Terms & conditions 2009 - 10

You can also download the Terms and Conditions as a PDF.

Once an enrolment is accepted by Embassy, the following conditions become legally binding:

1. Payment of Fees

Full fees must be paid before visa documents are issued and no later than 14 days before arrival. Transfers, accommodation or tuition details will not be confirmed unless full payment has been received. For all late payments made after the due date, a fee of 2% of the payment amount will be added.

The company reserves the right to change details of its services, including courses, facilities and course dates, where circumstances beyond the company's control necessitate such changes or where the number of enrolments is not enough to operate a course viably.

Most courses require minimum levels of English for entry - see each course page for details. If after the placement test, a student is found to be below the minimum level required to start the course, the school reserves the right to place the student in a class with fewer lessons and a different curriculum. Students may be transferred to the nearest school running a lower level course.
What is my level of English?

4. Changes to Enrolments

The company reserves the right to charge an Administration Fee (GB £50; US $80; AU $200; NZ $240) each time course or accommodation details are changed or cancelled after a place has been confirmed. This fee will not apply to upgraded or extended courses.

5. Changes to Airport Transfers

Notification of change to airport transfers must be sent to our Admissions Centre at least two full working days prior to the designated arrival time. If notice is not received, an additional administration fee will apply.

Every student must have appropriate insurance. The company recommends that all students take our own StudyCare insurance which is tailored to the needs of international students. Cover under the StudyCare insurance policy does not commence until the insurance fees have been paid in full. StudyCare is not available to students within Australia.

In the USA, NZ and the UK, students not wishing to take StudyCare must present an equivalent insurance certificate on arrival. Students without insurance must take StudyCare.

In the USA, StudyCare is mandatory for students taking the Internship and English Plus programmes.

In New Zealand, having appropriate and current travel and medical insurance is compulsory for all students. This is a requirement of the New Zealand Ministry of Education under the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students.

a) Students without adequate insurance or insufficient evidence of insurance will have StudyCare Insurance added to their programme invoice.
b) Students may purchase international insurance from their home country as long as it covers the minimum prescribed insurance requirements as detailed in the Code of Practice. Students must submit a translated copy for verification to the school before arrival. Copies of the Code can be found on the Ministry of Education website.

c) Most international students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand. If a student receives medical treatment during a visit, they will be liable for the full costs of that treatment. See the New Zealand Ministry of Health website.  The Accident Compensation Corporation provides accident insurance for all New Zealand citizens, residents and temporary visitors to New Zealand, but a student may still be liable for all other medical and related costs.

In Australia, it is compulsory for those on Student Visas to take Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of the time they are in Australia. Students need to buy OSHC before coming to Australia, to cover them from when they arrive. This ensures you have adequate health care arrangements whilst you are studying in Australia. If you choose for Embassy to arrange OSHC for the first course/year only of your programme, you agree and warrant to Embassy that you will either extend or take out OSHC for the rest of your time in Australia. You must provide evidence of cover for the entire study period before a Confirmation of Enrolment will be issued.

If a student's visa application is rejected after payment has been received then their full tuition and accommodation fees will be refunded within 28 days, provided a visa refusal letter is received by our Admissions Centre at least 2 days before the course is due to start.

Students in San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco must sign a California State Enrolment & Refund Agreement form. Refunds will be processed according to these terms and conditions.

In Australia, this agreement, and the availability of complaints and appeals processes, does not remove the right of the student to take action under Australia's consumer protection laws. Refunds will be provided to students within 28 days if the student defaults and within 14 days if the school defaults.

In the unlikely event that the school is unable to deliver your course in full, you will be offered a refund of all the course money you have paid to date. The refund will be paid to you within 14 days of the day on which the course ceased being provided. Alternatively, you may be offered enrolment in a suitable alternative course by the school at no extra cost to you. You have the right to choose whether you would prefer a full refund of course fees, or to accept a place on another course. If you choose placement on another course, we will ask you to sign a document to indicate that you accept the placement.

If the school is unable to provide a refund or place you on an alternative course our Tuition Assurance Scheme (TAS) provider will place you on a suitable alternative course at no extra cost to you. Finally, if the TAS provider cannot place you in a suitable alternative course, the ESOS Assurance Fund Manager will attempt to place you on a suitable alternative course or, if this is not possible, you will be eligible for a refund as calculated by the Fund Manager.

8. Cancellation policy

Embassy defines cancellation as the period prior to the start of the first course. All cancellations must be made in writing to our Admissions Centre and the following refund policies apply:

Any Enrolment Fee, Courier Fee, Accommodation Placement Fee, Airport Transfer Fee, and StudyCare or OHSC premium will not be refunded for any student cancelling their course before arrival.

a) In the UK and USA: Where cancellations are received in writing more than 14 days before the start of the first course start date, 100% of the tuition fees will be refunded, but any Courier Fee and the Enrolment Fee are non-refundable. Where cancellations are received in writing 14 days or less prior to the first course start date, students will be charged GB £190 (UK) or US $350 (USA).

b) In Australia (except Perth), students will be charged the Enrolment Fee plus 30% of tuition fees if cancelling prior to the start of their course.

c) In Perth only, students will be charged 10% of the semester fees or AUS $1000 (whichever is the lesser) for cancellations made more than 10 weeks before the start date, and 30% if less than 10 weeks but more than 4, and 60% if 4 weeks or less. If the enrolment is for 10 weeks or less and is cancelled within 4 weeks before the start date no refund will be given. (For this purpose, a semester is a maximum of 20 weeks.)

d) In New Zealand, students will be refunded tuition fees in full, less the Enrolment Fee.

