GUIDANCE NOTES FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

The University of Kent is committed to the safety and well-being of all its students but has particular responsibilities in
relation to those who are under 18 years of age on entry. Such students are regarded as children under UK law. We
therefore ask that you consider the following points before deciding whether to proceed with an application to the
University:

1. The University will not assume parental responsibility for a student under the age of 18. Students and their
families should bear in mind that the University of Kent is an adult environment. Students are expected to
behave like adults and to assume adult levels of responsibility. Students are expected to have the necessary
life skills to study and live independently alongside people from a wide variety of ages and backgrounds.
Places are offered at Kent on the understanding that the student will be able to adapt to living away and deal
with the practicalities this will involve. The University will allocate a personal tutor who has responsibility for
younger students but will otherwise expect those under 18 to behave in the same way as adult students. On
reaching the age of 18 these arrangements will cease and the student will be expected to relate to the
University as an adult.

2. In rare instances, consent for emergency medical treatment may be required before parents or guardians
can be contacted. The University therefore requires parents/guardians to give their consent that, in the case of
such an emergency, the University has the permission to act on medical advice and do what is in the best
interests of a student aged under 18 years old.

3. Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that the University has been informed of any special needs
or requirements.

4. The University requires parents/guardians to act as guarantors. This means that parents/guardians must
pay any sums agreed under a contract if the student fails to do so. Failure to pay debts due to the University
could result in the student's enrolment at the University being suspended.

5. Under rights granted by the Data Protection Act the University is not able to give information to
parents/guardians regarding the student's progress, results or any other personal circumstance unless the
student has given their specific consent.

6. All students under 18 years old registered with the University of Kent will be subject to the University’s rules
and regulations.

7. Students under the age of 18 years old will not be able to purchase alcohol and may not drink alcohol on
University premises. All students are subject to random checks in relation to their age when using licensed
University facilities.

8. Students under the age of 18 years old will not be able to hold office in University or Students' Union clubs
and societies and their participation in certain activities may be limited. If parents/guardians are unwilling for
the student to participate in activities such as overnight field trips, they must contact the University to discuss
this before any offer of a place is accepted. If this would, in the University's reasonable opinion, have a
significant detrimental effect on the student's experience of university life, the University reserves the right to
amend an offer so as to admit the student only once they reach the age of 18.

9. Where parents/guardians are not resident in the UK, it will be necessary to appoint a UK based guardian for
a student under 18 on entry. The University needs the contact details for this person and must be sure that
they have agreed to act in this capacity. Being a guardian involves carrying out the tasks and responsibilities
of the parent as delegated by the student’s parents/guardian. As such it is a private arrangement between the
parent and the guardian and for non-UK domiciled parents/guardians must adhere to the latest Immigration
rules, which can be seen here:

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 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-application-for-uk-visa-as-tier-4-student

The agreement between the parent and UK guardian must consent to the arrangements for the students
application, travel, reception and care arrangements in the UK until they reach the age of 18.

The University is not able to assist parents in finding a suitable guardian but for those families who do not
have friends or relatives in the UK, a list of accredited agencies can be obtained from:

The Association of Educational Guardians for International Students (AEGIS)

Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1453 821293 Email: info@aegisuk.net
The list is also available at www.aegisuk.net

10. The person in the role of legal parent or legal guardian, must evidence their relationship to the child, by
providing one of the following documents:

 A birth certificate showing the names of the applicants parent(s),

 A certificate of adoption showing the names of the applicant’s parent(s) or legal guardian, or
 A court document naming the applicant’s legal guardian

Please complete the attached consent form and, if the parent/legal guardian is not resident in the UK, the form
to appoint a UK guardian, and return them together with evidence of the relationship between the parent/legal
guardian and the student, as listed above, to the Admissions Office by uploading the documents to the
applicant’s University of Kent portal.
.
On receipt of the satisfactorily completed forms and supporting documents, the application for admission will
be considered by the Head of Recruitment & Admissions Office and then passed to the Deputy Vice-
Chancellor for final approval if necessary.

Please contact the Recruitment & Admissions Office if you wish to discuss your application or these forms in
further detail.

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PARENTAL CONSENT FORM FOR A STUDENT UNDER 18 ON ENTRY

This form should be completed by the student’s parent or current legal guardian.

1. I understand and accept that the University of Kent does not accept parental responsibility for students under
the age of 18.
2. I understand and accept that the University of Kent is an adult environment and that students under the age of
18 will generally be treated as an adult.
3. I consent to any activities that the applicant will be undertaking as a necessary part of their studies.
4. I consent to the University of Kent acting on medical advice in the best interests of the student to authorise
emergency medical treatment if it is not possible to contact a parent or an appointed guardian.
5. I understand and accept that the University of Kent's internet and e-mail services are provided on the principle
of unrestricted access.
6. I will enter into a legally binding guarantee to cover accommodation and tuition fees if requested by the
University.
7. I understand and accept that while studying at the University of Kent students under the age of 18 are subject
to UK law and the rules and regulations of the University.
8. I understand and accept that the University of Kent cannot release information relating to students under the
age of 18, either academic or personal, without the student giving the University express consent for this.
9. I understand that the agreement between myself and the UK guardian must consent to the arrangements for
the student’s application, travel, reception and care arrangements in the UK.

Full Name of Student:

Family name First name(s)

UCAS ID Number:

Kent application ID number:

Name of Parent/Guardian:

Documents provided: ☐ Birth certificate showing the names of the applicants parent(s)

☐ Certificate of adoption showing the names of the applicant’s parent(s) or

legal guardian

☐ Court document naming the applicant’s legal guardian

DECLARATION: I declare that I have read and ACCEPT the above conditions

Signature of Parent/Guardian:

Date:

Please complete, scan and return this form by uploading the documents to the applicant’s University of
Kent portal.

21 November 2017
FORM TO APPOINT A UK GUARDIAN FOR A STUDENT UNDER 18 ON ENTRY

If the parent / legal guardian is not resident in the UK, this form should be completed by both the student’s
parent or current guardian and new UK guardian.

To be completed by the student’s parent or current guardian:

Full Name of Student:

Family name First name(s)

UCAS ID Number:

Name of Parent/current
Guardian:

DECLARATION: I authorise the person named in the section below to act as guardian for the student named above
whilst in the UK and until they reach the age of 18

Signature of Parent/current
Guardian:

Date:

To be completed by the student’s new UK guardian:

Name of UK Guardian:

Address of UK Guardian:

Telephone number of UK Guardian:

Email of UK Guardian:

DECLARATION: I agree to act as

UK Guardian for the above named
student

Signature of UK Guardian:

Date:

Please complete, scan and return this form by uploading the documents to the applicant’s University of
Kent portal.

21 November 2017