Can we keep our minimum age for student entrance?

In keeping with the spirit of the age legislation, applicants to higher education institutions should be considered on their individual merits on a case-by-case basis.

The issue here is not primarily chronological age, but individuals' ability and their readiness for university study.

Institutions that have no minimum or maximum age on entry would be well advised to develop policies and procedures outlining the nature of their support for very young students.

There may also be child protection issues to consider. Staff in higher education who come into contact with minors may have to undergo checking procedures in the form of Criminal Records Bureau checks, depending on the nature of the contact (for example, whether it is on a one-to-one basis).

Institutions that decide to retain minimum or maximum ages for entrance to courses will need to be able to justify these objectively.