knowledge could be used in programmes to develop Advanced Conventional Military Technology (ACMT), weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) or their means of delivery. If you are a researcher or student in these sensitive subjects you must apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before you can study or start research in the UK.

To check if you need an ATAS certificate you will need to know the CAH3 code that applies to your course or research. You can find this in the spreadsheet below. Once you have your course CAH3 code, you can check if you need an ATAS certificate on the government website.

Check if you need an ATAS certificate

ATAS exemptions

If you are a UK or EU national, or a national of the European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the United States of America, you do not need an ATAS certificate.

Researchers and students of all other nationalities must apply for an ATAS certificate. You must apply if you are undertaking a postgraduate course or research in certain sensitive subjects in the UK. If you are applying to study an undergraduate course with an integrated masters year you may also need ATAS clearance.

You do not need an ATAS certificate if you’re doing a postgraduate diploma or PGCE. You should continue with your application for permission to stay in the UK as necessary.

How to apply

Before you submit an application for an ATAS certificate you will need an offer from Coventry University as it contains information needed to be granted a certificate.

When you have your offer letter please go to the ATAS website where you will be able to apply online.

Please ensure that the text you enter on your application form is exactly the same as the text provided in your offer letter. If these two documents do not match, you may have difficulties when applying for your visa or extension of stay.

Apply for an ATAS certificate

For any queries regarding a postgraduate research programme, please visit the Doctoral College webpage or contact the Research Admissions team at research.admissions@coventry.ac.uk.