Terms and Conditions
Important
In these Terms and Conditions, ‘we’ or ‘us’ means Study Group Ireland Limited (‘Study Group’). Study Group is the owner and provider of the Dublin International Study Centre (the ‘Centre’). Study Group is registered in Ireland with the Companies Registration Office (company no. 708206) with its registered office at Riverside Two, 43-49 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, D02 KV60. Its place of business is at Newstead Building Block A, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 K3H4. References to the ‘University’ are to University College Dublin.
Please ensure you read these Terms and Conditions carefully and understand them before signing your final acceptance of a place at the Centre. These Terms and Conditions, along with any offer letter received from us and the policies referred to below form part of a wider agreement between you and us which will become legally binding once you confirm your acceptance of our offer.
This website's Terms and Conditions were updated on 20 November 2023.
Application and confirmation payment
If your application is accepted, a written offer of a place will be made. To accept this offer a confirmation payment is required comprising a non-refundable administration fee of €260 and €1,000 security/disbursements deposit are payable. You will also be required to pay €6,000 in advance tuition fees before you apply for your student visa. Please note that certain territories are deemed high risk for the issuance of a visa. If your territory is considered high risk, you may be required to pay a higher amount in respect of advance fees. Details will be set out in the individual payment plan attached to your offer letter. Non-payment by the fee deadline may put your place at risk and we reserve the right not to enrol you if you have failed to make the appropriate payments in accordance with your payment plan. You will be required to pay the balance of the first two terms’ fees along with the accommodation fees (if applicable) no later than 28 days prior to your programme start date.
Important: In addition to the fees above, all students enrolled on a programme at the Centre must take out Learner Protection Insurance.
Further details about this insurance, the costs involved and the terms attached to it can be found at the following link: https://www.dublinisc.com/learner-protection
The issuance of a student visa is subject to meeting certain criteria including, but not limited to, your financial status and, in some cases, a satisfactory interview. Please note that all payments made prior to a visa application (except for the non-refundable €235 administration fee) are refundable in the event that you are unable to meet visa entry requirements, subject to receipt of an official visa rejection letter. Such payments will be refunded within 20 days of receipt of the official visa rejection letter. No refunds will be made where a visa is rejected on the basis of fraud.
The security deposit is primarily held against any damages incurred to Centre property and related expenses. If, at the end of a programme, there are any monies left these may also be offset against debts incurred by you in relation to expenses such as programme-related travel or extra-curricular activities, otherwise an invoice will be issued for any damages/outstanding fees in excess of the deposit. Any monies left will be refunded within 90 days of completion of the final term less any deductions made for any amount outstanding at that time.
Blended learning and technology requirements
Please note that you will learn through a mixture of as many live teacher-led classes as possible, as well as interactive activities and resources delivered in a virtual learning environment (‘blended learning’).
To access course materials on a Learning Management System/Virtual Learning Environment or platform and undertake assessments, it is important that you come prepared with the appropriate technology. While it is possible to access and interact with most course content using tablets and smartphones such as iPads, iPhones and Android devices, these devices will NOT work for assessments. Therefore you must have a PC or Mac based computer available for use. Please note that Linux and Chromebooks are not supported.
Minimum recommended specifications:
PC:
- A Microsoft windows-based PC with at least 4GB RAM and 200 MB available free disk space (laptop or desktop, preferably running Windows 10 or 11)
- Web browser: Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge (Chromium version)
Mac:
- An Apple Mac OS 10.12 and above based laptop or desktop with at least 4GB RAM and 200 MB available free disk space
- Web browser: Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge (Chromium version)
Online teaching sessions will be recorded and you will be reminded of this at the beginning of your course and before each session until the last date of admission to a programme. You may at any time tell us that you do not wish to be recorded by notifying the relevant member of staff. Please note that if you do not consent to the recording of an assessment, this may adversely affect your right to appeal and/or the outcome of any later appeal.
