Professional Development Programmes - Terms and Conditions
Terms and Conditions
THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES
Terms and Conditions
Please read carefully. This document contains important information about your contract with the University, including: rules that apply to your conduct, behaviour and use of University services, circumstances when your programme at the University may be suspended, or terminate, and how changes might have to be made to our teaching or services in certain circumstances.
Contract with the University
1. The purpose of these Terms and Conditions is to set out the contractual basis for your relationship with the University, and to draw your attention to key terms.
2. Your contract with the University is made up of:
a. these Terms and Conditions,
b. the programme description and related information published on the relevant programme web page applicable to your enrolment (you should consider printing a copy of the programme web page as a record of the information provided),
c. the programme confirmation email from the programme administrator, and
d. the University’s Statutes and Regulations and Policies and rules and policies made under them (see paragraphs 5,6,7, and 8 below) (‘University’s Statutes and Regulations and Policies’).
3. You will enter into your contract with the University when you pay the required deposit towards the programme fees and any additional charges relating to your programme (if any) (for further details see paragraphs 10 to 14 below). Payment of the deposit secures your place on the programme, subject to availability and compliance with these Terms and Conditions.
4. You will enter into this contract with the University even if your fees are paid by a third party on your behalf.
Conditions of your contract with the University
5. By paying your fees you agree to comply with the University’s Statutes and Regulations and Policies as communicated to you (and as amended from time to time on the University webpage) and with the Statements and Codes of Policy, Practice and Procedure which are made under them. These include:
a. the University’s Code of Discipline under Statute XI;
b. other regulations concerning your studies, conduct, and behaviour including but not limited to regulations relating to harassment, the use of IT facilities, security or health and safety issues, and legislative requirements such as data protection.
c. any Health and Safety Instructions (“HSI") setting out standards of behaviour required of you during any pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. HSI means any University code, policy or guidance issued in such circumstances. If an HSI is in force you must comply with it as a condition of in-person access to teaching and facilities, and may be disciplined for non-compliance; and
d. the Faculty of Law (“Department”) policies and guidance as amended from time to time.
6. The Department’s webpage at Homepage | Faculty of Law contains links to the key Departmental and University policies which you need to be aware of and comply with.
7. You may be removed or suspended from the programme if the University considers that you are in breach of any of the University’s Statutes and Regulations and Policies made under them, such as the Code of Discipline, or if you are found to have breached any HSI e.g. during a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency). In the event that you are removed from the programme, and this contract is terminated, you will not be entitled to any refund of the Programme fees, or certificate of attendance.
8. You are only permitted to access or use University land, premises, facilities or services to the extent that this is applicable to your programme and for the academic, welfare, leisure or sporting purposes for which such premises, facilities or services have been provided, or for meetings and events for other purposes where section 6 of University’s Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech has been complied with. Misuse of, unauthorised access to or use of, or occupation of University land, premises, facilities or services, and/or activities which prevent or substantially limit or impede authorised access or use by University students or staff, or which attempt to do so, are not permitted and may result in your contract with the University being terminated immediately, and/or you being reported to the police and/or civil legal action against you.
Your responsibilities
9. It is your responsibility:
a. To act as a responsible member of the University’s community, including treating other members of the University’s community, and the public with courtesy and respect, and to behave in a manner consistent with the University’s Equality Policy.
b. To comply with any measures or instructions given by the University to reduce risk of transmission of any illness or to safeguard health during a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency, including any HSI (e.g. wearing a face-mask, using hand sanitiser or following distancing procedures, if required). You must also immediately declare to the Department if you have any serious and easily transmissible infectious illness (and the University will inform you if at any point they require students to declare Covid-19 infections).
c. To comply with all reasonable instructions from a member of the Department or other University staff for the duration of your programme (e.g. other health and safety requirements, confidentiality, use of devices in sessions and complying with licence terms relating to programme materials provided).
d. To attend all teaching sessions, arrive promptly, carry out all relevant preparation for programme sessions and engage fully with programme activities.
e. To comply with good academic practice, including following the University’s policies and guidance on conduct during assessments (if applicable), copyright or intellectual property rights of the programme materials, plagiarism, and conflicts of interest.
f. To behave in accordance with the University’s Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech.
g. To obtain an appropriate visa or immigration permission, if necessary, abide by any visa/immigration conditions including maximum permitted working hours and the types of work allowed and provide a copy of your visa/immigration status and passport page when requested by the Department. If your visa/immigration permission expires during your programme and you no longer have valid leave to remain in the UK, or have breached the terms of your student visa, the University may be required to inform UK Visas and Immigration. Failure to comply with these obligations may result in legal consequences for you under UK immigration law, which may affect your ability to complete your programme with the Department. Disciplinary action may also be taken if false or intentionally misleading statements or documents are provided to the University regarding visas or immigration status. Affected students are encouraged to seek support and information from the Department.
