Terms and Conditions
Admissions
- Students must be at least 17 years old.
- An application form must be completed.
- An up to date passport must be provided.
- All students must complete an accurate medical form and inform Leeds English of any physical or mental issues that may affect their learning.
- Students must update Leeds English with any changes to visa status, arrival times or other information that may affect the expected start date.
- It is the responsibility of the student to apply for the correct visa and submit the correct documents. Leeds English cannot be responsible for any visa refusal.
- All students must contact Leeds English at least 2 weeks before the start date agreed on their visa or offer letter to confirm they are coming. They must also complete the online test. Failure to do so may result in the student losing their place at Leeds English.
- The school cannot guarantee a place on a course even with a valid offer letter if the school is over capacity. We will send you an online test before you arrive. Although most students wait until we send out a test to confirm a place, we strongly suggest students contact the school and complete the test prior to booking flights and visas especially during busy periods.
- Leeds English must be informed if the student is a beginner.
- Students must agree to abide by the health and safety policies of the school.
Admissions Policy
All applications are dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Students must complete an individual application form in full, including a medical information form, and a copy of a valid passport or I.D card. We also require a personal email address for the student and copies of academic transcripts where appropriate.
The school may refuse to accept an application if we feel that we cannot meet the needs of the student on the grounds of Special Educational Needs (SEN) or medical grounds (please see “Students with SEN and disabilities” policy).
The school may refuse to accept a student based on their academic needs, for example if we feel we cannot meet those needs or if the student has unrealistic goals. For example, if a student’s level is too low (e.g. absolute beginner/A0) or too high (e.g. proficiency/C2) for the current levels being offered.
- The school cannot guarantee a place on a course even with a valid offer letter if the school is over capacity. We will send you an online test before you arrive. Although most students wait until we send out a test to confirm a place, we strongly suggest students contact the school and complete the test prior to booking flights and visas especially during busy periods.
All students must complete the online test before their arrival date. This will be sent to the student prior to their start date. Failure to do so may result in a place in class not being available. In some cases after the test has been completed we may be over capacity
If the student is a complete beginner, it is essential that the school be notified.
The school may refuse to accept a student, without reservation, if there is a suspicion that there is any risk that the student will not comply with the requirements of their visa status.
The school may refuse an application, without reservation, if there is a suspicion that documents presented to support a visa application are not genuine.
The school may ask for a deposit, full fees or sponsorship document before issuing a visa letter.
Updated June 2023
Payments
- Payments should always be made in advance. This applies to tuition fees for self-funded students, accommodation and airport transfer.
- Leeds English cannot be held responsible for any cancelled bookings if payments have not been received.
- Financial guarantees for sponsored students must be available in the first week of the student’s study.
- For ways to pay, please see our payments page.
Postponing and Cancellation
We strongly recommend that students take out insurance before travel in case of cancellation due to travel disruption, medical issues or other emergency situations. Student Insurance Policies may refund tuition fees if a student has to go home early for a medical or other serious reason.
Postponing A Course Policy
Courses start on any Monday, or on a Tuesday in the case of a public/bank holiday. The school expects students to arrive on the day that they have booked a course to start, and if delayed, to contact the school with a new arrival date at least one week in advance.
We understand that you may be delayed due to your visa or Embassy/sponsorship procedures which can result in more serious delays. The school must be contacted with any information and kept up to date with all information which relates to your travel, sponsorship or visa.
Updated August 2019
Cancelling A Course Before Arrival Policy
The school must be notified of any cancellations at least 2 weeks before the start of the course before any refunds will be considered. An administrative charge of £100 will always be charged. If the school is not notified in the expected time period we deduct 2 weeks tuition from any agreed refunds and a £100 administrative charge. (Please see “Refund“ policy).
Visa refusal
The school has the right to ask for documentary evidence before issuing a refund – Visa refusal, medical reports or other relevant documentation resulting in the need for cancellation.
