Effective Date: February 26, 2026 

Applicable To: All Students, Scholars, and Professional Certificate Candidates

 

The School of Pan African Studies (the “School”) is committed to providing a world-class, decolonized educational experience centered on African development, politics, and philosophy. We recognize that students (the “Students”) invest significant time and resources into their professional development and academic growth.

 

This Refund and Compensation Policy (the “Policy”) sets out the circumstances in which the School will refund tuition fees and other relevant costs to students, and the circumstances in which it will provide compensation where the School is no longer able to preserve the continuity of study. This Policy is designed to comply with the Office for Students (OfS) regulatory framework, including Condition C5 (Treating Students Fairly) and the Consumer Rights Act 2015, and it should be interpreted and applied in a way that is consistent with those requirements.

 

This Policy applies to all students enrolled in Professional Certificate programmes, graduate-level courses, and research commissions offered by the School of Pan African Studies. It should be read in conjunction with the School’s Student Protection Plan (the “SPP“) and the Student Terms and Conditions.

 

Where the SPP is triggered, the remedies and processes in this Policy (including refunds and compensation) will normally apply, subject to any programme-specific arrangements communicated to affected Students in writing.

• Refund: The repayment of all or part of the tuition fees or other sums paid by the student to the School.
• Compensation: Financial or other measures used to redress a loss suffered by a student due to the School’s failure to deliver a programme or specific aspects of a programme as advertised.
• Course Closure: When the School decides to close a course to new recruits or, in exceptional circumstances, to discontinue a course for current students.
• School Cancellation: Where the School cancels (i) a programme, (ii) a module/course unit, or (iii) a scheduled learning event that forms a material part of the programme as advertised, and the cancellation is not caused by the Student.
• Programme Delivery Failure: Where the School is no longer able to deliver the programme (or a material part of it) to the standard and structure advertised, including where the SPP is triggered.
• International Payment Charges: Reasonable third-party charges incurred by a Student to make or receive payments across borders (for example, bank transfer fees, card processing fees charged by a bank, or currency conversion fees), excluding losses due solely to exchange rate fluctuations.

 

Refunds will be processed in line with this Policy and any applicable consumer law requirements. For clarity, tuition fee refunds fall into the following categories.

 

4.1 Statutory Cooling-Off Period

 

In accordance with the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, students have the right to cancel their enrolment within 14 calendar days of the date they accepted their offer of a place (the “Cooling-Off Period”). If a student cancels during this period, the School will refund all tuition fees paid.

 

If a Student requested access to digital content or teaching services during the Cooling-Off Period, the School may make a proportionate deduction to reflect the services supplied up to the point of cancellation, where permitted by law and where the Student has made an express request in accordance with the applicable regulations.

 

4.2 School Cancellation (Before Start Date)

 

If the School cancels a programme or module before the official start date, Students will be entitled to a full refund of all tuition fees paid for the cancelled programme/module. Where the Student has paid fees covering multiple modules, the refund will be calculated on a fair, pro-rata basis for the part cancelled.

 

4.3 Withdrawal Before Programme Commencement (Student-Initiated)

 

Students who withdraw from a programme after the Cooling-Off Period but before the official start date will be eligible for a full refund of tuition fees, minus a non-refundable administrative deposit (where applicable and clearly stated at the point of offer).

 

4.4 Withdrawal After Programme Commencement (Student-Initiated)

 

The School operates primarily online. Once a student has accessed the digital learning environment or attended the first live seminar, refund eligibility is determined on a pro-rata basis:

 

• Withdrawal within Week 1-2: 50% refund of the term/module fee.
• Withdrawal after Week 2: No refund will be granted, except in cases of documented mitigating circumstances (e.g., serious illness or bereavement).

 

4.5 Programme Delivery Failure / SPP Trigger (Continuity of Study)

 

If the School can no longer deliver a programme or a material part of it and the SPP is triggered, refund entitlement will depend on the protection measure offered under the SPP (for example, teach-out, replacement delivery, or transfer to another provider):

 

• Teach-out or replacement delivery available and accepted: Students will not normally receive a tuition refund for the affected portion if delivery continues substantially as promised and Students can achieve the intended learning outcomes/award, though compensation for additional out-of-pocket costs may apply under Section 5.
• Transfer required to complete studies: Students may be eligible for a refund of any prepaid tuition fees that relate to teaching/services the School will no longer provide, and/or a refund of the difference where the School’s fees were paid to the School for content that cannot be delivered or credited.
• No reasonable alternative and Student cannot complete: Students will be entitled to a refund of all tuition fees paid for the undelivered part of the programme, and where appropriate, the full programme if the Student is unable to gain the intended qualification.

 

4.6 Research Commissions and Policy Initiatives

 

Refunds for research commissions or bespoke policy entrepreneurship initiatives are governed by the specific terms of the individual service agreement or contract.

 

4.7 International Payments and Refunds

 

The School is a digital-first provider with a global student body. Where refunds are due under this Policy:

 

• Currency of refund: Refunds will be processed in the original currency of payment where reasonably practicable. If this is not possible (for example, due to payment processor limitations, card expiry, compliance controls, or banking restrictions), refunds will be processed in GBP using the prevailing exchange rate applied by the School’s bank or payment processor at the time the refund is issued.
• Transaction fees and exchange rate fluctuations: The School is not responsible for international transaction fees, intermediary bank charges, card issuer charges, or any currency conversion fees applied by third parties. The School is also not responsible for exchange rate movements or differences between the exchange rate at the time of payment and at the time of refund.
• Method of payment: Refunds will normally be made back to the original payment method and payer (for example, the Student, sponsor, or funding body). If this is not possible, the School will work with the Student to identify a lawful and compliant alternative method.

