The following outlines the University procedures for handling applications from candidates who will be under 18 years of age at the start of their course.
A signed and completed consent form: Consent Form for International Students Under the Age of 18
from applicants who are under 18 years of age at the start of their chosen course will be highlighted on the applications sent to admissions decision makers.
Please read the Policy for Students Under the Age of 18 Years and Responsibilities of a Guardian before completing this form.
Guardianship Requirements for International Students Aged Under 18 at the Time of Enrolment
University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) requires all international students who are under the age of 18 (Required for students born after the 18th September 2008 (enrolment date) for 2026 September Entry) at the time of enrolment to have a legally appointed guardian based in China for the duration of their studies.
Guardian in China
The student’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) in the home country must designate a responsible adult to act as the student’s guardian during their stay in China. This adult must be either a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen living in China holding a valid Residence Permit.
Responsibilities of the guardian include, but are not limited to:
- Be able to act in the student’s best interest in case of emergency, medical needs, or legal matters.
- Fulfill all legal duties as required by Chinese laws and regulations.
- Accompany the student to the Ningbo Immigration Office to apply for the Student Residence Permit within 30 days of the student's arrival in China.
Written Guardianship Letter and Apostille
The parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must provide a written Guardianship Letter agreeing to the appointment of the designated guardian in China. This Guardianship Letter must be authenticated with an apostille.
The apostille confirms the authenticity of the signature and the capacity in which the person signing the document acted.
Documents from countries that are not parties to the Hague Apostille Convention may require different authentication procedures including notarisation by the Chinese embassy.
Submission Timeline
The guardianship letter, including apostille and (where required) embassy notarisation, must be submitted to UNNC admissions team before the JW202 letter is issued.
Policy Documents
Please read the Policy for Students Under the Age of 18 Years and Responsibilities of a Guardian
NNTC
Ningbo Nottingham Technology Company (NNTC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. NNTC runs the institutionally aligned guardianship programme for under-18 international students of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, helping to match under-18 students with a responsible local guardian.
Process for Students Under the Age of 18 at the Time of Enrolment
Select a Guardian
The guardian should be a lawful resident in China, Chinese nationals, or foreign nationals holding a valid residence permit. If you need support to find your guardian, we recommend joining the China Guardians Programme. For further information and instructions to apply for the guardianship service please follow the instructions on our website here China Guardians Programme for UNNC Applicants Under 18 | NNTC.
For others, please refer to Visa for students under 18 - University of Nottingham Ningbo China.
Complete the Consent Form and Submit with Your Application to UNNC
Parents should complete the Consent Form for International Students Under 18 and upload this to the student’s application portal.
Apostille / Notarisation
Parents should complete the Guardianship Letter and obtain an apostille. Please note that if you use a different template this must be in English and Chinese or include an English and Chinese language translation
Students from countries that are not part of the Apostille Convention also need to have documents notarised by the local Chinese embassy or consulate-general. For the notarisation procedure, please consult the embassy or consulate in your country.
Visa Application
After confirming your place at UNNC and receiving your JW202 form, you can then apply for a visa in your home country and register at UNNC. https://www.nottingham.edu.cn/en/Global/immigration-and-visa/Visa-for-new-students.aspx
Residence Permit
After arriving in Ningbo, you can apply for your residence permit. You must include your apostilled Guardianship Letter. You also need to bring the documents listed here - https://www.nottingham.edu.cn/en/Global/immigration-and-visa/Visa-for-new-students.aspx