Eligible for refund

JM_W

Seeking consumer advice about a refund request for an educational course. 

In August 2022, I purchased an online diploma course which contained 4 separate modules. I could have purchased each as a separate course but it was a good reduction to buy all four in 1 payment. 

Sadly, unexpected bereavements, life changes and poor mental health made it very difficult to prioritise my learning journey and I was very delayed in starting GCU 1 of the DIP CPC. 

In April 2024 I commenced working through Module 1 and was sent all of the documents to complete this course. Obviously in starting the module I was reviewing all of the content and realised that I am not not satisfied at all with Module 1 and it does not fit what I had hoped for in a continuing development remit.

Their refund by-line is that monies paid are not refundable after two weeks from registration- so I am clearly over that.

However, n good faith, I contacted the course administrator and stated that I feel it is appropriate to honour the payment already submitted to you for module 1 and I requested a refund on the remaining amount of the 3x module course package I have already paid for. I have received no form of reply for the past 6 weeks.

I seek forum advice to either help me take action or put this matter to rest. I believe that as I have had no interaction with nor I have never received any materials related to the additional 3x modules, I should have rights to be able to protect me for a refund despite the time lapse.

Is their any advice or consumer rights that could support me in pushing my case. TIA.

Aylesbury_Duck

JM_W said:

Seeking consumer advice about a refund request for an educational course. 

In August 2022, I purchased an online diploma course which contained 4 separate modules. I could have purchased each as a separate course but it was a good reduction to buy all four in 1 payment. 

Sadly, unexpected bereavements, life changes and poor mental health made it very difficult to prioritise my learning journey and I was very delayed in starting GCU 1 of the DIP CPC. 

In April 2024 I commenced working through Module 1 and was sent all of the documents to complete this course. Obviously in starting the module I was reviewing all of the content and realised that I am not not satisfied at all with Module 1 and it does not fit what I had hoped for in a continuing development remit.

Their refund by-line is that monies paid are not refundable after two weeks from registration- so I am clearly over that.

However, n good faith, I contacted the course administrator and stated that I feel it is appropriate to honour the payment already submitted to you for module 1 and I requested a refund on the remaining amount of the 3x module course package I have already paid for. I have received no form of reply for the past 6 weeks.

I seek forum advice to either help me take action or put this matter to rest. I believe that as I have had no interaction with nor I have never received any materials related to the additional 3x modules, I should have rights to be able to protect me for a refund despite the time lapse.

Is their any advice or consumer rights that could support me in pushing my case. TIA.

This would seem to be the pertinent point.  Are you saying they haven't provided three of the four modules you paid for?  Or is it the case that module 2 only becomes available once you've completed module 1?

CliveOfIndia

On the face of it, it sounds like this is essentially a change of mind on your part (I mean that from an objective point of view, personal circumstances notwithstanding)..  As such, if you are outside the agreed window for a refund then I can't see they are obliged to offer a refund - given that they have not broken the terms of their contract with you.

If the contents of the course were misrepresented from the outset, then you'd have a case.

JM_W said:

I believe that as I have had no interaction with nor I have never received any materials related to the additional 3x modules, I should have rights to be able to protect me for a refund despite the time lapse.

This maybe throws a different slant on things.  Why have you not received the course materials for the subsequent modules - did you tell them you didn't want them, of did they just not send them?

Alderbank

I am guessing that this is the Institute of Counselling Diploma In Clinical and Pastoral Counselling which is delivered as an online/distance learning course by the IoC in four modules?

The IoC is a Scottish company. Their T&Cs say that their courses are governed by Scots law and any disputes relating to your access to and use of the Site shall be determined by the Scottish courts so if you were to make a claim it would be according to the Simple Procedure in the Sheriff Court.

Your entitlement to a refund is not to do with how much you might have used the material (that could be very difficult for a court to check) but rather what money the training provider would lose if they refund you.

Basically if you are a Consumer, that is if the course is unconnected with your career but just for personal enjoyment, the provider can only retain their actual expenses which they have incurred. IoC is registered as a Scottish charity so they will not claim loss of profit, but for example they say each student is allocated a personal mentor, so if that mentor has already been paid to support you, you would not be able to claim a refund for that.

Many people take this course to train as a paid counsellor or as part of their professional development. If that is you, you might not be entitled to consumer rights but you still have contractual rights.

Can you give us any more information about all the above points?