Your consumer rights

Find out about the information a course provider is required to give you, before you make a decision about accepting an offer of a place.

Information you need to have

To help you make an informed decision about accepting an offer of a place on a course or training programme, the course provider is required to make information available to you under consumer protection legislation. You can find out more about this on the Competition and Markets Authority website.

This should include information about:

  • the course, including the title, duration, core modules, and an indication of likely optional modules. It should also include the award to be received on completion of the course, whether the course is accredited e.g. by a professional, statutory and regulatory body and, if different from the course provider, which organisation accredits the degree programme or course
  • costs, including tuition fees and other relevant costs such as for field trips or specialist equipment required for the course
  • how to make payments to the course provider
  • their complaints handling process
  • your right to cancel your contract with them should you change your mind about accepting their offer
  • the course provider’s terms and conditions, as well as rules and regulations regarding student conduct, which explain your rights and obligations to the course provider and their obligations to you, as a student at their institution

You should read and understand this information before making a decision about accepting an offer. It’s important you check this information in light of the changes providers are making due to coronavirus, to  make sure the course and provider is still right for you. This information is likely to form the terms and conditions of the contract between you and the course provider, if you enrol on their course.

If you have not received this information, or if you are not clear about the information you have received, you should contact the course provider to ask for further advice.

A word of warning: This information only applies to students who are ‘consumers’ under consumer law. Generally speaking, if you are acting for purposes outside your trade, business, or profession, you will be considered a ‘consumer’. See our information on what you can do if things go wrong for organisations that can give you further advice on whether you are a ‘consumer’ under consumer law.