Ashdown Academy Ltd - Terms and Conditions
Ashdown Academy Ltd, trading as The Event Academy
These terms and conditions represent an agreement between Ashdown Academy Ltd, (‘Academy’) and the student (‘Student’). By paying any fees or accepting the Academy’s offer of a place for any of our courses or services (‘Course’), the ‘Student’ accepts these terms and conditions in full, which forms the contract between the ‘Student’ and the ‘Academy’ in relation to your studies with the Academy.
Booking & Payment
All payments must be made in UK pounds sterling (£) unless alternate currencies are offered by the Academy
Current course prices and dates can be found on our website https://eventacademy.com
Any fees imposed by banks or money transfer companies are the responsibility of the Student.
Payment Plans
Payment plans are available on selected courses (see website for fees and payment terms).
Course Requirements
All students must be 18 or over at the start of their course
All courses are conducted in English and students must be able to read, write and speak English and may be asked to complete a test prior to commencing the course
It is the responsibility of any Student joining a course in the UK to ensure that they are eligible to study in the UK. Information can be found on the UK Government website: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration. The Academy is unable to assist with any visa applications
Course Accommodation and Travel
Organising and financing accommodation and travel is the responsibility of the Student
Online Course Access
The online course fee allows a Student access to their Course for the following periods:
Masterclasses - One month
Essentials and Advanced: Three months to complete Course & assessments
Certificate: Six months to complete Course and assessments
Diploma: Twelve months to complete Course and assessments
Postgraduate: Twelve months to complete Course and assessments
Cancellation Terms
All requests for cancellations must be received in writing and acknowledged by the Academy in writing.
Over 60 days prior to the start date of the booked course: Full refund less standard deposit
Less than 60 days prior to the start date of the booked course: 100% fee due
Failure to attend/start the booked course: 100% fee due
Cancellation during the booked course: 100% fee due
Placements cannot be cancelled as they are only available to students already enrolled on a course.
Any ‘consumer’ rights are not affected by these terms, but an administrative fee of £150 and the value of any classes attended or material accessed will be deducted from any refund.
Any refunds required in a currency other than pounds sterling (£), will be converted at the exchange rates provided by HSBC on the day of the transfer.
The Student is responsible for the payment of any fees imposed by banks or money transfer companies.
Course Deferral, Exam Date Change, Transfer to Another Course and Online Course Extension
If you wish to defer your course or transfer to another course, the following administrative fees will be charged in addition to any additional course fees:
Administrative Charges
Postgraduate courses - Live and Online
Prior to the course starting: £150
After the course has started: £250
All other courses: £150
Fee Adjustments
Over 60 days prior to the start date of the original course
Deposit is retained and remaining payment terms adjusted to meet new course dates (if transferring to a cheaper course, the original fees stand)
Less than 60 days prior to the start date of the original course
Course fees are due according to the payment terms for the original course & the balance for any additional fees, if future course costs more
After course start date
- All original fees are due and the fees of any additional course
Change of Exam Dates and Online Course Extension of access
- A fee of £150 will be applied for each change of exam date or extension
Late or Non-payment of Fees
If for any reason a payment is not made on time, the Academy can:
Remove a Student from the Course or placement
Deny a student access to their exam
Withhold a Student’s results and certificate
Degree Alternative options
The Academy has the right to remove a Student from the Degree Alternative course if, in their opinion, the Student will not achieve the next level required for the course. In that instance, the Student will only be charged for the elements of the course they have completed (Certificate /Diploma based on individual course fees at the time of the course) and £1,000 for the Personal Development & Mentoring Programme, if it has commenced.
The student may choose to leave the Degree Alternative course after completing the Certificate exam. This decision must be within 5 days of completing the exam and the student will only be liable for the equivalent of the Degree Alternative deposit.
Student Changes
In the event of a Student not being able to attend their course, the Academy will accept a substitute Student, on the condition that written notification of the substitution has been received prior to the start of the course and the substitute Student meets all the criteria required for the course. An administration fee of £150 will be charged.
The Academy reserves the right to remove any Student, from any course, should their behaviour be deemed inappropriate or bring the Academy into disrepute. In such event, no refund of course fees or other costs shall be made
Course Cancellation
The Academy reserves the right to cancel, change or postpone any course at any time.
In the event of cancellation of a course by the Academy, the Academy will endeavour to inform all Students as soon as possible before the course is due to start. Course fees paid will be reimbursed for any course that is cancelled. The Academy shall not accept liability for any consequential loss and shall have no liability to reimburse any other costs that may have been incurred, including transport costs, loss of income, accommodation etc.
Accreditation & Course Certification
The Event Academy Certificate, Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma courses are endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
Electronic course certificates will be issued after CIM grading
Students will be issued with a provisional grade that will be subject to CIM ratification
Expectations
You can expect the Academy to:
Provide you with the tuition and learning support associated with the course with reasonable care and skill.
Make reasonable efforts to deliver the course as described.
Provide information as soon as reasonably possible, such as a change in timetabling, location, assessment, hub access or schedule.
