Rules

1. General Definitions

• We / Our / Us / School: ABC School of English & GG Colleges, including all campuses and affiliated entities.
• You / Your / Student: The individual enrolling in or attending a course or programme.
• Booking: A confirmed course or service reservation, activated once payment is received and enrolment is confirmed.
• Course: Any educational programme, class, or training session offered by the School.
• Services: Includes tuition, accommodation placement, visa assistance, and extracurricular activities.
• Fees: Total amount payable for courses and services, including tuition, registration, and accommodation.
• Administration Charge: A small fee the school charges to cover the time, staff work, and resources needed to process your booking, maintain your student record, and provide the paperwork you need before and during your course.
• Visa Assistance: Guidance and documentation support for student visas.
• Location: The premises where classes are delivered (on-site or online). The School may change locations and use alternative sites if required.
• Public Holidays: UK government holidays when the School may be closed.
• Force Majeure: Unforeseeable events beyond the School’s control, e.g., natural disasters, pandemics, or government restrictions.

2. Enrolment and Acceptance

• Enrolment Methods: Students may enrol online, by telephone, or by completing a written application form.
• Confirmation: Enrolment is confirmed when the School issues a written confirmation and/or receives payment.
• Admission and Application Decision:Our college welcomes applications from all students and is committed to providing fair and transparent admissions procedures. Applications will be considered against the published entry requirements, the applicant’s ability to benefit from the course, and the availability of places.The college reserves the right to decline an application where:
  • the applicant does not meet the course entry requirements,
  • the course is full,
  • the course is not suitable for the applicant’s current level of study or support needs, or
  • safeguarding or welfare concerns arise which cannot reasonably be addressed.
  In line with the Equality Act 2010, the college will not discriminate against applicants on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. The college will make reasonable adjustments to accommodate applicants with disabilities.

3. Payment of Fees

• All fees must be paid in full before the start of the course unless otherwise agreed in writing.
• Payments may be made by bank transfer, debit/credit card, or secure online payment. Students are responsible for any bank charges or currency conversion fees.

4. Accommodation Arrangements

• Students requesting accommodation must pay a deposit equivalent to two (2) weeks’ rent, in addition to a £40 accommodation placement fee. This applies to standard accommodation arrangements.
• Students are responsible for any bank charges or transaction fees associated with their payment.
• Students’ preferences and expectations regarding accommodation must be managed accordingly, and students should be prepared to adapt to the accommodation provided.

Emergency Accommodation

• Emergency accommodation is a short-term arrangement that can be requested if a student did not manage to submit their accommodation request within the standard two-week timeframe.
• The College may recommend hostels, hotels, or other short-term options, but it cannot guarantee availability.
• The College will assist as much as possible in connecting students with suitable options, but the responsibility for securing and paying for the accommodation rests with the student (or their agent, if applicable).
• In the event of changes, or if a student is dissatisfied with the accommodation, a proper process must be followed to resolve the issue. This includes contacting the agent and/or accommodation provider and following their procedures for changes or complaints.
• Students are strongly encouraged to review accommodation agreements carefully and understand their rights and responsibilities, including notice periods, house rules, and safeguarding measures in place.

5. Cancellation and Refunds

a. General Cancellation

• All cancellations must be submitted in writing (email or letter) during normal business hours (Monday–Friday, 09:00–17:00 GMT). Requests received outside these hours will be treated as received on the next working day.
• Refunds are calculated fairly, considering the tuition delivered, services provided, and genuine administrative costs incurred.

b. Non-Refundable Fees

• Registration, administration, courier, and accommodation placement fees are non-refundable.
• Any tuition that has already been delivered at the point of cancellation is non-refundable.

c. Tuition Fee Refunds (Before Course Start Date)

d. Late Cancellations (Within 7 Days of Start Date)

• Cancellations received less than seven (7) calendar days before the start date will incur the applicable cancellation charge plus the equivalent of one (1) week’s tuition fee.

