Under 18 Students

If you are under 18 when you start your studies, you will need to:

• Read the Under 18 Student Information Letter
• Return a signed consent form with a wet signature from both you and a parent/guardian, confirming parental consent and guardianship in the UK

As a parent or guardian, you'll be expected to:

• Provide ongoing support to the student
• Be the named contact in case of a medical emergency
• Contact the University with any concerns about the student
• Contact the University if you have concerns following the student being ill and missing lectures/tutorials

You will also need to complete a short consent form to confirm you're happy to take on this role.

To demonstrate guardianship in the UK, you must have a parent living in the UK. If your parent does not live in the UK, they will need to appoint a UK guardian. This can be a family friend, relative, or someone appointed through a guardianship agency, and should be independent of the University. Your guardian must:

• Live in the UK
• Be over the age of 18
• Be easy to contact in an emergency
• Have a UK address and phone number

There are some restrictions and exclusions in place for students under 18, mainly driven by legal requirements and our safeguarding duty. This may mean you do not experience the full social side of university life in the same way older students do. For example, you won't be able to:

• Buy alcohol or tobacco yourself, or have someone buy it on your behalf - doing so is an offence under UK law
• Stand for a position of office within Northumbria Students' Union, depending on the role

These restrictions relate to the extra-curricular side of university life and shouldn't affect your academic experience or course content. Any restrictions placed on you as a minor will automatically end on your 18th birthday.

Alongside your academic life, you may also be managing day-to-day responsibilities such as budgeting and finances, adjusting to life in a new city or country, and balancing relationships, friendships and family commitments. At times, it can feel like there is a lot to juggle.

As a student under 18, you will have access to a range of services and support, including the opportunity to make an appointment with a dedicated University support team. We will also notify your Personal Tutor of your circumstances, so they can continue to support you and help connect you with the right services during your regular catch-ups.

We offer specialist advice and support across all aspects of student life and wellbeing. Our friendly advisers are here to listen and help, whatever your needs or circumstances. You can find more detailed information about the support available on our website.

At Northumbria your safety is our priority. We have a dedicated 24-hour security team, and we recommend downloading the free SafeZone App to your mobile device. The app provides a direct connection to the University’s security team when you are on campus and can connect you to emergency services when you are off campus, helping you access support quickly whenever you need it.