Accommodation Refunds before Arrival

a) Students cancelling their accommodation less than 7 days before arrival will be charged one week's accommodation.

b) For cancellations less than 48 hours before arrival, 4 weeks' accommodation will be charged, or the full accommodation fee if the booking is less than 4 weeks in duration.

9. Withdrawal policy

Embassy defines withdrawal as termination of a course after the first coure has started. Any withdrawal must be made in writing to the Principal of the school where you are studying.

Enrolment Fee, Courier Fee, Accommodation Placement Fee, and StudyCare or OHSC premium will not be refunded for any student cancelling their course after arrival.

Tuition refunds after arrival

Written notification of withdrawal must be provided as a condition for making refunds. If a student breaches the visa conditions, no refund of the semester fees will be made (except Perth).

USA Refunds are calculated from the last day of attendance.

a) For courses of four weeks or less, no refund will apply.

b) For courses longer than four weeks, students who terminate in the first four weeks will be refunded all tuition fees except four weeks at the non-discounted (Certificate of English) rate.

c) For courses longer than four weeks, students who withdraw after the first four weeks but before the midpoint of their course, Embassy will retain a pro-rated amount of tuition at the non-discounted (Certificate of English) rate.

d) For students who terminate after the midpoint, Embassy will retain all tuition charges. 

UK and Australia (except Perth)

No tuition fees will be refunded to students who leave after the course has started. When a student has enrolled in multiple locations/courses, the course start date for the purpose of this clause is that of the initial Embassy course.

Perth
In Perth only, if a student cancels a course of 10 weeks or more duration within the first 4 weeks, a withdrawal fee of 70% of semester fees will be charged. All other terminations will incur a 100% cancellation fee. Where a student's course of study is terminated for a serious breach of the school rules and regulations, or a breach of visa conditions, there will be no refund of that semester's fees.

If you have paid for two or more semesters in advance, you will receive no refund of that semester's fees, and a refund of 40% of the next semester's fees. Any fees paid for further semesters will be refunded in full.

New Zealand

a) For courses of one to 34 days' duration, if you withdraw within the first two days of the course, you will receive 50% of the total fees you have paid. If you withdraw after the first two days, no refund is made.

b) For courses of 35 days to 3 months duration, if you withdraw within the first five days of the course, you will receive 75% of the total fees you have paid. If you withdraw after the first five days, no refund is made.

c) For courses greater than 3 months, if written notice of termination is received by the end of the eighth day of the course, a termination fee of the lesser of NZD 500 or 10% of tuition will apply. Students terminating after this period will not receive a refund.

a) Students leaving their accommodation must give at least 4 weeks' notice in writing. In the USA, students who book discounted longterm accommodation must give 8 weeks' notice in writing. After deducting the price of accommodation used, including the required notice period, charged at the standard accommodation rate, accommodation fees in excess of the accommodation period will then be refunded. For Diploma courses, accommodation fees are calculated as total course fees minus tuition.

b) In Australia and NZ, a 10% withdrawal fee will be deducted from the balance. In the USA, an administration charge of US $80 will be charged.

Students should contact their local embassy, Consulate or High Commission to ensure they are allowed to enter and study in their chosen country. See the links on our Visas page.

For students wishing to study in the USA, Embassy is authorised under Federal Law to enrol non-immigrant students. By law, to issue the I-20 form, with the Enrolment Form, we must receive:

• the student's home address
• proof of sufficient funds to meet tuition and living expenses
• a current bank statement or a letter from your bank
• a letter guaranteeing support from your parent or employer or sponsor
• a notarised affidavit of support

No visa support documentation will be provided until all fees have been received.

Schools will be closed on public holidays. All students in the USA and UK (excluding those on Diploma package courses) in Homestay accommodation over the Christmas and New Year two week period will be charged a seasonal supplement of GB £50/ US $100 per week. Discounted Diploma accommodation packages include accommodation during all vacation periods and no seasonal supplements are required.

Dates for Diploma/Academic Year Courses include the following vacation periods between terms:

2009: Mar 21st-Apr 5th, Jun 20th-Jul 5th, Sept 19th-27th, Dec 12th - Jan 3rd 2010

2010: Mar 20th - Apr 4th , Jun 19th - Jul 4th , Sept 18th - Sept 26th.