e. After Course Commencement

• Once a course has commenced, refunds are not normally issued for non-attendance, late arrival, or early departure.
• In exceptional circumstances (e.g. serious illness, bereavement), the School may, at its discretion, offer a partial credit towards a future course within 12 months of the original start date.

f. Distance Contracts (Online/Phone/Email Bookings)

• Courses booked online, by phone, or by email fall under UK “distance selling” rules.
• Students have a statutory right to cancel within 14 days of first payment (“cooling-off period”), provided the course has not yet started.
• Refunds in this case will be given minus any non-refundable fees (e.g. registration), and minus the value of any tuition already delivered if the course has started.
• If a student chooses to begin their course within the 14-day period, they agree to waive their right to a full cancellation refund.

6. Visa Responsibilities and Refunds

a. Visa Application Responsibilities

• Students are responsible for applying for their visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in good time.
• A valid passport, appropriate visa/ETA, and permission to remain in the UK must cover the full duration of the course. No refunds will be made if a visa or permitted stay is shorter than the course length and the student is unable to complete.
• Full payment is required before any official documents for visa purposes are issued. If a deposit is agreed, this will be shown on a provisional booking confirmation.
• The School provides only general guidance on visa matters. Students remain responsible for understanding and complying with immigration requirements. The School cannot be held liable for decisions made by UKVI, embassies, consulates, or for changes to immigration regulations.
• The School reserves the right to charge a £50 administration fee for additional or replacement documents requested beyond the standard booking confirmation and supporting letters.

b. Visa Refusal Refunds and Withdrawal

• Refunds for visa students are considered only if an official visa refusal letter (issued by UKVI or the relevant authority) is provided before the course start date.
• No refund will be issued if the refusal results from fraudulent, false, or unverifiable documentation.
• Refund requests for visa refusals must be submitted within 12 months of the original course start date.
• Visa applications may sometimes be refused. In such cases, the School recommends that students pursue all reasonable remedies available, such as re-application or an administrative review, as the ultimate aim is for the student to obtain a visa and begin their studies. Refunds will be processed, but only once the School has received evidence that these remedies have been exhausted.
• Refund requests will only be processed upon receipt of a complete written request for refund together with a copy of the valid refusal letter issued by the UKVI. Refunds are normally processed within three (3) months from the date the School receives these documents.
• If a student withdraws their visa application voluntarily, decides not to travel, or changes their mind for reasons unrelated to visa refusal, no cash refund will be issued. However, the School may offer a credit note for the value of unused tuition fees, valid for up to 12 months from the original payment date.

c. Refund Requests – Who May Apply

• Refund requests may only be made by the student, or if under 18, by their parent or legal guardian.
• Requests from third parties not party to the enrolment agreement cannot be accepted.

7. Holidays and Course Changes

• Holidays must be booked at least 7 days in advance, starting on a Monday for a full week.
• The School does not extend courses for mid-week holidays.
• Holidays can be changed or cancelled with 7-day notice.
• No reduction in fees is given for public holidays; Christmas closure of two weeks is exempt.

8. College Discretion and Class Changes

• Classes cannot be changed mid-week; changes take effect from Monday.
• The School reserves the right to change teachers, timetables, classrooms, and classroom locations.
• Classes may be combined if necessary.
• Students may be removed from the register if attendance is unsatisfactory.

9. Student Behaviour

• Students are expected to behave responsibly.
• Wilful damage to property or threatening behaviour may result in expulsion without refund.

10. Liability

• The School is not responsible for personal injury or loss/damage to property on the premises or during trips/excursions.

11. College Closure and Online Classes

• In the event of government-mandated closure, classes may be delivered online.
• Fees will transfer to online courses; no refunds will be issued for closure periods.

12. Force Majeure

• The School is not responsible for delays or non-performance caused by circumstances beyond its control, including natural disasters, pandemics, strikes, or government restrictions.

13. Complaints

• Complaints should first be directed to the Director of Studies.
• If unresolved, students may escalate the matter to the Principal at israel@goldersgreencollege.co.uk.