Deferral, Cancellation and Refund Policy
You may defer your programme prior to commencing your study by using the following link:
https://www.studygroup.com/request-deferral
You have a right to cancel your place and receive a full refund of any amounts paid by informing us in writing within 14 days of the date you accept the offer. To cancel your place within this 14-day period, please contact your admissions co-ordinator. Please note, if you defer your initial offer of a place after the 14-day period has expired you will NOT be able to cancel your deferred place at a later date to take advantage of a full refund. You may wish to cancel using the following link:
https://www.studygroup.com/request-withdrawal
Our cancellation and refund policies can be accessed at the links below. Your attention is drawn in particular to the circumstances in which €6,000 (or such higher amount as you may have been required to pay) of your advance tuition fees will NOT be refunded:
- If you cancel after a visa has been issued;
- If you cancel within 8 weeks of the programme start date; and
- If your visa is rejected due to student error or fraud.
If you have been issued a visa, any applicable refund will only be made if you can provide sufficient evidence that may include, but not be limited to:
- Proof that you have not used your visa to travel to Ireland, such as a complete copy of your passport’s pages; or
- Proof that you have left to return to your home country, such as copies of the relevant boarding passes and passport copies showing the appropriate entry/exit stamps.
Refunds will only be made to the same card/bank account of the individual from whom Study Group received the original payment. Refunds will be made within 90 days of the end of the relevant term. Please click on the links to our refund policies above.
Refunds will be made after calculating any damages, disbursements due or any other incidental fees or charges. Should you decide not to pursue your place on a programme after a student visa has been issued, no monies will be refunded unless there are exceptional circumstances as set out in the refund policy below.
Pre-commencement Cancellations Refund Policy
Payments Key: X Not Refunded | Pre-arrival Confirmation fees | |||
Non-refundable administration fee | Security deposit | Pre-arrival Tuition fee deposit | Due before start of programme | |
€235 | €1,000 | €6,000 | Balance of 1st and 2nd terms fees | |
In all cases within 14 (fourteen) days of accepting an offer | ||||
Student cancellation within 14 day cooling off period, no reason required | / | / | / | / |
Cancellation due to student failing to meet entry requirements or pass compliance checks | ||||
It has not been possible to offer an acceptable alternative study plan | X | / | / | / |
Rejection by Study Group | ||||
Fraud or submission of falsified paperwork | X | X | X | X |
Cancellation where student meets entry requirements, but chooses not to study | ||||
More than 8 weeks prior to start date | X | / | / | / |
Within 8 weeks of programme start date (for exceptional circumstances see below) | X | X | X | / |
For students who have been issued confirmation of acceptance / enrolment | ||||
Student cancellation with no exceptional circumstances | X | X | X | / |
Exceptional circumstances e.g. illness, bereavement (documentation will need to be sent to Admissions for final decision) | X | / | / | / |
Visa Rejection due to… | ||||
Student Error | X | X | X | / |
Standard visa refusal (student did not meet visa entry requirements) | X | / | / | / |
Fraud or submission of falsified paperwork | X | X | X | X |
Agent error | X | / | / | / |
Visa / immigration service error (administrative appeal documentation must be sent to Admissions for final decision) | X | / | / | / |
Study Group error | / | / | / | / |
Notes:
(1) If you defer your initial offer of a place after the 14-day cooling off period has expired (ie more than 14 days after accepting the offer) you will NOT be able to cancel your deferred place at a later date to take advantage of a full refund
(2) The unused portion of any Study Care Insurance Plus payments will be fully refunded upon cancellation
(3) Students in receipt of a scholarship (by way of a 20%/40% discount to tuition fees) shall be refunded any eligible amounts less the relevant pro-rated discount applied to such fees
Please read the refund policy carefully and note in particular the circumstances in which advance tuition fees will NOT be refunded.
Important
Study Group may withdraw your offer and cancel the contract between us (thereby terminating your registration with the Centre) in the event that:
- you fail to meet the necessary entry requirements for your chosen programme.
- we discover that your application contains incorrect or fraudulent information or omits key information.
If we wish to make any changes to your offer after you have accepted it owing to errors on our part, we will enter into a dialogue with you and agree any changes.
Accommodation
Should you decide to book accommodation through Study Group, additional charges may also be made for such items as accommodation security deposits, bedding packs and accommodation-specific insurance. You will be advised of these charges under a separate accommodation agreement at the time of booking. Residential accommodation is subject to availability and early confirmation is advised. For more information on accommodation during your period of study, please contact: UCDISC.CSS@studygroup.com
For accommodation cancellations and refunds, please refer to your individual tenancy agreement.
