School Rules
1. All students must be on time for classes. Students arriving more than 5 minutes late for any class are marked ‘late’ on the register. Students who arrive more than 15 minutes late will not be permitted to enter the class (Persistently late students risk losing their places in the class.)
2. Students must switch off their mobile phones in class.
3. Students must attend at least 80% of their classes.
4. Holidays must be authorised by the Academic Manager or School Manager.
5. If you are sick, you must inform the school as soon as possible, by phone or email to info@albaenglish.co.uk
6. Students must be prepared to work with students of different genders and cultural backgrounds.
7. Students who continually break the rules of the school or are continually disruptive in class will receive a warning letter which will be sent to their agent and sponsor. If this continues the school may ask them to leave the course with NO refund.
All Bookings
Prices and Payments
When a booking is made with the School, the contract is confirmed when written confirmation is received or when the first payment has been received, whichever is the sooner.
When booking in advance, a 30% deposit is payable when a booking is made, and the balance is due 28 days before the start of the course (or immediately after in the case of a late booking less than 28 days before the start of the course).
For students opting for the “pay-monthly” system, the contract is confirmed when the first payment is made. Any bank charges incurred when making payments through other means other than our website or flywire account must be paid by the student or their representative.
Future payments of “pay-monthly” courses can be cancelled at any time with at least three working days’ notice before the next payment is due. Cancellations can be made via the WorldPay website using the login details supplied by WorldPay when the agreement is made.
All payments must be in UK pounds sterling (GBP). You can pay by bank transfer or credit/debit card. Note that at present, cash payments are not accepted due to COVID-19.
The School reserves the right to change the prices of courses and accommodation.
Winter offer & Low Season Discount
We offer a 20% Discount on tuition fees from 1st of November 2023 – 31st of March 2024.
The offer can be used on the course tuition fees only.
This offer cannot be combined with any other special offer. The discount is applicable on daytime courses only (15 hours per week minimum). This offer can only be used for individual bookings (a maximum of five students per booking).
VISA Support Letter
If you need a visa support letter to obtain your visa, please note that this letter will only be issued and sent after 14 days has expired to avoid the misuse of visas and to ensure this is a serious application. We will apply a VISA Application Booking Fee of £100.
Cancellation Policy
You have a legal right to cancel your course within 14 calendar days of the date of your booking. In this case, we will refund all fees including the deposit. If you have made your booking within 14 calendar days of the start date, the cancellation fees listed above will apply.
Courses cancelled within the first 7 days of the contract: Full refunds are given (less transaction and exchange charges).
Courses cancelled more than 28 days before the start of the course: The School retains only the Deposit. All other sums of money paid will be refunded (less transaction and exchange charges).
Courses cancelled 28 – 7 days before the start of the course: The School retains 50% of the total course price.
Courses cancelled less than 7 days before the start of the course: The School retains 100% of the total course price.
Should a course be cancelled due to visa refusal, all fees will be refunded less transaction, exchange charges and a £100 VISA Application Booking Fee
Refunds, Moving or Changing Classes
Refunds are only given in exceptional circumstances or if the School is unable to provide the course as described and is entirely at the discretion of the school.
Classes cannot be transferred to another person or exchanged for private classes and missed classes cannot be refunded.
Classes not taken cannot be move forward into future weeks without the consent of the School. Exceptions may be made in the case of severe illness, holidays, finding a job or a family bereavement but this is at the discretion of the School.
Please ensure that you are adequately insured in case you need to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances.
Please tell the School as soon as possible, in writing, if a cancelation is necessary. The School will confirm in writing that the cancelation has been received. It may be possible to transfer the course to another date. However, this depends on availability and is entirely at the discretion of the School.
Please put any requests for changes to courses in writing. Changes are subject to availability and are at the discretion of the School.
Changes to Student Details
The School must be advised of any change in student details (such as telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, address, etc.).
Changes to Courses
Details of the courses outlined on the the School website and other publicity materials are given in good faith. However, courses and timetables may change from time to time. The School reserves the right to change the details of courses when events beyond our control make it necessary to do so, or where the level of bookings received does not reach the minimum number needed to run a course. If the School is unable to provide a suitable alternative, a full refund for the part of the classes concerned will be given.
If we believe that a student needs extra support the school has the right to convert group classes into private classes reducing the length of the course.
Due to staff shortatges or low student numbers (less than 3 students in a class) the school has the right to merge classes only if it’s appropriate to do it.
If you are the only student enrolled in the course, we will offer you one morning class instead of two morning classes. If you are the only student attending our small group course in the afternoons we will offer a 60-minute class instead of a 90-minute class.
Liability for Losses
The School is fully covered by Public Liability Insurance, Employment Insurance and Business Insurance. However, The School does not accept any liability for the loss or damage to any of your property.
The School accepts no responsibility for losses or additional expenses that might be incurred in the event of cancellation or delays of travel services or as a result of events and action that the School cannot control such as, but not limited to: strikes, disasters, war or the threat of war, acts of terrorism, quarantine, weather, sickness or any other event outside the control of the company. Nothing in these conditions is intended to exclude or limit the School’s liability to the Student or their representative for fraud or for death or personal injury caused by any act or omission by the School or its employees (providing they were at the time acting within the course of their duties).
Force Majeure
In the event of ‘force majeure’, such as fire, flooding, pandemic, infectious diseases and other events outside our reasonable control which may cause the closure of the school, no refund of fees will be made to students, except at the school’s discretion in exceptional circumstances.
Complaints
Please make any complaint in writing. The School takes all complaints seriously and the School will do its best to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of the student or their representative. Please put complaints in writing as soon as possible to help the School deal with the complaint quickly.