Provide clear information about the course and our expectations of what you need to achieve to complete the course successfully.
Return marked work in a timely manner by the deadlines stated by us.
Encourage a responsible learning environment.
Take reasonable care to keep your personal details secure at all times.
Act in a non-discriminatory way and to comply with statutory national legislation.
What we expect from you
Take responsibility for your own learning.
Keep yourself informed of all course information by use of The Academy’s communication platforms.
Not hinder the studies of others and pursue your studies diligently, contributing effectively to the course on which you are enrolled.
Attend all classes, project/group meetings and learning events associated with the course, subject to absence for medical or other agreed reasons.
Be aware of the information provided to you for the Course and know where to look for reference to detailed information and guidance, whether electronic or paper based.
Take reasonable care to ensure that the personal details the Academy holds about you, including your current address and personal email address, are accurate and updated as soon as they change. This will help us to contact you quickly, as and when needed.
Complete and submit, by the required deadlines, any work to be assessed as part of the course.
Respond to requests to give you feedback about your learning and other experiences at the Academy.
To conduct all course activity in a legal manner and avoid offensive or inappropriate language or behaviour that could impact on any other user.
Complete your exam on the day booked.
Pay your fees on time.
Termination
The relationship between the Student and the Academy will end if:
The Student decides to leave the Course; or
In the Academy’s opinion, the Student continually fails to meet the academic performance required to continue on the course.
Fees are not paid.
The Student’s placement company or organisation takes the decision to terminate their placement early due to poor performance, unreliable behaviour or absences.
The Academy becomes aware of information about the Student which, in the Academy’s opinion, makes it inappropriate for them to study on the Course.
In the Academy’s opinion the Student has failed to provide us with all relevant information, or have supplied false or misleading information, relating to their application for the Course.
Where the Student’s behaviour hinders the learning of others.
In the Academy’s opinion, the Student’s behaviour represents a significant risk to the health, safety or welfare of themselves or others.
The Student fails to attend more than 10% of their course (lectures, projects, venue visits, live events, group work etc).
If there is evidence of dishonesty or cheating
At the time of termination we shall be entitled to require a Student to stop studying on the Course with immediate effect and pay the balance of their fees.
Any action we take under the above provisions will not restrict our ability to take further action against a Student if we deem it appropriate.
Volunteering and paid opportunities
Volunteering opportunities are only shared by The Academy with the information provided by external organisations.
The Academy is not responsible for the accuracy of the information or the experience provided by the organisations offering volunteering opportunities
Any decision to volunteer is solely that of the Student and any agreements made, are between the company offering the volunteering position and the Student
Work Placements for Live Postgraduate Courses
The Academy guarantees a work placement for every Postgraduate Diploma Student who successfully completes their exam
The Academy aims to provide three interviews with companies offering work placements
If the Student, for whatever reason, does not complete their placement, The Academy is not responsible for securing an additional placement opportunity.
Work Placements for Live or Virtual Live Postgraduate Courses (not Online)
The Academy provides work placements for ‘Live’ and ‘Virtual’ Postgraduate students who successfully complete the exam
The Academy guarantees a work placement except in exceptional circumstances. In the event that The Academy is unable to arrange a placement within 12 months, the student will be entitled to a refund of £700
If the Student arranges their own work and or placements, no refund will be issued
If the Student, for whatever reason, does not complete their placement, the Academy is not responsible for securing an additional placement opportunity
Force Majeure
The Academy shall not be liable for the refund of fees or for any other penalty should Courses be cancelled or affected due to war, fire, industrial action, tempest, epidemic, pandemic, accident, civil disturbance or any other cause whatsoever beyond its control
Intellectual Property
All materials provided by The Academy, staff and lecturers of The Academy, remain the intellectual property of The Academy, who assert their right to worldwide copyright and all related rights, unless specifically agreed in writing
All intellectual property generated during a Student’s Course is owned by The Academy, this includes, but is not restricted to, Course materials, lecture notes, films and PowerPoint presentations
Data Protection
Personal information is retained in order to service our Students’ needs, including your name, contact details, course start date, eventual grade and records of communication.
This information is retained once you become an alumnus in order to: keep records of your achievements; update you on Academy news and provide you with other information that we think you will be interested in.
Photography & Film
We may photograph or film Lecturers and Students for internal identification and marketing purposes. These images may be used on our website, social media, in printed materials and partner channels. They will never be sold to third parties
Personal Property
- Students are responsible for the security of their own property.
Entire Agreement
These Terms and Conditions cannot be varied without the written agreement of the Academy Directors
Severability
If any part of these Terms and Conditions is found to be unenforceable as a matter of law, the enforceability of any other part of these Terms and Conditions will not be affected
The Academy reserves the right, at any time, to make changes to these Terms and Conditions
The Terms and Conditions are available on the Academy website
Statutory rights
These Terms and Conditions are in addition to your statutory rights as a consumer, which remain unaffected
Applicable law
Contracts formed between the Academy and Student shall be governed by English law