Updated August 2019
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Deferral and Cancellation Policies
Cancellation or deferral before you arrive
All students who have booked and paid for a course but are unable to travel because of the COVID-19 situation can defer their course until a later date or convert to one of our online courses. A full refund minus the registration fee will be issued if it is not possible to change your course or study online.
School closure
In the event of a school closure due to government regulations all classes will be moved online. Your teacher will be available and will follow a similar schedule to face to face classes. Refunds or deferrals will not be possible in this scenario.
Self Isolation while studying
If you have to self isolate because you or a family member have been tested then we will help and support you to allow you to keep up with the course work with your teacher helping you daily until you can come back to class. Homework, online platforms, tutorials and other learning activities will be offered and welfare support will be ongoing while students are in isolation. Refunds or deferrals will not be possible.
During Study
All students must follow the latest COVID-19 Procedures while studying at the school. By accepting a place on a course you agree to abide by these rules which are designed to keep you and others as safe as possible. They can be found below.
Accommodation
- Leeds English Language School does not provide its own accommodation for students.
- Accommodation providers (e.g. Studylinks) are separate companies and it is the student’s responsibility to read the terms and conditions and the rules of the accommodation provider before booking.
- Please contact the school and we will send you the information you need to make the bookings.
Force Majeure
- We strongly advise students to take out travel insurance. The policy should cover flight delays for any reason.
- Leeds English Language School cancellation and postponement policies apply in all cases.
- It is the student’s responsibility to keep Leeds English informed of changes to travel plans.
- Leeds English is not liable for loss of tuition or other services due to factors outside our control. Refunds will not be made under these circumstances.
Disruption to international travel and force majeure Policy
In the event of flight delays or force majeure and subsequent course cancellation or postponement, Leeds English Language School will not normally refund fees. However, given exceptional circumstances, where a cancellation can be seen to be directly as a result of force majeure, we will look sympathetically at the individual circumstances and may issue a credit for the full amount of the course fees, and assist with re-booking the course at a later date.
In these circumstances, the school will not charge cancellation fees, although accommodation charges may still apply.
In all cases it is the student’s responsibility to keep the school informed by email and phone of changes to travel plans.
Leeds English Language School takes the safety and welfare of every student very seriously. The school will therefore do its best to limit the distress and inconvenience if a student is forced to make last-minute changes to his or her arrival or departure plans.
If students are unable to leave the UK at the end of their course, the school will assist students in finding temporary accommodation. Where possible, accommodation will be extended.
Updated August 2019
Classes and Teaching
Students will be expected to study at the school and will be allocated a classroom depending on level, class size and teacher availability.
Leeds English has continuous enrolment which may require classes to merge or split throughout the course. Students must understand that Leeds English will do the utmost to manage this with as little disruption as possible.
When making an application to Leeds English Students must understand that they cannot choose their teacher or class. Students are placed in the most appropriate class and the decision of the Academic Managers is final in this matter.
Please see Moving Class or Level policy.
English Level
Students understand that they can only move to the next level if:
- they pass the final test
- their continuous assessment shows good progress and that they are on target or above in most areas
- they have good attendance (more than 85%)
- they have good marks in weekly tests
- they have completed assignments and homework
Students will only be allowed to study on the IELTS preparation course if they have completed an Intermediate course in school, have an IELTS score of 5.5 or test at Upper Intermediate.
Please see Moving Class or Level policy.
Leaving Early
Leeds English requires 2 weeks notice if you want to leave the course early plus any documentation showing reasons.
Student leaving course early Policy
Leeds English Language School understands that some students wish to leave their course earlier than scheduled for a variety of reasons, for example to join a university pre-sessional course or due to an emergency. The school aims to be flexible but also must manage resources and staffing levels.
The school requires 2 weeks notice in advance before considering a refund unless:
- Students have an offer to go to a higher education institute (copy of letter must be given to the school)
- Students have a job offer (copy of letter or details given to the school)
- Need to go home due to a family emergency, illness etc (flight tickets seen)
Please note that a 25% charge will be deducted from any agreed refunds.
