ATAS certificates
ATAS is a UK government scheme for international students who plan to study certain subjects in the UK. The ATAS certificate must state the institution where you plan to study and any course units you might take.
Who should apply for an ATAS certificate
If you are an international student applying for certain undergraduate master's or postgraduate subjects, you may need to apply for an ATAS certificate before you can apply for your visa.
You will need to do this whether you are already in the UK or are in another country when you make the visa application. You must include a copy of your ATAS certificate with your visa application or the visa will be refused.
If you are already studying in the UK on a Student visa, you may need an ATAS certificate if you change your course or any units, or if your course end date is extended by more than three months.
You also need to apply for ATAS clearance if you are coming on a course or a period of research of less than six months in eligible subjects. You will need to provide the ATAS certificate as part of your Standard Visitor visa application, or at the border if you are a non visa national asking for permission to enter the UK on arrival.
If you’re in the process of applying for asylum in the UK, you must apply for an ATAS certificate to study in the UK if you will be studying a course that requires ATAS clearance.
All other time-limited visas need an ATAS certificate if you are studying for an ATAS-relevant qualification in the UK.
Undergraduate Master's Students
You must apply for an ATAS certificate if you need a visa to study in the UK as an undergraduate student and have an offer to study:
- MEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering
- MEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering with professional placement
- MEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering with Environmental Engineering
- MEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering with Environmental Engineering with professional placement
- MEng (Hons) Integrated Mechanical & Electrical Engineering
- MEng (Hons) Integrated Mechanical & Electrical Engineering with professional placement
- MEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering
- MEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering with professional placement
- MEng (Hons) Integrated Design Engineering
- MEng (Hons) Integrated Design Engineering with professional placement
- MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering
- MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering with professional placement
- MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management
- MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management with professional placement
- MEng (Hons) Mechanical with Automotive Engineering
- MEng (Hons) Mechanical with Automotive Engineering with professional placement
- MPhys (Hons) Physics
- MPhys (Hons) Physics with research placement
- MPhys (Hons) Physics with professional placement, research placement or study abroad
- MPhys (Hons) Physics with Astrophysics
- MPhys (Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with research placement
- MPhys (Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with professional placement, research placement or study abroad
- MPhys (Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics
- MPhys (Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with research placement
- MPhys (Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with professional placement, research placement or study abroad
- MSci (Hons) Mathematics and Physics
- MSci (Hons) Mathematics and Physics with professional placement or study abroad
Taught Postgraduate Students
You must apply for an ATAS certificate if you need a visa to study in the UK as a postgraduate student and have an offer to study:
- MSc Environmental Engineering (full-time)
- MSc Environmental Engineering with 5 week pre-sessional English (full-time)
- MSc Environmental Engineering with 10 week pre-sessional English (full-time)
- MSc Engineering Business Management (full-time)
- MSc Engineering Business Management with 10 week pre-sessional English (full-time)
- MSc Engineering Business Management with 5 week pre-sessional English (full-time)
- MSc Engineering Business Management (online learning)
- MSc Innovation and Technology Management (full-time)
- MSc Innovation and Technology Management with 5 week pre-sessional English (full-time)
- MSc Innovation and Technology Management with 10 week pre-sessional English (full-time)
- MSc Decarbonisation (full-time)
- MSc Decarbonisation with 5 week pre-sessional English (full-time)
- MSc Decarbonisation with 10 week pre-sessional English (full-time)
- MSc Decarbonisation (part-time)
Doctoral Students
You must apply for an ATAS certificate if you require a visa to study in the UK and have an offer for a full-time doctoral course in one of the following faculties:
- Faculty of Science (excluding Statistics)
- Faculty of Engineering and Design (excluding Architecture)
You will also need to apply for a new ATAS certificate if:
- there are any substantial changes to the course content (or research proposal)
- you are studying a research PhD course and there are major changes to the areas of research or the use of any new research technique
- you apply for an extension of leave in order to continue on your course
Students on a Standard Visitor Visa
You must apply for an ATAS certificate if you require a Standard Visitor visa to study in the UK or if you are a non visa national asking for permission to enter the UK, and will be studying in one of the following faculties:
- Faculty of Science (excluding Statistics)
- Faculty of Engineering and Design (excluding Architecture)
Please note, you will need a new ATAS certificate every time you make a Standard Visitor visa application.
Who should not apply for an ATAS certificate
You do not need an ATAS certificate if:
- you are a UK, EU, EEA or Swiss national, or a national of the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, United States of America
- you are applying for an undergraduate course that does not lead to a master's degree
- you have indefinite leave to remain in the UK
When to apply for an ATAS certificate
Student visa applicants
If we offer you a place to study and you need an ATAS certificate, we will contact you through Bath Application Tracker and give you the information you need to complete the application process.
You should apply for your ATAS certificate as soon as we contact you because you will need it to apply for your visa. It usually takes at least six weeks for applications to be processed, but it may take longer in the summer. You can use your ATAS certificate to apply for your visa for six months from the date it is issued.
If you are already studying in the UK and need to make a new visa application, you will need a new ATAS certificate.
Standard Visitor visa applicants
If we offer you a place to study and you need an ATAS certificate, the Doctoral College will contact you and give you the information you need to complete the application process.
You should apply for your ATAS certificate as soon as we contact you because you will need it to apply for your visa. It usually takes at least six weeks for applications to be processed, but it may take longer in the summer. An ATAS certificate is valid for six months from the date it is issued.
How to apply for an ATAS certificate
If we confirm that you need an ATAS certificate, you can apply for it through the UK government website.
You will need to provide details of two referees who you have known for three years or more. These should be academic contacts from your studies at home. Consult an adviser if you do not think you have any referees based overseas - it may be possible to use one based in the UK.
Full details of the scheme can be found on the UK government website.
Undergraduate master's and taught postgraduate students
If you are studying an undergraduate master's or a taught postgraduate course, we will send you a list of units applicable to your course. You must include the full list of units in your ATAS application.
Doctoral students
If you are a doctoral student, you must include your research abstract or the list of your modules if your first year comprises of taught modules, when you apply for your ATAS certificate.
If you are a visiting research scholar, you must include your research abstract when you apply for your ATAS certificate.
This information must be accurate, so please contact the Doctoral College if you do not have your official research abstract or list of taught modules.