In our normal lives we normally don’t think twice about being able to get a refund. However, refund policies of colleges and schools are a gray area, along with complaints and cancellations.
Because of the recent closure and suspension of many colleges in the United Kingdom – and given the sacrifices many students and their families have made – students are rightly concerned; they want their study abroad experience to meet their expectations and they certainly don’t want to be caught up in the current quagmire of UK Border Agency action. Whilst schools, colleges and agents can’t provide guarantees for every possible issue, the most reputable organisations will be quick set students’ minds at ease.
In other words, reputable operators should be able to provide students with policies that are, true especially in the case of refunds.
Many countries around the world provide protections for when things go wrong in consumer law. Many European countries have laws outlining what should happen in the event of cancellation or refund. However, these laws are in place to offer consumers protection against goods or services that do come up to scratch thus refunds are only available in these circumstances.
In the UK there is little protection for students looking at their college to refund their tuition fees if their sponsor licence is suspended or withdrawn. Like the Points Based System, UK legislators could take a further leaf out of Australia’s book, providing regulation of the international education sector. Australia has the Education Services for Overseas Students Act which sets out codes of practice and minimum standards expected from education providers in case of school closure.
The Australian’s have taken great steps to help genuine students who have been affected by school closures: when Melbourne International College closed, the Government waved the visa fee for new applications of some 4,700 affected students.
Refund Policies and Options
Many students are partly to blame for not knowing the refund policy of their school or college. Many neglect to properly read terms & conditions and expect that every agent and education provider will provide fee refunds in the same way. This is in fact, far from the truth.
Refund policies of UK schools and colleges are complicated, with different providers asking for different deposits, arrangement fees, accommodation booking fees, etc. More often than not, these fees are all non-refundable. In terms of tuition fees, there are a number of different policies, dependant on the amount and cut-off dates for refunds.
Students should take great care to familiarise themselves with their school or college’s terms & conditions. If you need any help in interpreting any documents, feel free to ask in the comments.
Mitigating Circumstances
It is definitely true that whilst many schools and colleges have established cancellation and refund policies, some education providers will be more sympathetic than their terms & conditions allow. Many education providers also want to protect their brand and so if a student really can’t come to start their studies, they’ll offer a full refund. As a logical person might think, those schools and colleges who are operating with integrity and morals will often apply common sense to a situation and assess the circumstances surrounding claims for refunds on an individual basis.
There are few education providers that will refund students their visa application fee. Some schools and colleges in the UK take proactive steps to protect their students: Education aBc in Oxford includes insurance with every registration.
The Role of Your Agent
Having applied to study in the UK through an approved agent, students should expect the official refund policy of the school or college to stand. This does appear to be common practice but students should note that agents may well charge for the work they’ve already carried out for you, which would obviously be non-refundable. Good agents will inform students up-front about their own refund policy and many will partially refund their charges to students in the event of course cancellation or visa refusal.
One tip that may apply to students is to look for agents that are registered travel agents or tour operators; they’ll often be required to have a much greater level of protection for customers. Tour operators in many countries are required to take out extensive liability insurance to cover you in case of bankruptcy and non-delivery of services, for example.
In the case of refunds and cancellations, agents’ hands to appear to be mostly tied; both agent and student are at the mercy of the education provider. The specific details of cancellation and refund policy are down to the schools and colleges themselves.
How Students can Complain
The British Council, English UK and the UK Language Schools’ Association administer the UK’s largest accreditation programme. They have also put in place a robust complaints procedure, which students can use to seek some remedy. In fact, all member schools and colleges should display posters with details of the scheme, written in multiple languages. The whole aim of the procedure is to find an amicable solution for both parties, if possible under the circumstances. Around 35 complaints are received, 3 or 4 of which are referred to the Independent Ombudsman for a decision.
English UK education providers are required to have:
- Fair and reasonable terms & conditions;
- Refund and cancellation policies must be clearly and publicly stated; and
- All schools and colleges must provide accurate information on class size, hours study per week, tuition fees, payment options and accommodation.
If a school or college closes before a student completes their course, they can apply to get financial support from English UK’s Student Emergency Support Fund.
hi sir/madam
my collage licence is revoked.i have paid my whole year fee.i am studying only six months.please tell me can i refund my fee.my collage name is victoria collage nottingham.
many thanks
muhammad bilal
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Dear sir my application was submitted in UK Embassy on 19 April 2011 on that time my college was highly trusted but due to change in UKBA laws on 21-23 April my case was given so much importance by the UK embassy that i am still waiting for their answer. i was interviewed by UK Embassy in August but the no reply after that was in my luck. On 21 Nov 2011 when i called uk embassy to ask about my passport they told me that my college Lampton College London is suspended and for this purpose i have to wait more…
First thing which comes always in my mind and nobody even uk Embassy have no logic for it, that i have done ILETS with 5.5 band and the changes in rules was to implement ilets must for the applicant why my application was put for delay.
Can u please tell is there any possibility for the college to that it will come out from the suspension case.
If not will they give my admission fees back.
if i withdraw my application in suspension period of college will they refund.
