Who can apply?
If you are a non‑EEA student studying a Master’s or Doctorate‑level course, and your course appears on the ATAS website, you must apply for and receive an ATAS certificate. This also applies if you transfer to MEng or MPhys (Physics). You must have ATAS approval before starting or transferring to the new course.
Students from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, or the United States do not need ATAS.
All students with a time‑limited visa (including Refugee Leave, Discretionary Leave, Student Visa, or Standard Visitor for study) must have valid ATAS before they can repeat a year or transfer to another course.
When to apply
Apply for your certificate at least 4 months before your visa is due to expire or before you wish to transfer course - you cannot extend your visa or transfer course until you have received your certificate.
How to apply
Follow the instructions on the ATAS website.
Applications are made online and are free of charge. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) aim to process your application within six weeks of receiving it, but it can take longer, especially during busy periods.
Current students
All students who require an ATAS certificate to study their chosen course must apply for a new ATAS Clearance Certificate within 28 calendar days of the change, regardless of when their visa expires if:
- they change primary supervisor
- any of their course details change
- the course end date is postponed for a period of 3 months or more. Contact the ATAS team for further guidance ATAS@fcdo.gov.uk
- their financial sponsor or conditions for financial sponsorship changes at any time during their study or research
For information please see the Appendix ATAS on the Home Office website.