What is ATAS Certificate? why and when it is required?

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

ATAS is a certificate issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to the applicant for security clearance to study and knowledge gained in the development or delivery of weapons of mass destruction. (e.g. certain science subjects, mathematics, engineering, technology or medicine).
Please find the link : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-out-if-you-require-an-atas-certificate#when-you-need-an-atas-certificate
 

ATAS clearance is required:

• As part of the Student visa application
• As part of Visitor visa application
• To register on your course where you have limited leave to remain/immigration status (this applies to almost all visa categories)

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) is applicable for international students who wish to study certain 'sensitive' subjects in the UK like subjects related to either in developing weapons of mass destruction or their delivery.

There are number of course for which ATAS certificate is required. If you need ATAS certificate or not depends on the course and the university you have applied. It is advisable to check with the university website.

Since ATAS certificate is sensitive in nature, so you must obtain ATAS certificate before applying for VISA. Failure to furnish ATAS certificate will be the reason of your visa refusal. ATAS certificate is valid for 6 months, so make sure your ATAS certificate should be valid when you apply for Visa.

The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) applies to all international (apart from exempt nationalities) who are intending to study or research at the postgraduate level in certain sensitive subjects.

The subjects and research areas are those where knowledge could be used in programs to develop Advanced Conventional Military Technology (ACMT), weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) or their means of delivery. Researchers and students in these sensitive subjects must apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before they can study or start research in the UK