Terms and Conditions for Online Accelerated Pre-Masters Programmes only
In these Terms and Conditions, ‘we’ or ‘us’ means Study Group Limited (‘Study Group’). Study Group is the provider of the Royal Hollow, University of London International Study Centre (the ‘Centre’). It is incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 02325576) with its registered office at 21 Station Street, Brighton, BN1 4DE.. References to the ‘University’ are to Royal Holloway, University of London.
Please note that these terms apply to students on an Online Accelerated Pre-Masters Programme only (hereafter referred to as the ‘Programme’).
Please ensure you read these Terms and Conditions carefully and understand them before signing your final acceptance of a place on the Programme. These Terms and Conditions, along with any offer letter received from us and the policies referred to below form part of a wider agreement between you and us which will become legally binding once you send confirmation of your acceptance of our offer of a place to you.
Please note that these Terms and Conditions assume that you are an international (non-UK) student. If you hold dual nationality, you will NOT be permitted to enrol on the Programme as an international student and progress to the University with the status of a UK student in order to take advantage of lower University tuition fees.
IMPORTANT: In order to study the Online Accelerated Pre-Masters Programme, you must have the necessary equipment. Your attention is drawn to the important technical requirements:
You will need to have a PC or Mac based computer. Whilst it is possible to access and interact with most course content using a tablet or smartphone, these devices will not work for assessments. If you do not have access to equipment, please let us know so that we can support you.
PC:
- Any Microsoft Windows based PC (laptop or desktop, preferably running Windows 10 or 11)
- Web Browser: Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge (Chromium version)
- Webcam
- Microphone
- Installation of Zoom for Virtual Classroom
Mac:
- Any Apple MacOS based laptop or desktop
- Web Browser: Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge (Chromium version)
- Webcam
- Microphone
- Installation of Zoom for Virtual Classroom
Internet Connection:
Internet connectivity is required for access to all coursework. Internet connectivity could be in the form of a fixed line connection, 3G/4G/5G, wi-fi or other technologies.
- Minimum: 600kbps download and 600kbps upload speed
- Recommended: at least 1.5Mbps download and 1.5Mbps upload speed.
Your attention is also drawn to our Student Protection Plan at the following link that contains important information about how we will mitigate risks affecting your ability to study:
View the Student Protection Plan
These Terms and Conditions were updated on 1 December 2022.
Application and confirmation payment
If your application is accepted, a written offer of a place will be made. To accept this offer a confirmation payment is required comprising a non-refundable administration fee of £260 and £1,000 security deposit. Prior to enrolment you will also need to pay your full tuition fees in advance as set out in your individualised payment plan. Non-payment by the fee deadline may put your place at risk. If, at the end of a programme, there are any monies left from your security deposit, these may also be offset against debts incurred by you in relation to any Programme-related expenses. Otherwise an invoice will be issued for any outstanding fees in excess of the deposit. Any monies left will be refunded within 90 days of completion of the Programme, less any deductions made for any amount outstanding at that time.
Deferral, Cancellation and Refund Policy
You may defer your Programme prior to commencing your study by using the following link:
https://www.studygroup.com/request-deferral
You have a right to cancel your place and receive a full refund of any amounts paid by informing us in writing within 14 days of the date you accept the offer. Please note, if you defer your initial offer of a place after the 14-day period has expired you will NOT be able to cancel your deferred place at a later date to take advantage of a full refund. You may wish to cancel using the following link:
https://www.studygroup.com/request-deferral
You may also cancel and receive a full refund of any amounts paid by informing us in writing at any time from the date on which your Programme commences (as set out in your offer letter) for a period of up to 14 days (the ‘Trial Period’).
