A Facebook page, Naija, has claimed that an individual under the age of 18 cannot be admitted into any UK varsity.
Naija, posted on Tuesday,, “In UK, you can’t be admitted in a university until about 18. You can’t start nursery until 3yrs and if you are born after August 31st then 4yrs. Nothing like double promotion , if your child is too smart then they should engage in other stuff outside school like coding, sports, music, drama etc . FG is right on this one.
The Facebook page made this claim after Nigeria government barred persons under the age of 18 from participating in the National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams.
On the post by Naija which has many claims, FactWatch singled the first one to look into it.
There were mixed reactions from commenters on this post as some supported the post, while others disagreed.
Background
On Monday, the Federal Government officially barred individuals under the age of 18 from participating in the National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, during an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ program.
Prof. Mamman explained that the government has instructed WAEC, which conducts the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), and NECO, which oversees the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), to enforce the 18-year age requirement for exam candidates. He emphasized that this directive is not a new policy but a reaffirmation of existing regulations.
In July, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced a ban on admissions for candidates under the age of 18 into tertiary institutions in the country.
“JAMB is hereby notified that there is now a ban on underaged students, those under the age of 18 into our tertiary institutions from this 2024 admissions,” Mamman said.
Verification
To verify if an individual who’s under the age of 18 can be admitted into any UK varsity, an EXPLAINER by SI-UK on UK University Entry Requirements, stated that UK universities are primarily concerned with qualifications you have achieved after the age of 16, and these may include A-levels, BTECs and, most importantly for international students, the International Baccalaureate.
Checking the minimum age requirements at University of Nottingham, for applicants under 18 years of age on admission, this requirement may be waived on behalf of Quality and Standards Committee (QSC) for applicants who will be less than 18 years of age on admission, on an individual basis, providing that their parents or guardians have given their written agreement in advance to additional safeguards and requirements.
This includes acknowledging that the University will not act in “loco parentis.”
Still at Nottingham varsity, International students under 16 years of age, the university said it will not accept international students below the age of 16 where they will need a student visa to enter or remain in the UK.
At Swansea University, the UNDER 18’S POLICY states that Students registering at the College should normally have attained the age of 16 by the date of registration.
“We may exceptionally admit applicants under the age of 16. Applications from individuals who would be under the age of 16 at the date of registration will be considered by the College and University Partner on a case-by-case basis and determined on their own individual circumstances and merits and the University may require that admission is subject to the application of specific entry criteria and/or conditions.
At Lancaster, the University treats all its students, regardless of age on entry, as independent, mature individuals. However, under 18s living in England are considered by law to be children, which means the University has additional responsibilities towards students it admits who are under the age of 18 prior to the start of their course until the date at which they turn 18, even if this period is brief (once the student reaches the age of 18 this policy will no longer apply. At this point the student will become liable and responsible with regard to all matters).
Lancaster University policy noted that applicants who are under 18 should be aware that they are applying to study in an adult environment and there may be a small number of limitations for them at the University while they are under 18.
See the other minimum age policy for applicants by some UK varsities Here, Here, Here and Here..
Verdict
The claim by the Facebook page, Naija, that individual under the age of 18 cannot admitted in any UK University is FALSE.