Refunds are not applicable if the student intends to stay in the UK without studying, move to another language school in Leeds or is asked to leave the school due to disciplinary procedures.
When you apply and pay for a course, you are expected to complete that course as indicated in your offer letter. All refunds are given in good faith and the school has the right to refuse any request.
Self-paying students who leave to go to another language school (not a university) will not be eligible for a refund.
Updated August 2019
Attendance and Punctuality
We expect students to attend at least 85% of all classes. Students must inform Leeds English as soon as possible if they are unable to attend. Students who are continuously absent without good reason will be subject to our disciplinary procedure. Any sponsors will also be notified.
Students who are continually late will also be subject to our disciplinary procedure.
Attendance and lateness Policy
Leeds English Language School expects students to attend all classes. The reasons for this are:
- Regular attendance is the best way to make progress
- Classes often follow a progressive pattern with revision/review from previous lessons
- Low attendance is disruptive to your teacher and classmates
- Low attendance may mean you will need to continue at the same level
- Low attendance can affect future visa and university applications
Leeds English Language School expects at least 85% attendance from all students throughout their time at the school. If you have any problems that make it difficult for you to maintain good attendance, you must inform the school as soon as possible.
Authorised absence
The following reasons can be accepted and marked as authorised absence if you inform the school in advance, or as soon as it is possible to do so:
- illness (with a doctor’s note) (marked as S (Sick))
- doctor, hospital, or dentist appointments (marked as R (Reason))
- University or school appointments (marked as R)
- Embassy appointments (marked as R)
- family illness or emergency (marked as R)
- IELTS exam (exam only) (marked as R)
- holiday (when permission has been given by the school and you have been issued with a confirmation letter) (marked as H)
- religious observance (marked as RO)
Unauthorised absence
In cases where you do not inform the school of your absence, or where the reason is not considered sufficient, you will be marked as A (Absent). In these cases, your absence from school will affect your overall attendance percentage. Also, the total number of hours of unauthorised absence will be shown on your end-of-course report.
Students who have low attendance during their studies – below 85% – without good reason may be subject to our disciplinary procedures. For sponsored students, the embassy will be informed.
Lateness and punctuality
In the UK, being late is considered rude and disrespectful to the teacher and your classmates. As you are studying in the UK, it is important you understand this.
It is essential that lessons can start on time and it is your responsibility to arrive on time. If you arrive late to class then other students are disturbed and the teacher will be interrupted. This can mean it is difficult for them to meet the high standard we expect in the classroom.
All classes start at 9.00 am and we expect all students and all teachers to be on time. You will be allowed into class until 9.05 am and will be marked as being present. If you are more than 5 minutes late, you will be asked to wait in the common room until 9.15 am, when a member of staff will take you into class. This means that the teachers and your classmates will only be disturbed once. If you are more than 15 minutes late to the first lesson, you will be unable to attend and will be asked to wait for the next lesson to start. If you are late on a regular basis, you may be subject to our disciplinary procedures.
You should only be late in exceptional circumstances. All students should be ready to study at 9.00 am prompt.
- If you are on time, and up to 9.05, you will be marked as / (Present)
- If you arrive after 9.05 and before 9.15 you will be marked as L (Late)
- If you arrive after 9.15 you will not be allowed into the first class under any circumstance and will be marked as A (Absent)
- For lessons two and three (10.45, 1.00), you can enter up to five minutes after the start (up to 10.50, 1.05) but after this you will not be allowed to enter class.
You should not be more than 5 minutes late for the second or third lesson.
Welfare
If you are absent for more than 3 days without contacting the school, or if we have been unable to contact you, we will contact your embassy (if appropriate), and/or your emergency contact or next of kin. We need to know that you are safe and well. The school has a duty of care to you as a student during your time at the school and in Leeds.
Updated August 2019
Holidays and time off during your study
- Holidays must always be booked in advance and at least 2 weeks notice given.
- Unauthorised holiday will be marked as absent which will affect attendance and If a student is sponsored then their sponsor (e.g. Embassy) will be informed if holidays are taken without permission.
