Digital Learning

Terms & Conditions

Study Group Online Foundation Programme only 

In these Terms and Conditions, ‘we’ or ‘us’ means Study Group Limited (‘Study Group’). Study Group is the provider of the Online Foundation Programme (the ‘Programme’) through its Study Group Digital Learning division. Study Group 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 the university you may ultimately progress to.

Please ensure you read these Terms and Conditions carefully and make sure you understand them before signing your final acceptance of a place to study 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 confirm your acceptance of our offer.

English Language Preparation Programme 

These Terms and Conditions relate to Study Group’s Online Foundation Programme only. For terms relating to the online English Language Programmes, please click on the following link.

IMPORTANT: In order to study the Programme, you must have the necessary equipment. Your attention is drawn to the important technical requirements at the following link.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 with Study Group 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.

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 September 2023.

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 the 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-withdrawal

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-withdrawal

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 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. 
  • visa application conditions not being met or failure to achieve all points required. 

A copy of the full refusal notice will be required within 28 days of it being issued and, in some circumstances, an administrative review might be requested to be lodged prior to being eligible for a refund. 

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. 

Options for progression

The possible progression routes after completion of the Programme are set out below: 

Guaranteed conditional offers 

The Programme will allow you to benefit from guaranteed conditional offers from Bangor University, Coventry University and Royal Holloway, University of London. Your offer of a place to study at these universities will be subject to your successfully completing all modules of the Programme and meeting the progression requirements. Please note that the guaranteed conditional offers relate only to the degree programmes listed and conditions stated on your conditional progression offer letter. 

Recognising universities 

We also work with a range of additional universities that will consider applications from students who successfully complete the Programme. You will be able to apply to these universities and, provided you meet the entry criteria, may receive an offer of a place to continue your studies. The universities include: 

Aberystwyth University, Anglia Ruskin University, Bournemouth University, University of Bristol, Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Chichester, City University of London, University of East Anglia, University of Essex, University of Greenwich, University of Hull, HULT International Business School, Keele University, University of Leicester, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool John Moores University, London Metropolitan University, Regent’s University London, University of Strathclyde, University of Westminster, University of Winchester and UWE Bristol.

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. 

Online study options 

The Programme will be delivered online only. However, students in China have the additional option of studying online within a remote learning centre located on the campus of a partner university (a ‘Remote Learning Centre’). Studying online within a Remote Learning Centre enables you to meet others studying the same Programme within a university environment and offers access to a number of campus facilities. Programme fees for studying online within a Remote Learning Centre will be set out in your individualised payment plan. 

Please note that if you choose the option to study online within a Remote Learning Centre, your use of the facilities will be subject to any terms and conditions provided to you by the partner university in which the Remote Learning Centre is located. If, having chosen this option, you choose not to attend the Remote Learning Centre or make use of the facilities and services offered, you will not be eligible for a refund of fees in respect of those services and facilities. 

Please note that, if the Remote Learning Centre is closed or becomes unavailable as a result of lockdown restrictions imposed as a result of COVID management, we will refund the difference between the cost of the Remote Learning Centre option and the online-only option. 

Recording of sessions 

Programme sessions will be recorded and you will be reminded of this at the beginning of your study 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. 

Academic criteria 

Acceptance on a Programme is subject to students meeting the defined entry requirements and the Programme’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. 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. 

How will we ensure test security? 

  • An online proctoring platform or viable alternative will be identified and relevant licences obtained for exam delivery. 
  • Online exams will be invigilated remotely via the online proctoring platform or through web conferencing facilities 
  • Student identity will be checked at the start of each online assessment 
  • Different versions of the online exams will be prepared for students in different time zones 
  • Written work will be submitted via the platform with integrated plagiarism detection software, as in standard delivery 
  • Any suspected academic misconduct will be dealt with in accordance with standard Centre / partner university procedures 

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 the Programme may be subject to a local taxation charge levied on the net price of the 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 to which you progress 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 at Study Group. 

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 you 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 

Study Group seeks 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 is regulated in the UK by the Office for Students (OfS). UKPRN 10008098. 

Important 

These Terms and Conditions apply to all bookings made after 1 September 2023.