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Hello Mr Danial,
My friend got enrolled in one of UK’s colleges in January 2011. Before 15-20 days, he got to know that his college is withdrawan. He asked his full refund of fee from college but they refused to do so. Would you please tell that how he can get his refund and where he should complaint against the college? Weather Office of Independent Adjudicator (OIA) organisation can help or not regarding it? Is it true that he should get enrolled in another college within 2 months after withdrawl of his college while he has enough visa and if he does not enorolled in another college within this period then is he considered as illegal?
You are requested to reply as soon as possible.
Thank you.
With Kind Regards
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To those students of London Victoria College who already paid their tuition fee and would be asking for a refund since it was learned that the school’s license has been already revoked, please feel free to express yourself for us to help one another on this matter.
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hi
i just recieved call from my college that my college has been revoked and i have to maintain my bank statment to change my college within 60 days but college is still in teir 4 sponsor register list.i just arrived in uk and did not attend college yet.and paid 2600 pounds for current year fee.how come i can get my refund bcoz i hav hear from other students that college will not refund on any cost.
waiting for your reply
thanks.
ali
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Hello, Atif. May I know what collge are you enrolled in? I’ve been experiencing the same thing now.
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hi daniel,
i came to UK this feb for doing my BTEC diploma in Hospitality from HIGHGATE ACADEMY in NEWHAVEN and i have paid £8500 for the studies of 2 years and accomodation of 1 years. this is my six month here, and college people shut the college and ran away. we didn’t have any idea as they first told us that it is a summer holiday but one day the owner of the accomodation came and said that our college people haven’t paid him from last 2 months and we all trying to contact them from last one month, but no ideas where are they or what is all happening ?
i have no idea that what to do? because my parents have paid alot for my studies and it seems like all gone. i want to stay here in UK but now i am out of money to pay for another college. what should i do?
please help, because me and my friends are in a big mess.
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i was apply in in british embb. for student visa when i was apply and receptionist checked college visa letter and return to us and said your college not CAS NO. once your college get registere CAS no. than after you would get apply, after i was contact to college and in formed about that situation college said we would get with in 4 weeks CAS no. but more than 2 months we not get so i was force to college to get my fees but still they not give us so i was decided to go court and i was submitted case to solicitor and solicitor wrote letter but still not case sort out… so i told solicitor pl. we would go court and see what happen….so anybody have any idea like this case…
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With respect,
I want to get information about my course cancellation condition.Due to my pregnancy condition and my some serious back home problums as i am international student and i am living alone I can’t continue my course.
And due to these conditioin i must have to go back.I am in mid of my course.i have studied my first year of course and my 1 year of course is left.
Please can you guide me that is it any chance i can refund my 1 year remaining course fee.
I shall be very thankful to you on your guidance.
Name Shahana Shujah
Course MSC Marketing
course Finishing date 28 feb 2012
FBT College Birmingham
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DEAR SIR, PLS HELP AND GUIDE ME.
I MOHSIN KHAN APPLIED FOR RIMS COLLEGE IN DOCKLANDS
RECEIVED VISA-6/7/2009
LEFT HYD TO LONDON – 2/8/2009
MOTHER VERY ILL SO RETURNED TO HYDERABAD – 26/8/2009
STAYED IN HYDERABAD 52 DAYS IN THIS PERIOD COLLEGE SUSPENDED
LEFT TO LONDON ON 18/10/2009 VISA CANCELED AND RETURNED.
WILL THE COLLEGE REFUND 3000 POUNDS COLLEGE FEES.
PLS GUIDE.
MOHSIN KHAN
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HI SIR,,
IF I WILL CHANGE MY COLLAGE THEN WHT CAN I DO? PLZ TELL ME. BCZ ACCESS COLLAGE LONDON IS BLACK LISTED. TELL ME ABOUT THIS .
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HI SIR,,
IF I WILL CHANGE MY COLLAGE THEN WHT CAN I DO? PLZ TELL ME. BCZ ACCESS COLLAGE LONDON IS BLACK LISTED. TELL ME ABOUT THIS .
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HI Denial Sir,
i m hassan frm pakistan,n i do matric in year 2000,now i want to study in uk,but i dnt no about the courses n registered colleges,,n i also want to knw tht registration fee is refundable or not,,,plz help me what can i do .thanx and regards.
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Hi
If Any Student Having Problem In Refunding Student Fee from Any College
Please Contact Me @ 9899006201 Delhi
I Will Help You Out.
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Hi priyanka,
I believe you know several people how are not getting refunds from Hamilton College. Please can you get them to contact me. I am having the same problem with them, we will have a stronger chance of getting the refund if we get together. Please contact me soon as you can
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i am going through the same problem as most of people here. AA hamilton college Embankment will not refund the fee for a relative of mine which i paid 8 month ago. They have been making excuses to delay the payment. There are lot of people whose money is held by this college giving excuses. This is a big scam. Can you imagine if they hold on to 500 people money. They dont care if you take them to court because they have enough money sitting in their bank to deal with. The only way to deal with them is to get united and take them to court. I am willing to lose everything i have to close AA hamilton college as this college is robbing people thinks you are weak and not capable of doing anything. If any body is out there who is having the same problem with hamilton college
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