Guidance for students aged under 18 on entry and their parents/guardians

The University is committed to the safety and well-being of all its students. Students who are under 18 are regarded as minors under UK law. We, therefore, ask that you and your parents/guardians consider the following points before deciding whether to accept our offer of a place:

1. The University does not assume parental responsibility for a student under the age of 18. Students and their families should be aware that the University is an adult environment. Students are expected to behave like adults and to assume adult levels of responsibility. All students are expected to study, socialise and live independently alongside adults from a wide variety of backgrounds. All students have free choice about how they spend their spare time and there is no direct supervision outside of contact hours with their academic departments.

2. The University requires parents/guardians’ consent before admitting students under the age of 18. By providing such consent, they confirm that they understand and accept this is the environment in which their child will be studying, and that their child has the required level of maturity required to study in such an environment.

3. Under UK law, minors are unable to purchase alcohol, tobacco, solvents, fireworks and knives. They are also restricted from entering nightclubs unless the event is specifically for under 18s. If accompanied by an adult, 16 and 17 year olds are able to drink (but not purchase) beer, wine or cider with a meal. Some pubs and bars will admit entry to minors but they will not be allowed to purchase alcohol. There are also age restrictions on certain films, video games and it is illegal for a minor to gamble online or in a gambling establishment. These legal restrictions will apply to students under the age of 18 on campus.

4. Students who are 16 or over have the legal capacity to consent to medical treatment. Parents/guardians must be aware that the University, therefore, cannot provide any consent for emergency medical treatment for a student. Students who are under 18 may have any refusal to consent to life-saving treatment overridden by a parent, but the views of the child must be taken into account. Emergency contact details must therefore be provided to the University prior to the student’s arrival and these will be passed to any medical practitioners should the need arise.

5. Students who are under 18 have the legal capacity to enter into contracts for
education and will be liable for fees and charges payable under those contracts. Parents are asked to guarantee obligations under any other contracts with the University for which those under 18 do not have the requisite legal capacity (e.g. gym membership).

6. Students under the age of 18 years are unable to enter into a Licence Agreement with the University and we require a parent/guardian or guarantor to sign the Licence Agreement. Liability for outstanding rent agreed under the Licence Agreement remains with the parent/guardian or guarantor, if the student fails to maintain payment. Students will only be able to access certain halls of residence.

7. It is the University’s usual policy that it deals with students (with whom it has a contractual relationship) and not with parents. This approach will also usually apply to students who are under the age of 18 and the University will correspond directly with the students, rather than parents/guardians.

8. Although those under 18 are regarded as minors under the law, they still have the right under the Data Protection Act for information about them not to be disclosed without their consent or as otherwise permitted by the Data Protection Act. This means that the University is not able to give information to parents or guardians regarding the student's progress, results or any other personal circumstances unless the student has given their specific consent. Insofar as the parent/guardian has guaranteed the student’s obligations, the University may correspond with the parent/guardian in respect of any liability under those guarantor arrangements.

9. Parents and guardians of students under 18 should note that internet access is unrestricted at the University, except where a student is studying a Further Education course. Students under 18 will be expected to observe the same rules and regulations about the acceptable use of the internet as all other students.

10. Any suspicions or allegations of abuse of students who are under 18 will be handled and reported as necessary and appropriate in accordance with the University’s Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy.

11. The relevant Head of School will be notified, prior to registration, of any student within their School who will be under the age of 18 on entry to the University. The student’s personal tutor will be notified; other staff may be also notified as necessary and appropriate.
Appointment of a UK Guardian for students whose parents reside outside the UK

12. If a parent resides outside of the UK they must appoint a UK Guardian who can be contacted in case of an emergency. The UK Guardian must:

• reside in the UK
• be over the age of 18
• be able to speak English
• be contactable in an emergency
• have a UK postal address and telephone number
• not be a registered student or member of staff at the University of West London (unless they are directly related)

The service of UK Guardian can also be hired from a Guardianship Agency until your 18th birthday. Please visit the AEGIS website for more details.

13. The expectations of a UK-based parent or UK Guardian are that they:

• are the named contact in case of a medical emergency
• provide ongoing support to the student
• contact the student at least once a week
• contact the University if they have concerns about the student being ill and missing lectures/tutorials
• contact the University with any other concerns about the student

Parents/guardians should assure themselves that the guardian is suitable and the University accepts no liability or responsibility in respect of the arrangements between parents and guardian.