Admission of students under the age of 18

2.1    Introduction

2.1.1    At the University of East London (UEL) an applicant’s suitability for study is assessed on their academic ability and potential to succeed.

2.1.2    The University does not discriminate on any grounds, including age, against any applicant who has met the University's entry requirements for a course of study.

2.1.3    However, the University is an adult environment; all students are expected to act as adults and to assume adult level of responsibility.  

2.1.4    Students are expected to have the necessary skills to study independently alongside people from a wide variety of ages and backgrounds.  

2.1.5    Places are offered on the understanding that, where relevant, students under the age of 18 years will be able to adapt to living away from home and manage the practicalities that this involves.

2.1.6    The University treats all students as independent, mature individuals and students who are under the age of 18 years will be treated in the same way.

2.2    Parental responsibility

2.2.1    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.

2.2.2    Parent / legal guardians and applicants who are under the age of 18 years should:

• Understand that any adjustments made for a student under the age of 18 years, are made in the best interests of the student. UEL aims to provide a commensurate, if not identical, study experience for students under 18 years of age.
• Understand that UEL does not provide parents/legal guardians or other persons with information relating to a student’s progress unless the disclosure is required under the Data Protection Act or the student has provided their express and written permission to do so.
• Be aware that on admission, applicants will be entering into an adult environment by studying at UEL and will be treated as an adult. This includes access to materials intended for persons over the age of 18.
• Understand the level of maturity required to operate within an adult educational environment.
• Understand it is illegal for alcohol to be sold to or bought by students who are under the age of 18 years. The University will take 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. 
• Be aware that the applicant should have express permission from their parents/legal guardian to study at UEL.
• Be aware that parents/legal guardians will be committing to providing support for the applicant.
• Meet the University’s general Terms of Admittance by providing parent/legal guardian contact details (i.e. a local-based responsible adult such as a family member or friend) who the university can contact in case of an emergency.
• Understand that parent(s) (or legal guardian as appropriate) are responsible for the debts of any student under the age of 18 years
• Understand that UEL does not provide parents/legal guardians or other persons with information relating to a student’s progress unless the disclosure is required under the Data Protection Act, or the student has provided their express and written permission to do so.

2.2.3    Applicants who are under the age of 18 but do not have a parent or legal guardian based in the UK are required to inform the University of a UK based guardian. The UK based guardian will be their point of contact in the UK should an emergency situation arise. This guardian can be a nominated relative or friend living in the UK. Alternatively, a guardian can be appointed through an organisation offering legal guardianship services, such as the Association of Educational Guardians for International Students (AEGIS) who inspect guardians to ensure they meet the required standards.

2.3    Admitting applicants who are under 18 years of age

2.3.1    Applicants must declare their date of birth on their application for study whether made directly to UEL or via a centralised admissions system such as UCAS.

2.3.2    The application will be processed in the normal way and a decision on academic suitability made without consideration of the age of the applicant (except where a professional body requirement precludes this).

2.3.3    UEL will ensure restrictions on the age of entry are included in the published course information pages online. Applicants should also ensure they check the course information prior to making an application to study at this university.

2.3.4    If the applicant is, or will be, academically qualified for the course by the requested point of entry but will be under 18 years of age on entry, the following will apply:

• A formal offer will be made conditional on a Safeguarding Assessment to determine the applicant’s maturity and readiness to enter an adult environment. A completed Parental Consent Form will be requested, and an assessment will be made by the Head of Student Admissions, or nominee and the University Safeguarding Lead, or nominee.
• An assessment may include, but is not limited to, supporting statements and references from Schools / Colleges and / or interview with the applicant and a parent / legal guardian.
• UEL reserves the right to independently verify the information contained within the Parental Consent Form prior to permitting enrolment.

2.3.5    Enrolment will not be permitted until the Safeguarding Assessment has been passed and a satisfactory Parental Consent Form has been received.

2.3.6    If the Head of Student Admissions, or nominee and the University Safeguarding Lead, or nominee, is not satisfied that the applicant has the level of maturity and understanding required to enter an adult environment the application will be considered unsuccessful.

2.3.7    At the discretion of the Head of Student Admissions, or nominee, the applicant may be offered a deferred place for the chosen course of study. Any deferral will be for a point at which the Head of Student Admissions feels the applicant will have the required maturity whilst under the age of 18 years.

2.3.8    Once an applicant reaches the age of 18 years, they will be considered an adult and therefore this policy will no longer apply.

2.4    International applicants

2.4.1    For International applicants needing a visa to study in the UK the University must comply with regulations set by the UK Visas and Immigration service (UKVI). 

2.4.2    As such, parents or legal guardians must ensure suitable care arrangements are in place for a child under the age of 18, who will study in the UK and be sponsored by the University under its Student license. The consent form with two parental signatures, must be returned to the University prior to the issuing of a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS).

2.4.3    We are unable to sponsor applicants aged 16 or under, for a student visa.

2.5    Enrolling applicants who are under 18 years of age

2.5.1    If an applicant is considered academically qualified for a course and is also considered to understand the level of maturity required to enter an adult environment, and has provided parental/legal guardian consent, they will be permitted to enrol at UEL.

2.5.2    At the point of enrolment, the Applicant Checks Officer will notify the relevant Dean, School Safeguarding Officer(s) and School Manager that a student under the age of 18 years will be joining a course in their School. This notification will be copied to the Assistant COO (Health Gain and Student Experience).

2.5.3    Once fully enrolled, students who apply under this policy will be issued with a University student card that identifies that they are below 18 years of age. This can be exchanged for a standard UEL student identity card, free of charge, as soon as the student reaches 18 years of age and presents at the Student Hub for such a card to be issued.

2.6    Further Considerations

2.6.1    The University is committed to providing a safe environment for young people under 18 years of age who may be present on campus or engaged in University activities.

2.6.2    The University will respond to any concerns that a student under 18 years of age is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect in accordance with the University Safeguarding Policy.

2.6.3    University accommodation is not available to students under the age of 18 years. However, on turning 18, a student can apply for accommodation so long as they meet the eligibility criteria. 

2.6.4    The UEL Students’ Union also offers support and advice with accommodation.