Fees and payment
10. Details of your programme fees and additional charges (if any) are expressed exclusive of VAT on the programme web page. You will pay VAT and any similar taxes in addition to the programme fees and any additional charges (if applicable).
11. A deposit is required to secure a place on the programme. The amount of the deposit will be specified on the programme web page, invoice, or registration materials. The deposit will be deducted from the total programme fee payable.
The deposit is refundable only if the participant exercises their right to cancel within the 14-day cancellation period described in paragraphs 16-18 below, and provided the programme has not commenced. After the expiry of the 14-day cancellation period, the deposit becomes non-refundable, except in exceptional circumstances or at the discretion of the University.
12. The remaining balance of the programme fee, together with any additional charges (if applicable), must be paid in full no later than four (4) weeks after you receive your offer letter. It is your responsibility to ensure that all fees are paid by the applicable deadlines, whether paid by you or by a third party on your behalf.
13. If the balance is not paid in full by the due date, the University reserves the right to cancel your place on the programme without further notice. In such circumstances, the University shall be entitled to retain the deposit and may offer the place to another participant.
14. You or a third party (paying fees on your behalf) may pay the deposit, programme fees and any additional charges through the ‘PAY’ link within the online registration process.
15. All payments must be made in GB Pounds Sterling. You must pay any currency conversion costs or other charges incurred in making the payment or in processing a refund.
Cancellations and refunds – within 14 days
16. You have the right to cancel your contract at any time within 14 days from the commencement of your contract ( “when you pay the required deposit under paragraph 3 above”). You will receive a full refund of payments you have made if the programme has not started.
17. If you choose a programme that is due to take place within 14 days of entering into your contract (inclusive) and then wish to cancel after the programme has started, you will be liable for the full programme fee. Any deposit already paid will be applied towards the total programme fee payable, and the balance will become immediately due and payable. No refund will be payable in respect of the programme fee.
18. To cancel within 14 days from the start of your contract please write to the programme administrator at pdp@law.ox.ac.uk; or, alternatively, by post to: The Faculty of Law, University of Oxford, St Cross Building, St Cross Road, Oxford, OX1 3UL, United Kingdom explaining your reason for requesting the cancellation or transfer, details of the programme you are cancelling and your invoice number reference. You may use the cancellation form provided with the acknowledgement email if you wish, but you are not obliged to do so.
Cancellations and refunds – after 14 days
19. If you cancel your place on the programme after the expiry of the 14-day cancellation period but before the balance payment due date, the deposit will be non-refundable, but no further programme fees will be payable.
20. If you cancel your place on the programme after the balance payment due date, you will not be entitled to a refund of the deposit or any programme fees paid, except in exceptional circumstances or at the discretion of the University. If a refund is made, an administration fee may be charged.
21. If you are no longer able to attend, you may substitute with someone else, provided the substitute student meets the required programme requirements, has been informed and is willing to comply with the conditions of this contract.
22. To cancel or use a substitute after the 14 days of your contract starting, please write to us as early as possible, preferably by email pdp@law.ox.ac.uk; or, alternatively, by post to: The Faculty of Law, University of Oxford, St Cross Building, St Cross Road, Oxford, OX1 3UL, United Kingdom. Your request should clearly state the name of your programme, invoice number reference, reasons for your request and any other relevant details such as your substitute information (names, position in your organisation, contact details).
Cancellation by us
23. Where there are good reasons to do so the University may at its discretion cancel your programme by giving you notice in writing at any time if the number of students registered is below the minimum quota as advertised on the programme webpage, or circumstances fall within paragraphs 28 and/or 30. The University will endeavour to offer a new date or an alternative format if practical and acceptable to you, subject to payment or refund of any difference in the programme fees and additional charges (if any), but if no acceptable alternative can be offered the University will refund all fees and any additional charges already paid by you (or by your third party).
