Getting refund from college – Help –Where to start? Feeling ripped off

Concerned227

Hi, Can someone help point me in the right direction of where I turn to get a refund from college?.

A little background I did a college course at a proper college but the standard was bellow poor there excuse that I have in writing is “It’s not our fault it’s the first time the course was run” but they still charged me the full amount £3000. To me it seems like an open and shut case but they are refusing to refund the money. They don’t seem to grasp that the first time the course being run is not acceptable to charge full price for a below average course. I have various other notes and things but I’ve been left feeling ripped off – Someone please help.

tacpot12

The Office of the Independent Adjudicator might be able to help. But I expect that they won't be able to either because your course wasn't a higher education course, or your college isn't a member of their scheme. I would call them any way to check. Can you complain to us? - OIAHE

If they can't help, you are into the realms of suing them yourself. Have you considered what you would find acceptable as compensation? Is money all you want or would you prefer to repeat the course (or parts of it) at no further charge?

Can you evidence how poor the course was? If your complaint relates to the standard of teaching, what evidence do you have? The course needs to meet a minimum standard. Below average might still be reasonable, but there comes a point where the quality is so low, that a refund or repeat performance would be justifiable. How will you evidence that it was below an acceptance quality? 

If you (or your parents and you live at home) have home insurance, check to see if you/they have legal expenses insurance. If you do, call the legal helpline for advice and support. 

Concerned227

Thank you so much for getting back to me I really need help with this and can't believe it is so hard to find information on the subject.

I mean the fact they replied to my complaint with "It's not our fault it's the first time we have run the course" is an admission of guilt that the course was not up to standard and seems like an open and shut case to me and I have that in writing.

The course was an access HE course at NESCOT.

I don't know if you have seen a number of articles by the Guardian such as the one titled "Can you get a refund if university fails to deliver?"

But a lot of it rang true - Teachers not teaching - leaving lessons to get a coffee, make a phone call or teach another class and not returning. - There is so much and yes I have evidence I did keep records.

My evidence is the statement above I say that is them admitting in writing the course was not up to standard. I also have emails of me saying how disappointed I was. The course material is terrible and I have records of it. I have records etc.

There must be some way to sort this out. Is there any way I can contact Martin Lewis himself for advice?

I may end up suing them myself but I just feel its a lot of effort and when they have already admitted they made a mistake do I really need to?

silvercar

Did you pass the course? For some courses, it seems to me that even with poor teaching and support the necessary certificate gives access to whatever next steps the student wants to take and that is basically what you are paying for. For an access course, I guess the answer is the certificate opens the way to a full university course.

Concerned227

Hi, yes I passed the course but I was not paying for the certificate I was paying to be taught and that never happened. I would image paying for certificates is a legal grey area and I'm not happy.

marcia_

Concerned227 said:

Hi, yes I passed the course but I was not paying for the certificate I was paying to be taught and that never happened. I would image paying for certificates is a legal grey area and I'm not happy.

 If you attended and passed and received a certificate I don't see how you are due a refund 
you can still use that certificate to get a job or move on to higher education 

Concerned227

The course was inadequate and I was not paying for a certificate that would be illegal. What I received was not of the standard promised by the provider. The course did not provide any of the services they were claiming to provide.

marcia_

Concerned227 said:

The course was inadequate and I was not paying for a certificate that would be illegal. What I received was not of the standard promised by the provider. The course did not provide any of the services they were claiming to provide.

Illegal, please quote that Law. 

Concerned227

If I buy a certificate online stating I have received teaching I haven't is that legal?

Concerned227

Even if it's not, I have payed for something I never received. I feel ripped of and want help getting a refund.

marcia_

Concerned227 said:

If I buy a certificate online stating I have received teaching I haven't is that legal?

  No its not illegal, could be fraudulent if you then tried to get a job through it but unlikely you would be prosecuted for it unless it was a regulated occupation 

 But you didnt buy a certificate you attended a course. Given you dont think its up to standard but you attended and passed.