ATAS Application Instructions

Applicants who are holding an offer for Chemical Engineering and require a Tier 4 visa to study in the

UK are required to obtain an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) certificate in order to

make a valid application for a visa or extension of stay.

We believe that you fit the above conditions and therefore are required to apply for an ATAS

certificate. You can apply for an ATAS certificate up to 6 months in advance of the beginning of your

course and we strongly recommend that you submit your application at your earliest convenience.

Please note that if you require an ATAS certificate you will need to apply for this before applying for

your visa or extension of stay. The possession of an ATAS certificate does not guarantee you a visa or

extension of stay. However, applications will automatically be refused if you need an ATAS

certificate and cannot provide one.

You will require ATAS clearance and a Tier 4 visa before starting your course.

To apply online for an ATAS certificate, go to the Academic Technology Approval Scheme registration

page of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website. You will need the following

information:

Your offer letter from the College which should include your course (Chemical Engineering

via Engineering or Chemical Engineering via Natural Sciences) and the correct JACS code

(H810 for Chemical Engineering via Engineering; H813 for Chemical Engineering via Natural

Sciences). You must ensure that the text you enter on your ATAS application is exactly the

same as the text on your offer letter. If the two documents do not match, it is likely that

you will have difficulties when applying for your visa or extension of stay

The research statement outlining the subjects you could cover on the course, which has

been provided with these instructions

Your contact details

Your passport details

Name and nationality of your spouse/partner (if applicable) Full details of all previous studies

Full details of any previous and current employment

Previous ATAS applications

Full names and contact details of 2 referees (first name(s) and family name). You must have known both of your referees for at least three years. At least one of these must be an academic from your country of origin

How you will be funding your studies

The application for an ATAS certificate is free and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The

Foreign and Commonwealth Office currently aims to process all ATAS applications within 20 working

days. You will be sent an initial email acknowledging your application and a further email, within 4

weeks, with the result of your application, including an ATAS clearance certificate, if approved.

Please note that if you do not make a complete application, and the FCO request further details,

your application will take a further 20 working days.

If you have technical problems while submitting your ATAS application, please try a different

browser the FCO advises that the ATAS website works best in Internet Explorer. If difficulties

persist, or you require any additional assistance from the University, please contact

AtasHelp@admin.cam.ac.uk.

Further information regarding applying for an ATAS certificate can be found on the ATAS section of

the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.

Deferred Entry Applicants

If you applied in the 2013 admissions cycle, but deferred your entry to the University until 2014, you

will need to apply for an ATAS certificate this year, as outlined above. This is the case even if you

gained clearance last year, as the certificate is only valid for 6 months.

If you have applied in the 2014 admissions cycle, but have deferred your entry to the University until

2015, you do not need to apply for an ATAS clearance until this time next year, as the certificate is

only valid for 6 months.