To withdraw from your Programme before or during the Trial Period, please use the following link:
https://www.studygroup.com/request-deferral
Withdrawal/Cancellation after the Trial Period
Please note if you withdraw from the Programme after expiry of the Trial Period you will not be eligible for a refund of any amounts paid at to us by that time. To request withdrawal after the Trial Period, please use the following link:
https://www.studygroup.com/request-withdrawal
Refunds in other circumstances
You will also be eligible for a full refund of all amounts paid to us in the event that you are issued with a CAS but denied a UK student visa to enable you to progress your studies in-centre at the University. A refund will NOT be issued in these circumstances to students who progress to an online-only programme at the University or in cases where a visa is refused on the grounds of student/agent fraud.
Refunds will only be made to the same card/bank account of the individual from whom Study Group received the original payment. Where eligible, refunds will be made within 90 days of the date of cancellation/withdrawal from the Programme or the date a visa is refused.
Tuition fees
Admission to the Programme is dependent on fees having been received by us in full.
Reasonable efforts are always made to keep fees to the minimum that is consistent with the provision of a modern and efficient teaching programme. However, fee increases may become necessary from time to time in order to maintain standards or following a change in law or regulation. You will be notified in advance of any increase, but we will not increase fees during the course of the Programme.
Provision of tuition
Pre-commencement
Study Group will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver the Programme as described in our prospectus and other marketing materials. However, circumstances may change due to factors beyond our reasonable control and it may be necessary to vary the content of the Programme. We will use reasonable endeavours to ensure that any changes are kept to a minimum, but if we are required to make material changes to the Programme before you begin studying, we shall inform you as soon as possible. If you reasonably believe that the changes will affect you adversely, you may transfer to an alternative programme with Study Group for which you are qualified or withdraw your application for a full refund as set out above.
If there are not sufficient applicants either to make the Programme viable or to deliver a quality student experience, we may cancel or withdraw the Programme. If we discontinue or withdraw that programme prior to your registration and you will be eligible for a full refund of any fees paid to us. Please also be aware that the Programme may have limited spaces available, therefore it is important that you confirm your place as soon as possible after receiving an offer. Failure to do so may result in your being unable to join the Programme.
Recording of sessions
Teaching sessions will be recorded and you will be reminded of this at the beginning of your course and before each session until the last date of admission to the Programme. You may at any time tell us that you do not wish to be recorded by notifying the relevant member of staff. Please note that if you do not consent to the recording of an assessment, this may adversely affect your right to appeal and/or the outcome of any later appeal.
University postgraduate Programme Preparation Fee
Should you be successful in progressing to a University programme, an amount equivalent to 15% of that programme’s first year’s tuition fees will be payable by you to us as a programme preparation fee. At the same time, you will be entitled to receive a 15% discount from the University in respect of its first year’s fees. The relevant University programme preparation fees will be payable through your first year’s University tuition fees.
Academic criteria
Acceptance on a Programme is subject to students meeting the defined entry requirements and the Centre’s criteria for English Language proficiency.
Students are accepted onto a Programme on the strict understanding that progression through the Programme is conditional upon satisfactory and required engagement and successful attainment of prescribed performance targets as outlined to you at the beginning of your Programme. You will be assessed during and at the end of your Programme and your assessment will take into consideration:
- Programme work assignments
- Internal examination results
- Engagement (platform participation)
- Commitment to study (attendance to ‘live classes’)
Your attention is drawn in particular to the fact that you must achieve an engagement & commitment to study rate of at least 80% in order to successfully complete your Programme and progress to the University. If you fail to meet engagement & ‘commitment to study’ requirements during the course of your Programme, your studies may be terminated and you will have no right to a refund.
Re-sits
If you do not pass all summative assessments at the end of your Programme or fail to meet the progression criteria to continue your studies at your chosen University, you will be given one further opportunity to re-sit the assessments or examinations at no further cost within the duration of the Programme as a further opportunity to enable you to progress when intended.
Repeats (Modules or Programme)
If, after the re-sit opportunity, you do not pass all summative assessments at the end of your Programme or fail to meet the progression criteria for your chosen University, you will be given one further opportunity to repeat the relevant modules or Programme at no further cost. The modules or Programme must be completed within 24 months of the start date of your Programme.