- Students understand that they may have to repeat the level if they have missed too much of the course.
Attendance and lateness Policy
Leeds English Language School expects students to attend all classes. The reasons for this are:
- Regular attendance is the best way to make progress
- Classes often follow a progressive pattern with revision/review from previous lessons
- Low attendance is disruptive to your teacher and classmates
- Low attendance may mean you will need to continue at the same level
- Low attendance can affect future visa and university applications
Leeds English Language School expects at least 85% attendance from all students throughout their time at the school. If you have any problems that make it difficult for you to maintain good attendance, you must inform the school as soon as possible.
Authorised absence
The following reasons can be accepted and marked as authorised absence if you inform the school in advance, or as soon as it is possible to do so:
- illness (with a doctor’s note) (marked as S (Sick))
- doctor, hospital, or dentist appointments (marked as R (Reason))
- University or school appointments (marked as R)
- Embassy appointments (marked as R)
- family illness or emergency (marked as R)
- IELTS exam (exam only) (marked as R)
- holiday (when permission has been given by the school and you have been issued with a confirmation letter) (marked as H)
- religious observance (marked as RO)
Unauthorised absence
In cases where you do not inform the school of your absence, or where the reason is not considered sufficient, you will be marked as A (Absent). In these cases, your absence from school will affect your overall attendance percentage. Also, the total number of hours of unauthorised absence will be shown on your end-of-course report.
Students who have low attendance during their studies – below 85% – without good reason may be subject to our disciplinary procedures. For sponsored students, the embassy will be informed.
Lateness and punctuality
In the UK, being late is considered rude and disrespectful to the teacher and your classmates. As you are studying in the UK, it is important you understand this.
It is essential that lessons can start on time and it is your responsibility to arrive on time. If you arrive late to class then other students are disturbed and the teacher will be interrupted. This can mean it is difficult for them to meet the high standard we expect in the classroom.
All classes start at 9.00 am and we expect all students and all teachers to be on time. You will be allowed into class until 9.05 am and will be marked as being present. If you are more than 5 minutes late, you will be asked to wait in the common room until 9.15 am, when a member of staff will take you into class. This means that the teachers and your classmates will only be disturbed once. If you are more than 15 minutes late to the first lesson, you will be unable to attend and will be asked to wait for the next lesson to start. If you are late on a regular basis, you may be subject to our disciplinary procedures.
You should only be late in exceptional circumstances. All students should be ready to study at 9.00 am prompt.
- If you are on time, and up to 9.05, you will be marked as / (Present)
- If you arrive after 9.05 and before 9.15 you will be marked as L (Late)
- If you arrive after 9.15 you will not be allowed into the first class under any circumstance and will be marked as A (Absent)
- For lessons two and three (10.45, 1.00), you can enter up to five minutes after the start (up to 10.50, 1.05) but after this you will not be allowed to enter class.
You should not be more than 5 minutes late for the second or third lesson.
Welfare
If you are absent for more than 3 days without contacting the school, or if we have been unable to contact you, we will contact your embassy (if appropriate), and/or your emergency contact or next of kin. We need to know that you are safe and well. The school has a duty of care to you as a student during your time at the school and in Leeds.
Updated August 2019
Conduct and Expectations
- All students are expected to abide by Leeds English rules which will be issued on the first day as part of the student agreement.
- All students must adhere to Leeds English policy on personal harassment and bullying.
- All students must show respect to all staff and students in Leeds English and be tolerant and understanding of other cultures, faiths and lifestyles and accept that Leeds English promotes British values.
- All students must follow Health and Safety guidelines to keep themselves and others safe.
- All students must follow the Corona Virus (Covid-19) Guidelines set by the school and the UK government.
Photographs and Filming
Students must inform Leeds English before arrival or on their first day if they do not want their photographs or any filming used in promotional materials at Leeds English. School cannot accept responsibility for other students sharing images on social media.
Personal Information
It is the student’s responsibility to keep their information safe. They must also inform Leeds English of any changes of personal information before and during their stay.
