Terms & Conditions

Alchemea College Registration Agreement Terms and Conditions

1.      Definitions

The following words, as explained, are used in this registration agreement:

1.1. “Course” means the series of classes and practical studio work in which the student is enrolled.

1.2. “Diploma Course” refers to a Course lasting 4 weeks or more and will comprise a range of subjects, equipment and software applications.

1.3. “Short Course” refers to courses lasting from 1 to 3 days and usually relates to a specific subject or software application.  The content of some applications may be covered in a series of short courses.

1.4. “College” means Alchemea College and/or its appointed agents.

1.5. “Registration Fee” means the sum of money paid by the student to reserve a place in one of Alchemea’s courses.

1.6. “Student” means the signatory to these terms and conditions.

1.7. “Studio” means the studios and workstations provided for students both in the college premises and outside.

1.8. “Point of Contact” means lecture or scheduled exam.

2.      Fees & Refunds

2.1. The student agrees to pay the full Registration Fee upon application.  For Diploma Courses the balance of the fees is due at least six weeks before the course start date and two weeks for Short Courses.

2.2. The Registration Fee is non-refundable. The student may change the start date of their course or switch to another course by notifying the College Registrar.  For changes to Diploma course bookings there will be no charge provided the notification is received at least six weeks prior to the start of the existing booking.  For Short Courses, the deadline change date is at least thirty days prior to the start date of the existing booking.  If notice of less than six weeks (for Diploma courses) or thirty days (for Short Courses) is given, the registration fee will be forfeited. The student may book onto another course but must pay the registration fee again.

2.3. If a student applies for a student loan and it is refused or a student visa application is rejected, Alchemea will refund any registration fee minus a £60 administration charge.  If a student visa request has been rejected due to avoidable errors in the application process, a second registration fee will be payable should the student wish to re-apply for their visa and continue their studies at Alchemea.

2.4. The Alchemea instalment plan is only available for students resident in the United Kingdom and will only be made available at the discretion of the College.  Students who fail to keep up with repayments will be suspended from the course until overdue payments have been received. Alchemea reserves the right to take whatever action is necessary to recover the outstanding debt, including taking legal action and referring the outstanding balance to a debt collection agency.  Such actions will have a negative impact on the student’s credit rating and will affect his/her ability to apply for credit in the future.

2.5. Students on some diploma courses are entitled to have issued to them certain pieces of equipment and accessories to help them in their studies.  Such equipment and accessories will only be allocated to a student once at least 30% of the total course fees have been received by Alchemea.

3. Course Content, Scheduling and Cancellation of Courses

3.1. The Student understands that the College is entitled to change the content the Course in which the student is enrolled at any time, allowing for new topics to be introduced and inappropriate topics to be deleted, without prior notice.

3.2. The College reserves the right to cancel any course before the course is scheduled to commence.  In this instance the course fee will be refunded in full.

3.3. The College reserves the right to change the trainer and/or facility at any time.

3.4. If a course is re-arranged or cancelled you have the option to re-schedule or receive a full refund. If a course is scheduled or re-arranged with less than 2-weeks to go before the original start date we will provide a course credit to compensate for reasonable travel cancellation charges incurred.

3.5. While we try to give ample advance notice when a course is cancelled, we recommend that you do not make travel arrangements until 2 weeks prior to the start of the course.

4. Studio and Equipment use

4.1. The student is responsible for ensuring that none of the equipment is damaged or stolen as a direct or indirect result of a failure on his or her part to exercise reasonable care in use of the equipment made available for their use.

4.2. If a student invites a guest or guests (e.g. musicians) into the Alchemea studios, it is the student’s responsibility to make sure the guest(s) observe College rules and regulations, especially relating to Health & Safety and Security.

4.3. In the event that the equipment in the studio is not functioning during the student’s use of the studio, the student agrees to notify the on-duty supervisor immediately, giving full details of the fault.

4.4. In the event that the equipment in the studio(s) is damaged or stolen during the student’s use of the studio as a result of failure on his or her part to exercise reasonable care in the studio(s), the student agrees to pay, within twenty one (21) days, all costs related to replacing, repairing or hiring replacements for such equipment.

4.5. The College reserves the right to cancel the student’s booked studio time. All attempts will be made to notify the student of such cancellation. Times lost due to such cancellation will be re-booked in favour of the student.

5.      Attendance

5.1. Diploma Courses only: Student attendance is monitored throughout the duration of the course and mapped against our disciplinary procedure which is outlined in our student  handbooks. For the purpose of monitoring and to facilitate our disciplinary procedure we work to guidelines set out by the Organisations who have accredited the College. If a student’s misses 3 expected points of contact they will receive a first “warning”. After missing 6 expected points of contact the student will receive a second “written” warning. After missing 9 points of expected contact, the student will receive a third and final warning. After missing 10 points of expected contact, the student’ course will be terminated. Exceptions will be made on humanitarian grounds.

5.2. Students are expected to arrive on time for their lectures. If a student is late for a lecture more than 3 times without warning or good reason then they will be subject to Alchemea’s disciplinary procedure.

5.3. The student will not be allowed to attend lectures or studio time, if his or her fees are not paid in full or instalment payments are in arrears.  Exceptions may be made for commercial customers from whom we have received an official purchase order.

5.4. Diploma Students: Special importance is given to practical time. Students will have to complete all exercises set in the curriculum, engineering sessions as outlined during the course. Since the college is open 24 hours a day, it will be expected that students will be required to work through the night. When practical work requires students to attend venues outside Alchemea, it is the student’s responsibility to arrive at the venue on time and at their own expense.

5.5. Please let the College know if you will be late or absent for a class.

6. Conduct

6.1. Alchemea promotes equal opportunities. Abusive behaviour and/or discrimination based upon sex, sexual orientation, age or ethnic origin will not be tolerated. Alchemea employs a disciplinary procedure and a possible outcome of a student’s hearing is expulsion from the course.

7. Non European Union Students

7.1. When accepting students from outside the European Union (EU), Alchemea has to adhere to strict guidelines from the UK Border Agency (UKBA).  Non EU students wishing to study diploma courses lasting more than 6 months, have to apply for a student visa.

7.2. The UKBA apply the rules very strictly and all documents that support the visa application have to comply with their requirements.  Alchemea will assist overseas students in obtaining a visa and provide guidance on how to complete the visa form and which documents need to accompany the application.  It reflects badly on Alchemea if a visa is refused and we take a dim view of applicants who do not follow the guidelines.

7.3. Should a visa application fail as a result of a student not following advice provided by Alchemea, a second registration fee will be payable.

7.4. It should also be noted that Alchemea has a legal duty to inform the UKBA when non EU student fail to turn up for their course or discontinue their studies mid-way through the course.

7.5. For courses lasting less than 6 months, we encourage students to apply for a “student visitor visa”.