Terms and Conditions

 

Terms and Conditions

Academy Online Learning Limited (AOLL): The agreement between the purchaser of goods (students and companies) and AOLL is governed by the conditions of sale stated on this web site. This includes the service relating to all courses provision.  By completing and submitting an electronic order form, you are making an offer to purchase goods which, if accepted by us, will result in a binding contract.

The Access to HE Diploma is based on a completed and uploaded portfolio of work - no less and no more than 60 credits of which 15 credits are ungraded and 45 are graded (Pass, Merit or Distinction). All 60 credits are at level 3. 

The award of an Access to HE Diploma does not provide guaranteed entry to UK HE programmes and can only be awarded to UK nationals or those with a valid UK address (QAA Licence Criteria 4.31b)

'Service users' shall include and refer to: students/representative, tutors, admin staff, management, Directors and all external suppliers associated with the AOLL provision. All Service users are fully expected to abide and be compliant toward strict policies including (not exhaustive) reciprocal Equality and Fairness towards others Service Users.This includes a zero tolerance of bullying or abuse (verbal or physical). AOLL reserve the right to remove any Service User in the event that these values are not adhered to. 

 

Pricing

The pricing structure and payment methods are clearly indicated on the website in pounds sterling and a notice period of two weeks will precede any changes but any changes will not apply to existing purchasers already enrolled onto the course(s). Once a purchaser has commenced their studies, they enter into a contract for a specific length of time as agreed. Please note: Entering into the monthly payment option is an agreement to pay the full cost of the course enrolled on. The price of the Access to HE Diploma is based on 12 months' study. Purchasers can complete sooner, but are still liable for the full cost. Arrangements can be put in place to complete beyond this at a specified monthly cost. Learners have not completed until their portfolio of works is uploaded to their VLE account. Purchasers can freeze their study time for up to 12 months for extenuating circumstance, monthly payments will continue up until settled in full. Registration with the Awarding Organisation Skills and Education Group Access and registration is valid for up to two years. The Diploma however is valid for longer.  The fees relating to external moderation and certification are governed by the external awarding organisation with due notice given to the purchaser of any adjustment. Any increase will not be passed onto those already enrolled and studying. The purchaser must confirm their agreement to the terms and conditions contained within this document prior to being accepted on to the course(s) offered. 

 

AOLL has an excellent reputation for the online provision of Access to HE Diplomas and GCSE study along with, a high success rate in supporting students through to university and to their chosen career pathway. We strive to keep costs down and offer various payment options. However, if you are unable to fund your studies you should contact Student Services prior to your full enrolment to cancel your application. Once enrolled onto the course, it is taken that you have accepted the Terms and Conditions in that you have entered into a binding agreement and you are liable for the full amount of the course(s) you have been accepted on to. However, there is a 14 day 'cooling off' period. Please notify Student Services in writing by email: enquiries@academyonlinelearing.com

 

 

Plagiarism 

We are responsible for assessing your work fairly and accurately. In order to maintain academic integrity, and in the interests of all concerned, all assignments are checked for any signs of plagiarism. We follow the guidelines set out by the Skills and Education Group Access:

 “Plagiarism is where a learner has submitted someone else’s work as if it is their own. Some learners do this unintentionally while others do it to gain higher marks. Either way it is intellectual dishonesty” (Certa , 2013).

 

Examples of plagiarism include:

  • buying and submitting assessments from third parties, sometimes known as  ‘essay mills’. These companies utilise very aggressive business techniques and the essays, as well as being very expensive, are very easy to detect as they are often written by non subject specialists and use fake references;
  • Using AI software, such as Chat GPT or Bard in the completion of your assignments;
  • copying small or large sections of assignments from other learners;
  • copying images, graphs or tables without an acknowledgement of source;
  • copying from books or the internet without any acknowledgement of the source;
  • failing to follow an appropriate system of referencing in your work;
  • paraphrasing information poorly so that it remains largely the same as source material

 

AOLL have state of the art detection software to discover academic plagiarism at the point of assignment submission. This is to ensure the validity of accredited qualifications. Therefore, as a student at Academy Online Learning you can rest assured that your achievements will be fully recognised and awarded with the academic integrity deserved.

