The University wishes to ensure that younger students will be able to benefit from their studies in an environment with which the student and the student’s family feel comfortable. For more information, please read the policy below.
All students under 18 when they begin their studies will be required to submit a consent form. The consent form must be signed by a person with parental responsibility for the student. If the person who has parental responsibility for the student is not living in the UK, the emergency contact must be a UK-based guardian. This is an online process and is completed through the Admissions Portal.
Students under the age of 18 will be expected to attend our welcome and induction events on campus and will be required to have a completed and verified U18 consent form for Welcome Week.
Enrolment on an applicant’s course will not be permitted until the under 18 consent form has been submitted and verified. You will receive instructions ahead of enrolment, and as part of the application process, about how to complete and submit the form.
In the event of an emergency
If the student is normally resident overseas, the UK-based guardian will be the primary point of contact. This is largely due to immediacy, including time zone differences and the ability to respond or attend in person if required
Should there be a separate emergency contact/next of kin listed (eg an overseas parent), we may also notify them; however, operationally the guardian will be contacted first. In more serious situations, contacting both simultaneously would also be appropriate.
We expect the guardian to act on behalf of the person with parental responsibility whilst the student is in the UK, including liaising with the parent where needed.
Definition of terms
- Parental responsibility: A person who has legal rights and duties relating to your upbringing. This includes choosing and providing for your education and agreeing to medical treatment.
- Guardian: A UK-based adult who acts on behalf of the person with parental responsibility, if you are under the age of 18 years and when the person with parental responsibility is resident outside of the UK.
- Emergency contact: The person the University will call in a serious emergency about your safety or health. Usually, the person with parental responsibility if you come from the UK or the Guardian if you normally live overseas.