 

4.8 Instalment Plans and Outstanding Balances

 

Where a Student pays tuition fees by instalments (whether through the School or a third-party finance arrangement), withdrawal from a programme does not automatically cancel the instalment agreement. Any outstanding balance remains due in accordance with the School’s fee liability schedule and/or the relevant instalment agreement terms, subject to any refunds the Student is entitled to under this Policy.

 

The School aims to deliver its programmes as described in the prospectus and course handbooks. However, if the School is unable to preserve continuity of study and the Student Protection Plan (SPP) is triggered, the School will consider compensation for reasonable losses that arise as a direct result of the School’s inability to deliver what was promised, assessed fairly and transparently in line with OfS Condition C5.

 

5.1 Tuition Fees (Linked to SPP Remedies)

 

If the School can no longer deliver a programme and an alternative (such as a transfer to a different programme or a different provider) is not possible, the School will provide a refund of all tuition fees paid for the affected module(s) or the entire programme if the student is unable to gain the intended qualification.

Where a transfer is required under the SPP, the School may also provide compensation to address additional costs (see below) so that Students are not financially disadvantaged by a protection measure that is necessary due to School failure.

 

5.2 Additional Costs (Transfer to Another Provider Due to School Failure)

 

Where a course is closed or the School otherwise cannot deliver and a Student is required (or reasonably chooses) to transfer to another provider to complete their studies under the SPP, the School will consider claims for the following categories of costs, where they are reasonably incurred, evidenced, and directly connected to the transfer:

 

• Travel costs: reasonable travel costs required to attend any compulsory in-person elements of the receiving provider (including travel necessary to complete assessments), where such costs are additional to what the Student would reasonably have incurred had the School delivered as promised.
• Maintenance costs: reasonable additional short-term accommodation and subsistence costs necessary for any compulsory in-person attendance required by the receiving provider (for example, accommodation for required residential teaching blocks).
• Loss of time: where a transfer results in a delayed completion date (or delayed entry into a role, project, or professional pathway), the School will consider a fair, case-by-case payment to recognise the Student’s lost time, taking account of the Student’s individual circumstances and any steps taken to mitigate the delay.

 

5.3 International and Diaspora Student Support (Payments and Logistics)

 

Recognising our global Pan-African student base, the School will also consider:

 

• International payment charges: reimbursing reasonable third-party charges incurred to receive a refund or compensation payment (for example, bank transfer fees charged by the receiving bank), and/or using a mutually agreed payment route to reduce charges.
• Currency and cross-border constraints: where Students cannot practically receive funds via the original payment method (for example, card expiry, payment platform restrictions, sanctions compliance screening, or local banking limitations), the School will work with the Student to identify a compliant alternative payment method. Exchange rate fluctuations alone are not normally compensable, but the School will act fairly to avoid avoidable losses caused by administrative delay within the School’s control.

 

5.4 Material Changes

 

If the School makes a material change to a programme (e.g., changing the core ontological framework or significant changes to the decolonized curriculum) that fundamentally alters the educational value promised, and the student chooses to withdraw as a result, a partial refund may be issued. Where a material change triggers the SPP, the School will apply the protections and remedies described in the SPP alongside this Policy.

 

The School will not normally provide refunds or compensation in the following circumstances:

 

• Changes to the curriculum that do not affect the learning outcomes or the Pan-African mission of the School.
• Changes to individual lecturers or scholars, provided the quality of teaching remains world-leading.
• Withdrawal by the student for reasons unrelated to the School’s delivery of the programme.
• Termination of a student’s enrolment due to a breach of the Code of Conduct or academic integrity policies.
• Submission: Students must submit a formal “Refund and Compensation Claim Form” to the Registrar’s Office via email at [insert email address].
• Evidence: Claims for compensation must be supported by evidence of the loss suffered.
• Review: All claims will be reviewed by the Senior Leadership Team within 21 working days of receipt.
• Payment: Approved refunds or compensation payments will be made to the original payment source (the individual student, sponsor, or funding body) within 14 days of the decision.

 

In line with our commitment to epistemic justice and the development of the African diaspora, the School ensures that this Policy is applied fairly and transparently. Treating Students fairly is not simply a regulatory requirement; it is a core part of our decolonized approach to education and our “brain gain” mission—ensuring that Students are not left carrying disproportionate financial or practical burdens when learning is disrupted by circumstances within the School’s control.

 

No student will be disadvantaged for raising a legitimate claim under this Policy.

 

If a student is dissatisfied with the outcome of their claim, they may appeal through the Student Complaints and Appeals Procedure. If the internal process is exhausted, students may have the right to refer their case to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA).

 

Approval and ReviewThis policy is reviewed annually by the Founder and the Governing Board to ensure continued alignment with the School’s mission and regulatory requirements. The Board of Directors oversees any ring-fenced fund or budget allocation used to meet refund and compensation obligations under this Policy (including where the SPP is triggered), to ensure both fairness to Students and the School’s ongoing financial viability.