Most students will be 18 or over when they commence their studies at the University, or turn 18 soon after they start. The University is an adult environment and treats all of its students as independent, mature individuals. Students who are under the age of 18 years will generally be treated in the same way.
Although the University acknowledges that anyone under-18 is legally a child and may have additional needs for their support and welfare, the University does not take on the usual rights, responsibilities and authority that parents have in relation to a child, and will not act in 'loco parentis' in relation to students who are under-18.
All students under-18 at their study start date, who are not normally resident in the UK, must have a UK guardian. As a student who is under the age of 18 years may not be able to enter into legal contracts, the University require a student's parents to honour all obligations under any contracts with the University that the student enters into prior to his or her 18th birthday.
Offers of admission to under-18s at registration will only be made where the University is satisfied that the student meets entry requirements and there may still be exceptions where professional body age restrictions apply.
The University's Safeguarding Policy sets out in full, the University's approach to under-18s studying at the University in respect of their welfare.