In the event of a dispute between an individual student and the school, procedures are in place to facilitate the resolution of the dispute. Any complaint should first be made to the student's Embassy Principal. Each complaint will be fully investigated provided that it is received within one month of the course ending and all fees have been paid. If the matter is not resolved, the student should complain in writing to the local Embassy Head Office (see our address here). In Australia, if the student remains dissatisfied with the outcome, they may seek independent external mediation through the Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators Australia (IAMA) or Office of Fair Trading in their state.

For Perth enrolments only, the Western Australian Department of Education Services also provides, free of charge, the services of an independent conciliator to assist in dispute resolution. 

Embassy and its staff and representatives will not be liable for loss, damage or injury to persons or property howsoever caused, except where liability is expressly imposed by law. Embassy will not be liable in the event that any service contracted to be supplied by Embassy becomes impossible to supply for any reason or any cause outside the control of Embassy.

Prices on this website are valid for courses starting after 1st January 2010. Thereafter, Embassy reserves the right to change them without notice.

Embassy reserves the right to expel or evict from accommodation any student whose conduct is unsatisfactory at the discretion of the Principal. In UK, USA and NZ, that decision is final. No fees will be refunded in such cases and any unpaid fees become payable immediately. In Australia, a student has the right to appeal against such a decision and details of that process are available from the school.

Students and their parents or guardian, where applicable,  agree to pay the tuition fees and other charges applicable for the course on the due dates. It is understood and agreed that failure to do this may result in suspension from the program and cancellation of the enrolment.

Students and their parents or guardians, where applicable, agree that the student's photo, quotes and details of achievements may be used for promotional purposes (printed and online) without written consent or notification.

Any information provided to Embassy may be held on computer and shall be used in accordance with its data protection registration and the national data protection laws applicable. See our privacy policy.

ESOS framework: The Australian Government wants overseas students in Australia to have a safe, enjoyable and rewarding place to study. Australia's laws promote quality education and consumer protection for overseas students. These laws are knows as the ESOS Framework and they include the Education Services for Overseas (ESOS) Act 2000 and the National Code. If you have any concerns about any of these matters after you arrive at Embassy, please contact your Principal.

Information provided may be made available to Commonwealth and State agencies and the Fund Manager of the ESOS Assurance Fund, pursuant to obligations under the ESOS Act 2000 and the National Code.

Each student is obliged to notify the registered provider of a change of address while enrolled in the course. All courses offering fewer than 24 lessons (20 hours) per week are open to non student visa holders only.

Provider Name: Study Group Australia Pty Ltd
CRICOS Provider Codes:
01682E (NSW) - Sydney
01755D (QLD) - Brisbane, Gold Coast
01963G (WA) - Perth
Provider Name: Taylors Institute of Advanced Studies
CRICOS Provider Codes
01160J (VIC) - Melbourne

Any school-aged dependants accompanying overseas students to Australia will be required to pay full fees if they are enrolled in either a government or non-government school.

Average living expenses:
Sydney and Melbourne:  AUS $15,000.00 per year
New Zealand:  NZ $10,000.00 - NZ $12,000.00 per year
Gold Coast, Brisbane and Perth: AU $12,000.00 per year

Students studying in Queensland who are concerned about the conduct of a provider may contact officers of the Queensland Department of Education; the Chief Executive of that Department has power under the Education (Overseas Students) Act to suspend or cancel the registration of a provider or a course within that state. On acceptance of enrolment by the Embassy, the Application for Admissions form will become the Contract of Enrolment.

19. Further Information: New Zealand

Protection of Student Fees: Fees paid by students will be fully protected by a Bank Guarantee and cash held by an independent Trustee. In the unlikely event of the school closing prior to the conclusion of courses, school fees will be refunded on a pro-rata basis by the trustee.
If students experience difficulty with procedures in New Zealand they may contact the Qualifications Authority at PO Box 160, Wellington. Telephone +64 4 802 3000.

Code of Practice: Embassy has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students published by the Minister of Education. Copies of the Code are available on request from this institution or from the New Zealand Ministry of Education website.

Immigration: Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service.

The Code of Practice also establishes that IEAA and the Review Panel receive and adjudicate on student complaints. Their email address is: info.ieaa[@]minedu.govt.nz (remove the brackets from the @ sign).

Each student must notify the school of any change to their contact details, accommodation type, and residential address.

20. Further information: USA

For students travelling as unaccompanied minors on flights to and from the United States, a one-way US $200 unaccompanied minor airport service fee will be charged.

21. Further information: UK

Embassy schools are registered with the UKBA Register of Sponsors, and their sponsor licence numbers are as follows: Brighton: B702QNNG1; Cambridge: 8V1P5MAW1; Hastings: 5EGJXG2B9; London: A9P6TFYGX; Oxford 2GXTF1G72.

22. Force Majeure

Embassy is not liable in the event where it is unable to fulfil any service to which it is contractually bound because of fire, natural disaster, acts of government, failure of suppliers or subcontractors, labour disputes or other reasons which are outside its control.

23. Agents

All the above terms are applicable to direct students and agents unless variations are expressly agreed between the agent and Embassy or their parent company, Study Group, in writing.