Centre tuition fees
Admission to programmes and your continued enrolment at the Centre is dependent on all fees having been paid by the relevant date.
After starting your programme, fees for the third term (and any subsequent terms) are payable to us in full no later than 28 days before the start of the second term.
Reasonable efforts are always made to keep fees to the minimum that is consistent with the provision of a modern and efficient teaching programme. However, fee increases may become necessary from time to time in order to maintain standards or following a change in law or regulation. You will be notified in advance of any increase, but we will not increase fees during the course of an academic year.
If payments become overdue, we reserve the right to suspend or cancel tuition and to charge interest on the balance at the rate of 2% above the base rate of Bank of Ireland per month or part thereof. We also reserve the right to terminate your studies. Please refer to the Post-Commencement Refund Policy below for further details.
Provision of tuition
Pre-commencement
The Centre will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver all programmes described in our prospectus and other marketing materials. However circumstances may change due to factors beyond our reasonable control and it may be necessary to vary the content of a programme. We will use reasonable endeavours to ensure that any changes are kept to a minimum, but if we are required to make material changes to a programme before your arrival at the Centre, we shall inform you as soon as possible. If you reasonably believe that the changes will affect you adversely, you may transfer to an alternative programme at the Centre for which you are qualified or withdraw your application without any liability for fees (including the enrolment fee).
If there are not sufficient applicants either to make a programme viable or to deliver a quality student experience, we may cancel or withdraw a programme. If you receive an offer for a programme and we discontinue or withdraw that programme prior to your registration at the Centre, we will notify you as soon as possible and you will be given the opportunity to either change your programme of study or withdraw from the Centre. In such circumstances you will be eligible for a full refund of any fees paid to us. Please also be aware that certain programmes are extremely popular and have limited spaces available, therefore it is important that you confirm your place as soon as possible after receiving an offer. Failure to do so may result in your being unable to register on your chosen programme and you may be offered an alternative programme of study.
Programme commencement date
You must ensure that you arrive on campus and are ready to start by the programme start date. You will not be admitted to your programme if you arrive after the programme start date, unless there are exceptional circumstances that have been agreed with Study Group in advance. If you are unable to arrive by the programme start date or are unlikely to obtain a visa in time to travel to the Centre by the programme start date, you must contact our Admissions Team who will advise on the options available to you.
University Programme Preparation Fee
Should you be successful in progressing to a University undergraduate programme, an amount equivalent to 10% of that programme’s first year’s tuition fees will be payable by you to us as a programme preparation fee. At the same time, you will be entitled to receive a 10% discount from the University in respect of the first year’s fees of the undergraduate programme.
Academic criteria
Acceptance on a programme is subject to students meeting the defined entry requirements and the Centre’s criteria for English Language proficiency.
Students are accepted into the Centre on the strict understanding that progression through the programme is conditional upon satisfactory and required attendance and successful attainment of prescribed performance targets as outlined to you at the beginning of your programme. Students are formally assessed at least twice a year. The assessment will take into consideration:
- Programme work assignments
- Internal examination results
- Attendance
- Commitment to study
Students who do not meet the attainment criteria will not be allowed to proceed with their original programme, but may be offered an alternative programme or invited to withdraw from the Centre.
Termination of studies
Your attention is drawn to the following non-exhaustive list of circumstances in which we may terminate your studies:
- Insufficient attendance in line with our Attendance Policy (in line with GNIB requirements)
- Serious breach of required standards of conduct as further set out in our Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Policy
- Multiple chargebacks in respect of any attempted payment of fees or any attempt to pay fees by fraudulent means by fraudulent means (including, but not limited to, the use of a stolen credit or debit card)
Study plan changes
All students’ English and numeracy skills will be tested on arrival. If your results differ materially from those in your home country, for example as a result of not having been tested for a long time the Centre may discuss an alternative study plan more appropriate to your English and numeracy level. We would rather you succeed on an appropriate study programme than struggle on a programme beyond your levels of English and numeracy.