Photography
Images of students taken during the course may be used by the School for promotional material such as the school website. If the student, or the student’s legal guardian (in the case of under 18s) does not wish the student’s image to be used in this way, the School must be informed in writing prior to the start of the course.
Leaving the School
If a student needs to leave the course before it is finished, any refund is entirely at the discretion of the School and the advance purchase of adequate insurance is strongly advised.
The School reserves the right to remove students with unacceptable or offensive behaviour without giving a refund.
All students must adhere to the School’s Code of Conduct available from the school reception.
Why do you need a student travel insurance cover and what should it cover?
Please arrange adequate insurance to cover your course fees in case you need to cancel for health or other personal reasons.
We recommend that you have international student travel insurance when you study English in the UK so you can relax and enjoy your time studying. Insurance can protect you if you lose your passport, need to end your course early due to illness, or if you need medical care while you are studying in the UK.
We recommend that you have an insurance policy that covers the cost of:
- Replacing a lost passport or visa
- Replacing luggage that is lost or stolen
- Course fees, if you need to end your course early due to illness or accident
- Medical bills in the UK if you are ill or have an accident
- Emergency dental treatment
- Returning home for medical reasons (this is called repatriation)
We’ve selected top providers to make it easy for you to book. Choose from medical coverage, cancellation fee coverage, or a combination. Protect yourself from passport loss, medical issues, or ending your course early due to illness. Book here: https://studentinsurancefinder.com/albaenglish/customer/home
Accommodation
Please read these terms and conditions carefully before deciding to book your homestay with us. By booking, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. Please note that homestays are organised by our partner Host International.
Booking & Payment:
1.1. All bookings must be made in advance and are subject to availability. Minimum 7-days notice. Otherwise, you will be asked to postpone your starting date by one week.
1.2. Full payment is required upon booking to secure your place.
- Cancellation Policy:
2.1. A minimum of 2-weeks notice is required for cancellations prior to arrival.
2.2. All accommodation bookings once confirmed and after arrival, are non refundable. The same applies if you have to shorten your stay – payment is non refundable.
2.3. No shows, failure to arrive or postponement incurs charges in full from the booking date and payment is non refundable
2.4. In cases where valid reasons for cancellation are provided (as described in section 3), refunds will be processed accordingly.
2.5. If you did not request or mention allergies related to pets/food prior to your booking and choose to change your homestay due to this, a new booking fee will be applicable should you wish for us to find a new homestay.
3. Valid Reasons for Cancellation when providing clear evidence:
The following reasons are deemed valid for cancelling your homestay:
3.1. Verbal abuse, including excessive shouting or swearing directed towards the guest.
3.2. Any form of racial, ethnic, or other forms of discriminatory remarks or actions towards the guest.
3.3. Any form of physical harm or threat of physical harm towards the guest.
3.4. Persistent breach of the guest’s privacy.
3.5. Any form of harassment or inappropriate behavior directed towards the guest.
NOTE: Displeasure with the location of the homestay or the type/quality of food provided is NOT considered a valid reason for cancellation or change of family.
- Responsibilities of the Guest:
4.1. Guests are expected to respect the customs, rules, and routines of the host family.
4.2. Guests should communicate any concerns or discomforts to the host family directly, and if unresolved, inform our office as soon as possible.
- Limitation of Liability:
5.1. While we aim to ensure that all host families provide a safe and welcoming environment, we cannot be held liable for any personal injury, loss, or damage which may be sustained during your stay.
- Complaints:
6.1. Any complaints or concerns about your homestay experience should be communicated to our office immediately by filling out our complaint form. We will do our best to address and resolve the issue in a timely manner.
- Amendments:
We reserve the right to modify or replace these terms and conditions at any time. It is the responsibility of the guest to regularly check and understand these terms.
By booking your homestay, you agree to abide by these terms and conditions. Thank you for choosing our service. We hope you have a memorable and enriching homestay experience.
Scottish Law
This contract is governed by Scottish law and any matters arising out of it shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Courts of Scotland.
Additional Terms for Bookings Including Homestay Accommodation
For cancellations, notify in writing at least two weeks before arrival, a full refund of accommodation fees will be provided, except for the accommodation arrangement fee. If the student wishes to cancel their accommodation less than two weeks before arrival or after they have arrived, they must give the school four weeks’ notice in writing.
If the student wishes to stay extra nights and/or invite a friend to stay, this will be at the discretion of the homestay host.
Students must follow the Guidance for Homestay Students. Failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of their homestay provision without a refund. Any breakages caused by the student during their stay must be paid for by the student. The School cannot be held responsible for any loss, damage or injury caused to either party or property during the stay.
The Terms and Conditions detailed under “All Bookings” above apply.
Additional Terms for Bookings for Students Under the Age of 18
A legal guardian of the student must complete a Parental Consent Form. Students, legal guardians and Edinburgh Guardians must all read and agree to adhere to the safety and behaviour guidance issued at the start of the course. Failure to do so may result in the student being removed from the course and homestay without notice and without a refund.
By attending a course at the School, students (including those aged 16 and 17) agree that the person named as their legal guardian, emergency contact or Edinburgh Guardian may be contacted without their prior agreement. Edinburgh Guardians must be willing to allow the School’s Safeguarding Lead or Deputy Safeguarding Lead to visit the student’s place of residence during their course to allow them to fulfil their child protection and safeguarding roles adequately.
The Terms and Conditions detailed under “All Bookings” and “Bookings Including Homestay Accommodation” above apply.
All stakeholders involved in the care of under 18s at the School must adhere to the School’s Safeguarding Policy. Click here to download the Full Safeguarding Policy. Click here to download a Child Protection Concerns or Disclosures/Allegations Report Form.