24. The University’s liability when it cancels your programme will be limited to a refund of any fees or additional charges already paid by you for the cancelled programme. For partial cancellation of your programme, such refunds will be made on a proportionate basis, subject to the specific paragraphs at 28, 29 and 30 below applicable to circumstances connected to a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. Consideration of whether any refunds are applicable, and the level of any refunds, will take into account the fact that the Department’s programmes that include elements which are usually provided face to face or in person (e.g. field trips and study tours) are subsidised by fees received across the whole Department.
Changes to programmes – general provisions
25. The University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver each programme in accordance with the description set out on the programme web page.
26. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in programme provision, either before or after your registration. The University therefore reserves the right to:
a. make reasonable changes to the timetable, location, facilities, services or academic staff specified for a programme;
b. make reasonable changes to the content of the programme; and
27. You will be notified by the programme administrator in advance of your programme if there are any changes to the provision of your programme.
Changes as a result of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency
28. In addition to paragraph 26 above, where a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency necessitating measures to reduce risk of infection or illness arises or has already arisen, the University may make reasonable changes to comply with government or local authority regulations or guidance, and/or its own health and safety advice and/or to ensure the health and safety of its staff, students and third parties and/or to respond to consequential staffing or resource constraints. If it makes such changes the University will inform you and will ensure that the key learning outcomes of your programme are still provided. The University will also provide broadly equivalent teaching and assessment services, and key University services by alternative means, if reasonably possible, although the manner of delivery may need to change. Examples of possible changes under this paragraph 28 are explained in the Changes to Programmes Policy (which applies to all programmes offered by the Department).
29. Subject to paragraph 28, the University will not be liable for any indirect or consequential losses or expenses you may incur (e.g. travel or accommodation costs) as a result of any such pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency measures. This means there will be no refunds, discounts, damages or waivers of programme fees or additional charges payable to you where changes or delays have resulted from the University’s obligation to comply with government or local authority order, regulations, guidance, and the University’s own health and safety advice, and/or staffing or resource shortage which has been caused by, or are in relation to a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency necessitating measures to reduce risk of infection or illness.
Events beyond the University’s control
30. The University will not be in breach nor liable to you for any failure or delay in performing any of its obligations under this contract, if the failure or delay results from events or circumstances or causes beyond the University’s reasonable control. Such as a pandemic, an epidemic or a local health emergency necessitating measures to reduce risk of infection or illness; industrial action; acts of God; acts of terrorism; government order or law; action by any governmental authority; the unanticipated departure or absence of key members of University staff; or failure or delay by third party suppliers and subcontractors. In such circumstances, the University will take reasonable steps to mitigate the impact on you and to restore teaching and services. This paragraph30 is not intended to restrict any legal rights where doing so would be unlawful (e.g. under consumer law).
Personal data
31. The University will collect and use your information about you in accordance with the principles set out in the University’s Student Privacy Policy on the University website. This includes ensuring that your data will only be used in a way which is fair, lawful and secure.
32. You are entitled to exercise any of the rights as set out in the University’s Student Privacy Policy by contacting the University Information Compliance Team at data.protection@admin.ox.ac.uk
Complaints procedure
33. If you have a complaint, you should contact the programme administrator at pdp@law.ox.ac.uk
Termination
34. Your contract with the University will end in the following circumstances:
- when you finish your programme or if you cancel or withdraw from your programme and so cease to be a current student;
- if the University exercises its right to cancel or terminate your programme under paragraphs 7,8, and 22 above;
- if you cease to be a current student as a result of a University or Department procedure, such as a disciplinary procedure; or
- if you fail to comply with paragraph 5 above.
35. The following terms will survive termination of your contract with the University for any reason:
a. terms relating to personal data as described at paragraph 31 above; and
b. terms relating to University procedures to the extent that they relate to events that occurred prior to termination including the complaints procedure, the disciplinary procedure, the harassment procedure and/or the academic integrity in research procedure.
Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999
36. A person who is not a party to this contract shall have no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any of its provisions.
Jurisdiction
37. Your contract with the University and any dispute arising from it (including non-contractual disputes) shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales and shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.