Personal insurance
Accident and Medical insurance
We strongly recommend that all students have appropriate accident and medical insurance for the duration of their study in Ireland. Depending on the policy, insurance may cover otherwise non-refundable programme fees in the event of cancellation. You may either take out our StudyCare Insurance Plus policy or cover with an alternative provider. Further information about StudyCare Insurance Plus can be found at the following link: https://www.studygroup.com/studycare-ie. Cover under the StudyCare Insurance Plus policy will not commence until the insurance fees have been paid in full. Should you cancel your programme, you will also need to notify us that you wish to cancel your StudyCare Insurance Plus policy.
Personal belongings and contents insurance
While the Centre takes all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety and security of students on campus we cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to students’ personal property. All students are, therefore, strongly advised to take out a contents insurance policy.
Withdrawal from the Programme
Once you have commenced your programme, a minimum of one term’s notice (in writing) is required to withdraw from your programme, whether or not you continue to attend lessons. Please refer to our Post-Commencement Refund Policy below:
Post-Commencement Refund Policy (Applicable to all UK/EU students)
- Students are considered to have commenced their Programme once they have arrived in Centre and attended any induction, registration or teaching activities.
Withdrawal Reason Key: X Not Refunded | Security Deposit (€1,000) | Fees for Current Term or Semester (includes Tuition Fee Deposit if 1st term) | Fees for Next Term | Fees for Future Terms |
Student withdrawal from studies | ||||
Student withdrawal with no exceptional circumstances | / (less any unpaid incidental charges) | X | X | / |
Student withdrawal due to exceptional circumstances e.g. illness, bereavement (documentation will need to be provided) | / (less any unpaid incidental charges) | Payable up to the last date of study, balance of fees refunded | / | / |
Study Group termination of studies due to: | ||||
Academic performance | / (less any unpaid incidental charges) | Payable up to the last date of study, balance of fees refunded | / | / |
Other reason (e.g. withdrawal of programme of study) | / (less any unpaid incidental charges) | Payable up to the last date of study, balance of fees refunded | / | / |
Serious misconduct or attendance issues or non-payment of tuition fees | / (less any unpaid incidental charges) | X | X | / |
Student is AWOL or there is evidence of Fraud (e.g submission of falsified or exam results, deliberate misuse of visa for non-study purposes) | X | X | X | X |
- In the event that Study Group is unable to complete the teaching of a paid for programme of study, Study Group will pay any reasonable and demonstrable incremental costs incurred by the student completing the same or a comparable programme of study within Study Group or its affiliates.
- In the event that Study Group is unable to complete the teaching of a paid for programme of study and no alternative arrangements are available to complete the same or a comparable programme of study
within Study Group or its affiliates, Study Group will refund all tuition/accommodation/living fees/expenses paid for incomplete programmes of study.
IMPORTANT
Students who arrive in Ireland on a student visa and claim asylum or apply to switch their immigration / visa status will NOT be issued a refund of any amounts paid unless there are exceptional circumstances, assessed on case by case basis by Study Group.
Notes:
- €260 Administration Fee is never refunded
- For accommodation, refer to your tenancy agreement or accommodation refund policy
- StudyCare Insurance Plus will be charged by week up to the date of withdrawal, the unused balance will be refunded in all cases
- Students in receipt of a scholarship (by way of a 20%/40% discount to tuition fees) shall be refunded any eligible amounts less the relevant discount applied to such fees
Notice of withdrawal must be given in writing or by email to the Centre Head and is effective from the date it is received. You may also use the following link:
https://www.studygroup.com/request-withdrawal
Accounts procedures
Payments
Payment can be made to the Centre using a number of payment options via our payment platform. Access to this platform can be found here, using your unique student access code: https://www.dublinisc.com/how-to-apply/fees/how-to-pay
Certain card payments will carry a processing fee of up to 3.5%, depending on the card issuer. Variations to such charges may be beyond our control.
Please note that we are NOT able to accept cash payments for fees. Cash payments may only be made to cover sundry charges that may arise during your programme of study.
If you choose to pay in your local currency a foreign exchange rate will apply. The applicable exchange rate can be viewed online as at the time and date of the payment. Bank charges and commission for both the sending and receiving banks should be paid by the sender of funds or they will be applied to the student’s account.
