All subject areas studied at UK Universities and Higher Education Institutions are identified by a JACS code. Your University will advise you of the JACS code for the area you wish to research. If you wish to study subjects with the following JACS codes, you will need an ATAS certificate.
For example, a student planning to study for a PhD in Mathematical Modelling (JACS Code G150) would need an ATAS certificate because the code starts G1. A student planning to study for a PhD in Business and Commercial Law (JACS code M221), on the other hand, would not need an ATAS certificate as M2 is not one of the listed codes.
If the exit qualification will be a Doctorate or Masters by Research (MRes, MPhil etc but not MEng, MPharm, MSci):
Subjects allied to Medicine:
JACS codes beginning:
- B1 – Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology
- B2 – Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy
- B9 – Others in Subjects allied to Medicine
Biological Sciences:
JACS codes beginning:
- C1 – Biology
- C2 – Botany
- C4 – Genetics
- C5 – Microbiology
- C7 – Molecular Biology, Biophysics and Biochemistry
- C9 – Others in Biological Sciences
Veterinary Sciences, Agriculture and related subjects:
JACS codes beginning:
- D3 – Animal Science
- D9 – Others in Veterinary Sciences, Agriculture and related subjects
Physical Sciences
JACS codes beginning:
- F1 – Chemistry
- F2 – Materials Science
- F3 – Physics
- F5 – Astronomy
- F8 – Physical and Terrestrial Geographical and Environmental Sciences
- F9 – Others in Physical Sciences
Mathematical and Computer Sciences
JACS codes beginning:
- G1 – Mathematics
- G2 – Operational Research
- G4 – Computer Science
- G7 – Artificial Intelligence
- G9 – Others in Mathematical and Computing Sciences
Engineering
JACS codes beginning:
- H1 – General Engineering
- H2 – Civil Engineering
- H3 – Mechanical Engineering
- H4 – Aerospace Engineering
- H5 – Naval Architecture
- H6 – Electronic and Electrical Engineering
- H7 – Production and Manufacturing Engineering
- H8 – Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering
- H9 – Others in Engineering
Technologies
JACS codes beginning:
- J2 – Metallurgy
- J4 – Polymers and Textiles
- J5 – Materials Technology not otherwise specified
- J7 – Industrial Biotechnology
- J9 – Others in Technology
Subjects included for Taught Masters as well as Doctorate and Masters degrees by research (but not MEng. MPharm, Msci):
- F2 – Materials Science
- F3 – Physics (including Nuclear Physics)
- H3 – Mechanical Engineering
- H4 – Aerospace Engineering
- J5 – Materials Technology not otherwise specified
If you would like more information, please see our Frequently Asked Questions section.