It is important to be aware of the penalties when plagiarism is discovered, the following list is a general guide but is not exhaustive:

  • Where any form of plagiarism is discovered, our Plagiarism Policy is invoked. This includes full support in how to avoid plagiarism going forward
  • You may have to redo all or part of your assignment
  • You could be issued an alternative assignment brief
  • You could be assessed in an alternative format such as a presentation or supervised exam
  • Your grades may be capped
  • You may incur additional charges to cover remarks, exam invigilation
  • A £20 fee per credit will apply to contribute towards additional administrative costs
  • For serious or persistent plagiarism, you will be removed from the course and remain liable for the full cost of the course with no refunds
  • The Awarding Organisation is informed of all plagiarism which could jeopardise and future studies

 

In the course of study, you will read from many different sources and in order to avoid plagiarism, you should always make a note of what has been read and from which resource. Try not to leave the list of references (bibliography) until the end as there is a huge risk that you may not remember who said what or where. Guidance on how to avoid plagiarism and use source material appropriately is covered in the Unit ‘Academic Writing’.

Finally, we advise to always ‘think twice’ in respect of academic integrity. Anything that seems like it’s a short-cut is liable to create more work in the long-term and pose significant risks to your academic achievement and on-going academic career.

 

Payments

The learning programme will only commence after payment or part payment has been made between AOLL and the purchaser for the service and a first payment has been received by AOLL. All amounts due are payable in the currency invoiced by AOLL and received from the purchaser through the agreed method. The payment option is either in full prior to commencing study or by set monthly debit or credit card payments. The cardholder must comply to any written requests.

 

Overdue and unpaid accounts

AOLL reserves the right to recover the full outstanding balance on unpaid amounts by legal means. Where necessary, AOLL also reserves the right to suspend the contract with the purchaser.

All costs including legal fees (including interest accrued) incurred in the recovery of the outstanding monies will be charged to the purchaser. 

 

Termination of services

AOLL reserves the right to terminate the contract with the purchaser and recover all unpaid amounts for the following reasons:

(1)  Non-payment of fees

(2)  Plagiarised work submitted by the purchaser

(3)  Giving or receiving of assessments from a third party

(4)  Misconduct for example, uploading inappropriate materials to the student study area including the forum

(5)  Other conduct which can reasonably be defined by AOLL as grounds for termination of the service

 

Refunds/Cancellation of payments

AOLL may make a discretionary refund (less reasonable costs) in the event that the Purchaser can supply evidence of a Failure of Service on the part of AOLL as stated in the provision Agreement.  AOLL will not refund for the following examples (which are not exhaustive):

The service is perceived as not suitable for the purchaser’s requirements.

The purchaser does not secure a place on UK HE programmes.

The purchaser receives an 'Unconditional Offer' part way through their course.

The purchaser fails to commit to their part of the agreement for example; failure by the purchaser to submit set assignments, not responding to regular communication from AOLL , Late or failed payments.

 

General, Law and Jurisdiction

AOLL reserves the right to withhold the service in the event of any breach of conditions of sale by the purchaser or for any reasonable doubt of trust or misconduct by the purchaser. Each party agrees that the only legal remedy shall be in terms of a legal contract. The agreement shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales and does not affect the statutory rights of the consumer.

  

Disclaimer

AOLL shall not be held responsible for any damage to electrical and telecommunications equipment or other consequential loss during the agreement.

In the event of any occurring incident involving fire, trade disputes, acts of restraints by a third party, the maximum penalty to AOLL shall not exceed the cost of the product supplied. 

 

Accuracy

Every effort has been made to ensure that the services of AOLL are described accurately and are kept up to date. AOLL is not responsible for any temporary interruption to the web site or associated technical issues but will respond in a timely manner to any issues arising.  Where possible, purchasers will be advised in advance of any web site maintenance 'downtime'.
AOLL will not be held responsible for the incompatibility of the website between the purchaser’s hardware, software, telecommunication links or difficulties in using ICT.

 

Academy Online Learning (2013) (reviewed January 2015) (Reviewed May 2015) (Reviewed May 2017 JD) (Reviewed November 2022)