Accounts communications will be sent both to you and the person responsible for paying the fees unless written instructions are received to the contrary.
Other charges
No other incidental costs will be charged to your account unless you agree to them separately. These may include, for example, field trips, text books and vacation accommodation. Fees relating to sponsor reporting and additional support classes for sponsored students are included in the tuition fees set out in your personal statement and are not charged separately.
Car parking
Parking on campus is restricted. Charges apply to all students (and staff) who are allowed to park on campus. Students living on campus are not usually permitted to park on campus unless they have a need based on a disability or a family living with them on campus.
Data protection
Any information provided to us may be held on computer and shall only be used by the Centre as permitted under any applicable data protection legislation. Your information will be held and processed for the purpose of administering your application, and we may share your information with Study Group's offices around the world. This information may be carried forward to your official student record, which holds data in electronic and paper form on your personal details, academic and administrative history and on relevant financial transactions.
With your consent or where a legitimate interest, we may also disclose appropriate personal data or sensitive personal data (as defined in the General Data Protection Regulation) to relevant third parties outside of Study Group including, but not limited to, your agent, sponsor, the University or an external debt collection agency during or after your period of study. This personal data may include information about your performance, progress and examination results at the Centre. We will not disclose information about you to any other third parties without your permission unless there are exceptional circumstances, for example when the health and safety of you or others is at risk or where the law requires information to be shared. Throughout we will always comply with our obligations under all applicable data protection legislation. For more information, please refer to our Student Privacy Notice, a copy of which may be found in the Appendix to these Terms.
Please note that we reserve the right to update the Student Privacy Notice from time to time.
Variation
These Terms and Conditions will apply to you from the date on which accept our offer of a place at the Centre and for the duration of your study there. No variation to these Terms and Conditions shall be made unless it is in your favour or is with your consent.
Irish government bodies
The Centre is obliged to report, on request, visa status, attendance records and Irish contact details in relation to its students to relevant Irish government bodies. Study at the Centre is conditional upon you complying with all policies of Irish government bodies at all times.
Attendance and punctuality
Students are expected to attend 100% of their classes.
All absences, whether authorised or unauthorised, are counted towards the attendance for the term.
For a student on a student visa, a minimum of 85% attendance is a legal requirement. If a student’s attendance falls below 85%, the Centre must report the student to the Garda National Immigration Board (‘GNIB’). Students with attendance below 85% for their programme at the Centre may have their visa cancelled or be refused a visa renewal to continue their study at the University.
Students are expected to arrive to all classes on time.
Being on time means that the student is sitting at their desk in the class room at the time the class is due to start.
Student punctuality issues are categorised into one of the following:
- Students less than 10 minutes late will be marked late on the attendance register
- Students more than 10 minutes late will be marked absent
Full details of the of the attendance & punctuality policy are available in your student handbook and on the Study Smart Dublin ISC website.
Absenteeism and expulsion
The following procedure is followed if the student falls below the required 85% attendance:
The student will have an appointment to discuss their attendance with the Administration Officer or the Head of Centre.
Persistent absence will result in an ‘official’ meeting with the Head of Centre. This meeting will be recorded in the student’s official record. The student’s parents/sponsor/fee-payer/agent will be informed as applicable.
Persistent absence after the meeting referred to above will result in the student being required to complete an attendance sheet for the remainder of that term. The student will be responsible for ensuring that their attendance sheet is signed at each lesson by their tutor, and presenting that completed attendance sheet to the Administration Officer at the end of each week. Parents/sponsor/fee-payer/agent will be kept informed.
If the student fails to bring a fully completed attendance sheet to the office they proceed to stage 4. This requires that the student presents themselves at the office at 8.45am to sign in each morning for the remainder of the term, regardless of when their lessons are scheduled to start.
Where a student fails to improve attendance to above 85% they will be excluded from the centre. A letter will be sent to the GNIB to inform them of the student’s breach of their visa requirements.
Illness and sick leave
It is recognised that during their programme of study students will have to cope with the normal range of illnesses similar to that of the population at large. Students are responsible for keeping the Centre informed of any illness throughout the academic year which might affect their overall performance and attendance. In particular students should notify the Centre Office of any ongoing medical condition. We shall require submission of medical notes to cover absences at any time during the academic year.