If you choose to accept an offer from an alternative university, you will no longer be entitled to repeat.
https://www.studygroup.com/request-withdrawal
Accounts procedures
Payments
Payment can be made to us using a number of payment options via our payment platform. Access to this platform can be found on the How to Pay page using your unique student access code.
Please note that we are NOT able to accept cash payments for fees.
If you choose to pay in your local currency a foreign exchange rate will apply. The applicable exchange rate can be viewed online as at the time and date of the payment. Bank charges and commission for both the sending and receiving banks should be paid by the sender of funds or they will be applied to your account. Accounts communications will be sent both to you and the person responsible for paying the fees unless written instructions are received to the contrary.
Local Taxation charges
Please note that in certain markets, students enrolled on an Online Accelerated Pre-Masters Programme may be subject to a local taxation charge levied on the net price of your Programme. This will be indicated in your personalised payment plan.
Other charges
No other incidental costs will be charged to your account unless you agree to them separately. Fees relating to sponsor reporting and additional support classes for sponsored students are included in the tuition fees set out in your personal statement and are not charged separately.
Data protection
Any information provided to us may be held on computer and shall only be used by Study Group as permitted under any applicable data protection legislation. Your information will be held and processed for the purpose of administering your application, and we may share your information with Study Group's offices around the world. This information may be carried forward to your official student record, which holds data in electronic and paper form on your personal details, academic and administrative history and on relevant financial transactions.
With your consent or where a legitimate interest, we may also disclose appropriate personal data or sensitive personal data (as defined in the General Data Protection Regulation) to relevant third parties outside of Study Group including, but not limited to, your agent, sponsor, the University or an external debt collection agency during or after your period of study. This personal data may include information about your performance, progress and examination results on the Programme.
We will not disclose information about you to any other third parties without your permission unless there are exceptional circumstances, for example when the health and safety of you or others is at risk or where the law requires information to be shared. Throughout we will always comply with our obligations under all applicable data protection legislation. For more information, please refer to our Student Privacy Notice.
Please note that we reserve the right to update the Student Privacy Notice from time to time.
Variation
These Terms and Conditions will apply to you from the date on which accept our offer of a place on the Programme and for the duration of your study with us. No variation to these Terms and Conditions shall be made unless it is in your favour or is with your consent.
Complaints
It is recognised that students, their parents or their representatives may sometimes need to make a complaint about the services received during the application and admissions process. Study Group has a complaints service for this purpose. If you wish to make a complaint at any time, in the first instance you should refer the issue to your Study Group admissions contact who will discuss the problem with you and attempt to resolve it.
If we are not able to resolve an issue in this way, you should formally raise a complaint by email to: UKEUISCQUERIES@studygroup.com. Please include the following information in your email:
- State explicitly that you wish to make a formal complaint
- Include your name and student identification number or Admissions case number
- Give a general description of the complaint and the dates on which any events occurred
- Provide the names or positions of any members of staff or third parties directly relevant to the complaint
- We will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 48 hours, and we aim to formally respond within 5 working days.
Post-registration Complaints and Appeals
Our study centres seek at all times to provide the highest possible level of service and quality of student experience. However, there may be occasions when a student feels that the level has not been good enough. For those, we have a Complaints and Appeals Policy that sets out how a student can formalise a complaint if it cannot be resolved less formally. The policy also sets out the procedures for making an academic appeal. This document makes clear the criteria against which an appeal can be lodged and what a student needs to do if she or he wishes to pursue an appeal.
Please refer to the Student Complaints & Appeals Policy for more information.
Communication
Please provide us with personal e-mail addresses and mobile telephone numbers before beginning your studies so that we can communicate with you at all times (for example, to send you student reports). Please also advise of any changes to your contact details as soon as they occur.
External Educational Oversight
Study Group’s International Study Centre network is regulated in the UK by the Office for Students (OfS). UKPRN 10008098.
Important
These Terms and Conditions apply to all bookings commencing after 1 December 2022. For bookings made prior to that date, please contact your admissions co-ordinator or Centre staff to obtain a copy of the relevant terms and conditions and refund policies which apply to your contract with us.