Students under 18

Overview 

We welcome students of all ages, and there is no minimum age requirement for admission. However, if you are under 18 when you begin your studies, you are legally classed as a child or 'minor' under UK law. This means some additional steps are required before you can register.

If you are enrolling on a full-time course and will be under 18 at the start, you must provide parental consent and prove that you have guardianship in the UK before you can register. 

Our Safeguarding and Welfare Team is here to support you through this process and throughout your time at Sheffield.

How to register on your course 

Before you complete the main registration process for new students, you must complete the following steps.

Step 1: Parent(s) complete consent form 

Once you have confirmed your place at Sheffield, your parent(s) must complete the consent form below confirming that you have the required level of maturity to study in an adult environment.

Parent consent form 2025/26 - students under the age of 18

If your parent(s) don't live in the UK, you must first appoint a UK guardian. Your parent will be asked to provide the details of your UK guardian when they complete the consent form. 

If you’re registering for an ELTC online English language course, and you won’t be living in the UK at any point during your course, use the parental consent form below.

ELTC Online Language Courses: Parental consent form for Under 18s

Return your completed copy to safeguardingandwelfare@sheffield.ac.uk. 

Step 2: Complete the under 18’s pre-registration form 

You must also submit the under 18s pre-registration form. 

If you’re a distance learning student, you can skip this step.

Under 18s Pre-Registration Form 2025-26

Step 3: Continue with the registration process 

Once both documents are submitted, the Safeguarding and Welfare Team will update your record within 3 working days so you can continue with the main registration process. 

Step 4: Attend your welcome week meeting 

Attendance at this meeting is mandatory. We’ll confirm the date and location closer to the time.

If you’re a summer school student, our Safeguarding and Welfare team will contact you directly to arrange a meeting.

If you have any questions, concerns or problems, email safeguardingandwelfare@sheffield.ac.uk. 

International students

If you’re an international student under the age of 18 coming to study at Sheffield, there’s some additional steps you need to complete before you arrive.

Applying for your visa 

If you are under 18 at the time of your visa application, you must include a parental consent letter with your application. This can be an original or a copy of the original, and must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation.

Before you arrive

Before travelling to Sheffield, plan your full journey to your accommodation in advance. This includes arranging transport from the airport and ensuring you have access to money on arrival (either cash in sterling, or a credit or debit card). 

It is also helpful to keep your UK guardian's contact details easily accessible when passing through UK Border Control, in case you are asked.

International student essentials for moving to the UK

If your parent(s) don’t live in the UK 

To demonstrate guardianship in the UK, you must have a parent or appointed guardian based in the UK. 

If your parent doesn't live in the UK, you will need to appoint a UK guardian who meets all of the following criteria: 

• Lives in the UK
• Is over the age of 18
• Is able to speak English
• Is easy to contact in case there's an emergency
• Has a UK address and phone number
• Is not a registered student or member of staff at the University of Sheffield (unless they're a sibling or a parent)

If you don’t know anybody who can act as a UK guardian, you can hire someone through a guardianship agency to fulfil the role until your 18th birthday. The Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students (AEGIS) has a list of approved guardianship organisations to choose from.

Your parent, not your UK guardian, will still remain as your legal guardian until you turn 18.

Student and guardian expectations

As a student who is under the age of 18, you will be expected to:

• communicate with your academic tutor if you have concerns with your course 
• communicate with the relevant university service if you need wider support 
• attend an introductory meeting at the start of the academic year 
• contact your parent/guardian if you have missed lectures or tutorials for more than half a day due to illness
• be able to live independently in an adult environment, including managing your own finances, making your own living & domestic  arrangements, and taking care of your own physical/mental health and wellbeing.

As a UK-based parent or guardian, you will be expected to:

• provide ongoing support to the student
• contact the student at least once a week
• be the named contact in case of a medical emergency
• contact the University with any other concerns about the student
• contact the University if you have concerns following the student being ill and missing lectures/tutorials

If you have appointed a UK guardian, they must also complete a short consent form to confirm that they are happy to be in this role. 

Your rights and responsibilities under UK law

The following information outlines your responsibilities and legal rights as a minor under UK law.

Applying for an accommodation contract

Generally, you are not permitted to enter into a legal contract as a minor. However, you are able to register personally with the University of Sheffield and enter into a legal contract for accommodation in the same way as an adult student.

Your parent/guardian may be required to act as a guarantor for other contracts with the University.

University residential accommodation

You will be guaranteed a place in University accommodation, providing you meet the requirements of the Accommodation Guarantee. If you don't qualify, the University will still prioritise you for vacancies in University accommodation.

For further information, read our under accommodation 18s policy.

Disclosure of information

The University is prohibited, under the 1998 Data Protection Act, from disclosing information about your academic or personal progress to your parents/guardians or other third parties without your consent.

Medical emergencies

When you turn 16 you are able to give consent for most medical or dental treatment without a parent’s knowledge. Treatment will remain confidential. 

Where you are unable to consent in the event of a medical emergency and it is not possible to contact your parent or UK guardian, the University can authorise emergency medical treatment.

If you have any further questions, email us at safeguardingandwelfare@sheffield.ac.uk

University support 

We provide a network of support services to make sure you're happy, healthy and secure, so you can get on with doing what you do best.

Support available to you at university

You can also explore our resources to learn more about how to manage your money at university.  

Cost of living and money resources 

Students’ Union

Our Students' Union represents and provides for all students at the University of Sheffield.

Some of the Students' Union events and activities are age-restricted, and students need to prove that they are 18 or older to attend. This particularly relates to club nights and events such as 18+ films.

The Students' Union website contains advice on restrictions for students under the age of 18.