Find out if you need Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance to study the course you’ve applied for.
What is ATAS?
ATAS is a scheme run by the UK Government. It requires international students looking to study certain sensitive technology-based subjects to apply for an ATAS certificate before they apply for their visa.
This relates to new students coming to Sussex and existing students.
Do I need ATAS clearance?
You need to apply for ATAS clearance if you are applying for a science or engineering-based course (see list of courses below) – unless you are from an exempt country in the government appendix.
Use the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office website to find out if you need an ATAS clearance certificate.
Important: ATAS requirements apply to all visas. The exception is if you have Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK.
Courses that require ATAS clearance at Sussex
Certain science or engineering-based courses require you to apply for an ATAS certificate. See the list of courses below, including their relevant HECoS codes (which you will need to include as part of your application).
Visting students
If you’re applying for a visit visa to study a short course, or attend as a visiting research student, we can’t issue a sponsor letter without ATAS clearance.
Your admissions department will advise you on whether ATAS clearance is required.
How to apply for ATAS clearance
Find out how to apply for ATAS clearance when you apply to study with us.
Important: ATAS applications are processed by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which is a UK government agency. Applications for ATAS clearance certificates are processed in date order – there is no fast track service. We are unable to speed up or make amendments to your ATAS application.
If you have questions about your ATAS application, contact the ATAS team directly at ATAS@fcdo.gov.uk.
Undergraduate and Masters applicants
If you need ATAS clearance, this will be detailed in your offer letter.
You must apply online for a clearance certificate through ATAS before you apply for a visa. The ATAS application is free of charge and applications usually take at least 20 working days to process.
As part of the application you need to provide the relevant HECoS code and information about the structure of your course.
- You can find the relevant HECoS code for your course above.
- Information about the structure of your course can be found on the relevant course page. You’ll need to include the link to your course when prompted in your application.
PhD applicants
If you need ATAS clearance, you will be provided with an ATAS statement which includes the research project description you must use in your ATAS application. You will also need to provide the relevant HECoS code for your course, which you can find above.
You must apply online for a clearance certificate through ATAS before you apply for a visa. The ATAS application is free of charge and applications usually take at least 20 working days to process.
When to apply
You can apply for ATAS after you receive an offer from us, and up to nine months before your course start date.
If you need a student visa, we can’t issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to you without proof of ATAS clearance.
If you’re applying for a visit visa to study a short course, we can’t issue a sponsor letter without ATAS clearance.
In both cases, we need ATAS clearance directly from the government before you can make a student visa application.
See more information about applying for ATAS clearance from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
If your ATAS application is successful you will be issued an ATAS certificate. This will be valid for six months from the date of issue.
If your ATAS application is refused
If your ATAS application is refused, we won't be able to issue you a CAS to apply for a Student visa or proceed with your offer on the proposed course.
The government will not provide a full reason for refusal, so we will be unable to overturn the decision.
You may be able to request a review – you should have received information on how to do this in your refusal notice. We can't tell you what to write in your review request, but make sure you address any omissions there may have been from your original application.
You may be able to ask for a support statement from your supervisor: we can't tell them what to write for this. If they feel your research couldn't be used for the purposes ATAS aims to prevent, they could explain why.
You'll only be able to submit a new application for the same course 90 days after the date of the email from FCDO notifying you of the refusal.
You can contact our International Advice team if you have any questions.
Current students applying for ATAS clearance
If you’re already studying at Sussex, you will need ATAS clearance within 28 days if you’re:
- changing your course of study
- changing your research area or primary supervisor
- extending your course or re-sitting an exam
- returning to Sussex after taking a break from your studies
- applying to extend your student visa.
You’ll be advised on your individual case.
If you don’t do this, you’ll breach your immigration conditions.
Important: You may be withdrawn from your course if you are a current student who is refused ATAS clearance.
Contact our International Advice team for more information or see more about changes to your studies.