Our Policy

Our policy is to treat students who are minors as we do our other students as far as is possible. We will not act in loco parentis in relation to the child and therefore we need to raise with parents a number of issues.

The principal issues are as follows:

• Offer of a place at Anglia Ruskin University
• Teaching & other activities
• Tuition fees
• Accommodation
• Emergency medical provision
• Field trips
• The Data Protection Act 1998
• Working through the Anglia Ruskin University Employment Bureau

Offer of a place on an Anglia Ruskin course

The application will be considered using the set entry criteria for the course for which the minor has applied for. It is probable that given their age, they will be called for an interview. For applicants aged 16 years or under, we are happy for a parent/guardian to accompany the child, but not contribute to the interview itself. We will be able to provide time separately for any questions parents may have. Any offer made as a result of the application process will include conditions relating to the return of risk assessment forms which would be sent out with the offer letter.

Teaching and Other Activities

Once a minor has been accepted onto one of our courses, the appropriate Dean of Faculty will appoint a designated person to oversee all arrangements regarding the minor's study and welfare at Anglia Ruskin University. This designated person will have had an Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check. Parents should be aware that minors will attend classes alongside other students, led by staff that may not have had such clearance. The minor may also mix with students and staff at University events and/or whilst accessing facilities such as the Anglia Ruskin Library.

Some tutorials may be conducted on a one-to-one basis. Where the relevant tutor has received Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance, tutorials will continue on this basis. Where such clearance has not been received, then arrangements will be made for another adult to be in attendance. It should be noted that this adult may be another student.

Tuition Fees

Minors will normally be liable for tuition fees. It is usual for adult students (i.e. those 18 or over) to sign a contract with our University with regard to payment of tuition fees, thus binding them to pay whatever monies they owe.

Under certain circumstances it may not be possible for our University to recover monies owed from a student under the age of 18. We must therefore ask parents to complete the Financial Guarantee form, which is attached to the offer letter.

Please note that if a minor is to study Nursing and will be receiving a Bursary, then you need not complete the Tuition fee section of the Financial Guarantee form.

Residential Accommodation

Anglia Ruskin University's procedures state that students who are under the age of 18 years at the commencement of their course at Anglia Ruskin cannot be accommodated in Anglia Ruskin University controlled residential accommodation, or placed by our University in other residential accommodation. This is due to updated legislation, CRB checks and the difficulty in carrying out these checks on host families and already employed persons.

It is therefore the parent/guardian's choice as to where and how such students are housed and, as such, must take full responsibility for this. We would recommend that parents satisfy themselves of the suitability of any accommodation which the minor is offered before entering into any rental agreement or contract.

Emergency Medical Provision

Since Anglia Ruskin University does not act in loco parentis, it will be appreciated that University staff may not authorise medical care for a student. It is therefore important that we have up to date records of parents contact details so that, in an emergency, they may be contacted without delay. There may be circumstances where we are required to act on the student's behalf, for example in dealings with the police or medical emergencies including mental health emergencies. In these cases we will only take such action when the parents/guardians of the student cannot be reached within the timescale required by the particular situation.

Field Trips

It is Anglia Ruskin University's policy that all reasonable care will be afforded in ensuring the safety of our students. Risk assessments are carried out in line with our University policy in conjunction with the Risk Management department, and the best possible advice is given to students in terms of any risk faced. However, we would ask you to note that we cannot provide or accept loco parentis (the role or power of the parent) in respect of any field trips. We ask therefore that parents sign the form at the back of the offer letter, to confirm their understanding. If a student is undertaking an Anglia Ruskin University Students' Union based trip we recommend that parents contact them direct for information on risk assessments.

The Data Protection Act 1998

Under the Data Protection Act 1998, the University is required to keep confidential details of its dealings with all of its students, whatever their age.

We regret, therefore, that it is not generally possible for us to share with parents /guardians details of students' progress etc., except with the written permission of the student concerned.

Employment through the Anglia Ruskin University Employment Bureau

Minors may wish to carry out part-time work whilst studying at Anglia Ruskin. We recommend that parents discuss this with them before admission when issues such as work/life balance should be considered.

The Anglia Ruskin University Student Employment Bureau has an extremely good relationship with the Risk Management department and any job that an under 18 year old applies for is stringently checked for risk. We do ask, however, that a parent/guardian sign the form at the end of the offer letter to notify us that employment whilst studying is acceptable or not acceptable to them.

Anglia Ruskin University cannot accept any responsibility for minors seeking work, other than through the University's Student Employment Bureau.

The law relating to children is now very complex and it is important that we provide parents with as much information as we can. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Paul Varley, or a member of the Risk Management team.