Holidays
Students may be granted authorised holiday at the end of a term. They are also entitled to all national/Bank holidays. No authorisation will be given to students to take holidays at any other time during the academic year.
End of Programme
All students are tested on arrival. This gives the tutors an opportunity to determine the best academic plan for you as you continue on the programme. All students are then tested again at the end of each term. This will give the Head of Centre an opportunity to see whether you are ready to proceed on in the Foundation Programme.
Students sign a personalised study plan on commencement of their Foundation programme stating the academic requirements to progress to their degree.
The Head of Centre, in consultation with the tutors, will make the final decision as to whether a student is able to progress on in the programme.
Results will be published after the MAB each term but all results are provisional until approved by the External examiners and the Programme Assessment Board.
Complaints
It is recognised that students, their parents or their representatives may sometimes need to make a complaint about the services received during the application and admissions process. Study Group has a complaints service for this purpose. If you wish to make a complaint at any time, in the first instance you should refer the issue to your Study Group admissions contact who will discuss the problem with you and attempt to resolve it. If we are not able to resolve an issue in this way, you should formally raise a complaint by email to: UKEUISCQUERIES@studygroup.com. Please include the following information in your email:
- State explicitly that you wish to make a formal complaint
- Include your name and student identification number or Admissions case number
- Give a general description of the complaint and the dates on which any events occurred
- Provide the names or positions of any members of staff or third parties directly relevant to the complaint
- We will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 48 hours, and we aim to formally respond within 5 working days.
Post-registration Complaints and Appeals
Our study centres seek at all times to provide the highest possible level of service and quality of student experience. However, there may be occasions when a student feels that the level has not been good enough. For those, we have a Complaints and Appeals Policy that sets out how a student can formalise a complaint if it cannot be resolved less formally. The policy also sets out the procedures for making an academic appeal. This document makes clear the criteria against which an appeal can be lodged and what a student needs to do if she or he wishes to pursue an appeal.
Please refer to the Student Complaints & Appeals Policy for more information: https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/95d47d95-36b6-00af-a24c-b886ecdfc4a2/53d5781f-bad9-4056-8a46-2e4f779cf4d4/2023_-_24_SG_Global_Student_Complaints_and_Appeals_Policy_v_1.5_Aug_23.pdf
Communication
Please provide us with personal e-mail addresses and mobile telephone numbers prior to your arrival at the Centre in order that we can communicate with you at all times (for example, to send you student reports). Please also advise of any changes to your contact details as soon as they occur.
Acceptance and Indemnity
Your acceptance (or acceptance by your parent or legal guardian if you are under 18 years of age) of a place to study at the Centre, indicates that you:
- Give consent to the administration of first aid and appropriate non-prescription medication to you, and give permission for medical, dental or optical and emergency hospital treatment when required
- Have given full details of any medicines currently being taken by you or any ongoing medical condition.
- Agree to the following indemnity: 'In consideration of the Head of Centre/Centre Director agreeing to make arrangements for and to authorise members of the staff of the Centre to take you from time to time on expeditions outside the premises of the Centre, you (or your parent or legal guardian as the case may be) hereby undertake to indemnify the Head of Centre/Centre Director and such members of the staff against:
- any claims, damages or costs which they or any of them may be or become liable to pay in consequence of any injury/damage or illness occurring during or as a result of any of the said expeditions;
- any claims by any third party which may be made against them or any of them in consequence of any act or default on your part during or as a result of any of the said expeditions.
- any other costs and expenses reasonably incurred by them or any of them your behalf during or as a result of any of the said expeditions.
Provided that the indemnity herein shall not extend to any claims, damages, costs or expenses in respect of and to the extent to which the Centre and member(s) of the staff or any of them shall be entitled to be indemnified under any policy of insurance or as may arise as a result of negligence causing injury or death.
Without this indemnity, you may not take part in any expedition organised by the Centre.
Important
These Terms and Conditions apply to all bookings commencing after 20 November 2023. For bookings made prior to this date, please contact your admissions co-ordinator or Centre staff to obtain a copy of the relevant terms and conditions and refund policies which apply to your contract with us.