If you will be under the age of 18 when you register and begin your course with the university, your parents or legal guardian must complete an under 18 consent form.
Our policy for students under the age of 18
Occasionally the university admits students who are under the age of 18 years. In most cases this will be a very temporary situation, as the student will be approaching their eighteenth birthday at the time of enrolment.
We treat all students as independent, mature individuals, and students who are under the age of 18 years will be treated in the same way. The usual personal and academic support arrangements will apply to students who are under 18 years. This includes a comprehensive range of student services, usually a personal tutor and, if the student is resident in university-owned or leased accommodation, the allocation of resident tutors and a warden.
However, we acknowledges that anyone under the age of 18 is legally a child and we recognise that students under the age of 18 may therefore have additional needs in relation to their support and welfare.
Parental consent
The university is not able to take on the usual rights, responsibilities and authority that parents have in relation to a child, and it will not act in loco parentis in relation to students who are under the age of 18 years.
We must receive consent from the student's parents or legal guardians, to acknowledge their acceptance of the policies and arrangements set out in this webpage. This is a condition of admission to the university for all students who will be under 18 years of age at the time of registration.
Where a student is from overseas and the parents remain outside the UK, we require details of a guardian for the child who is in the UK, and preferably in or near to Nottingham, and who will be accessible to the child and to the university if the need should arise. See the guidance for international applicants and parents below for more information.
Parents or guardians should please read through all policies set out on this webpage, including the additional rules and policies below, before completing the consent form as your acknowledgement.
Parental consent form
Guidance for international applicants and parents
For any parents or legal guardians of students aged under 18 (at the time of enrolment) who are based outside the UK, you must provide details of a guardian based in the UK when completing the parental consent form.
If you do not have a contact in the UK who can act as a guardian then you will need to make arrangements to obtain a guardian before completing the consent form. We will only be able to offer your child a place once you have provided details of a UK-based guardian.
The UK-based guardian should be an adult who can act in loco parentis (legally in the role of a parent) until your child reaches the age of 18, and whom the university can contact in the case of an emergency. Preferably this should be someone who is in or near to Nottingham so that we or the student can contact them easily if this becomes necessary.
The UK-based guardian may be a relative or friend of your family living in the UK but you should discuss these responsibilities with them and ask for their consent before providing the university with their contact details.
Guardianship agencies
If you do not have a contact in the UK who is willing and able to act as a guardian then there are a number of agencies who will, for a fee, make guardianship arrangements for you.
The Association of Educational Guardians for International Students (AEGIS) inspects and provides accreditation to guardianship organisations in the UK in line with current UK legislation.
Agencies we are aware of who are able to make guardianship arrangements include:
This list is not comprehensive and should not be taken as an endorsement of any individual agency. We recommend that you research the arrangements, prices and options available before engaging the services of any agency.
Who is notified?
The relevant Head of School will be notified, prior to registration, of any student within their school or department who will be under the age of 18 years on entry to the university. The student's personal tutor (if one is assigned) will also be notified.
For students in university-owned accommodation, the warden of the relevant hall and residential tutors (if any) will also be notified of any students under the age of 18.
Teaching staff and other staff the student may interact with will not routinely be made aware of a student's age, and neither will other students.
Additional rules and policies
Accommodation
Residential accommodation offered by the university is generally intended for the use of adults. We cannot make special arrangements for students who are under the age of 18, other than in exceptional circumstances.
Alcohol
It is illegal for alcohol to be sold to or bought by students who are under the age of 18 years. The university takes reasonable steps to seek to ensure that the law is not broken in relation to licensed premises under the university's control but cannot undertake to supervise any individual student. The Students' Union is responsible for ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place for its own licensed premises on campus.
Emergencies
It is essential that students under the age of 18 or their parents/guardians provide emergency contact details prior to their arrival at the university. Find out more about this policy in our emergency contact protocol.
If a medical emergency arises and it is not possible for the university to contact the named individuals, a senior member of the university will, on behalf of the student's parents or guardians, give such consent to treatment as is in the best interests of the student. By signing the parental consent form, the student's parents or guardians indicate their consent to this.
Field trips
Some of our courses may involve compulsory or optional field trips, excursions or other periods of study away from the university. We are not able to take any additional responsibility for a student who is under the age of 18 years in relation to these activities. Unless indicated otherwise, parents or guardians give consent for the student to take part in these activities on that basis, by signing the parental consent form.
Holding office
Students who are under 18 years are not allowed to hold office. For example, they may not be secretary or treasurer to a sports club or other students' association.
Parental involvement
We treat all students as independent individuals and it is our usual policy that we deal with students (whom we have a contractual relationship with) and not with parents, guardians or other third parties. This approach will also apply to students who are under the age of 18 years. The university will therefore correspond with students, not parents, on all matters relating to their studies with us.
Relationships with staff
Under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000, it is a criminal offence for any person in a position of trust (which may include members of university staff) to engage in sexual activity with someone who is under 18 years.
Safeguarding
The University has a safeguarding policy, which includes the legal requirement to safeguard and protect those under 18 years of age. If safeguarding concerns arise about a student who is under 18 years, these would be discussed with the safeguarding leads and who will agree the most appropriate course of action. The policy also provides additional detail on the definitions of safeguarding, our process and who the safeguarding leads at the university are.
Complete the parental consent form
Guidance for parents
If you're the parent of a young person applying to university, we know you will want to support your child in their decision-making and application process, and get a good understanding of where they will study and what they should expect as a university student.
Our webpages for parents include advice on researching and choosing courses and universities, as well as information on the opportunities, experiences and support available to University of Nottingham students.
Guidance for parents