Do I need to apply for ATAS clearance?

Ok so you have applied for a place at a UK (United Kingdom) university and been given an offer.  It's an exciting time.  You can begin to plan your future, buy materials needed for your course and look for student accommodation, but wait, there's one thing you might need to consider...do you need ATAS clearance?

Let's look at some points to see if you will need to apply for ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance.

Are you applying for an undergraduate course which will lead to an undergraduate qualification when you graduate ie. Bachelor degree (B.A, B.Sc, B.Eng etc)?

If YES then you DO NOT require ATAS clearance.

Are you a UK, EEA or Swiss National applying to study a postgraduate (or an undergraduate course leading to a postgraduate qualification such as an M.Eng or M.Sci) in the United Kingdom?

If YES then you DO NOT require ATAS clearance.

Are you an International applicant applying to study a postgraduate course (or an undergraduate course leading to a postgraduate qualification such as an M.Eng or M.Sci) in the United Kingdom?

If YES, then you MAY require ATAS clearance.

First let's look at what is an International applicant.

An International applicant is someone applying from a non-EEA country. 

What does EEA mean and what is an EEA country?

EEA stands for European Economic Area.  If you are a citizen from an EEA country, you will not require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK (United Kingdom) and therefore will not be required to apply for ATAS clearance.

Here is a list of EEA countries:

1. Austria

2. Belgium

3. Bulgaria

4. Cyprus

5. Czech Republic

6. Denmark

7. Estonia

8. Finland

9. France

10. Germany

11. Greece

12. Hungary

13. Iceland

14. Republic of Ireland

15. Italy

16. Latvia

17. Liechenstein

18. Lithuania

19. Luxembourg

20. Malta

21. The Netherlands

22. Norway

23. Poland

24. Portugal

25. Romania

26. Slovakia

27. Slovenia

28. Spain

29. Sweden

30. United Kingdom

31. PLUS SWITZERLAND.  While Switzerland is not in the EEA, Swiss Nationals have the same rights as EEA nationals and therefore DO NOT require ATAS clearance.

Any other country is considered International and therefore if you apply to study in the UK, you will need a Tier 4 visa and may need ATAS clearance.

Further information can be found at the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office's) website at

www.fco.gov.uk/atas

So we have established the following:

1. You are an International applicant

2. You are going to study a postgraduate course or an undergraduate course which leads to a postgraduate qualification

If you say YES to the above two points, you may need to apply for ATAS clearance.

So what else needs to be considered.

You need to look at the JACS code of your chosen course.

What is a JACS code?

A JACS code is a course code.  It is a code set by the University.  

Where will I find my JACS code?

You will find your JACS code on your offer letter. 

If you have a JACS code that appears on the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office's) list on their website, you will to apply for ATAS clearance - www.fco.gov.uk/atas