Advice and information for parents and supporters

The University of Surrey is committed to respecting and protecting the privacy and autonomy of all our students. As adults, students have the right to control their own personal information, and we are legally and ethically obligated to safeguard that information. This includes students who are under 18 and those with disabilities.

In line with data protection legislation and university policy, we do not share a student’s personal, academic, health, or wellbeing information with parents, family members, or other third parties without the student’s explicit consent.

However, in rare circumstances where there is a serious and immediate concern for their safety, we may contact a student's emergency trusted contact. Additionally, the University may share information with external bodies if there is a legal basis to do so, such as compliance with statutory obligations.

An emergency trusted contact is nominated by the student as the person authorised for university staff to contact in certain, generally rare, circumstances. This would usually be a parent or guardian, but it can be anyone who is over the age of 18, such as a family member or friend. It is up to the student to decide who this person is, but we suggest that it be someone they feel they can rely on for support.

We encourage parents and supporters to maintain open communication with their students about their university experience. While we understand that families play an important role in supporting students, our responsibility is to ensure that each student’s privacy, independence, and legal rights are upheld.

If a student wishes for us to share information with a parent or supporter, they may provide written consent through the appropriate university process. For general enquiries about this process, please contact the HIVE. Without explicit consent, we are unable to discuss their records or circumstances.

If you wish to learn more about how the University processes your personal data, please visit the Student Privacy Notice.

Thank you for your understanding as we uphold these important principles of student privacy and independence.

In the event of an urgent concern, parents and guardians can contact Campus Safety 24/7 on 01483 682002. For other reports, please visit our immediate support pages or learn more about our emergency trusted contact procedure.