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Refund and Compensation Policy

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The University will consider refunding your tuition costs, and/or paying discretionary compensation if your programme of study is closed, suspended or significantly modified.

Claims for compensation will be considered on a case by case basis and will take into account loss of earnings and any other factors relevant to the case.

Students enrolled on taught programmes

In the unlikely event that the University closes or suspends a programme of study and is unable to teach out the provision or otherwise ensure that enrolled students complete their programme, the Academic Registrar will consider individual tuition fee waivers and, in consultation with the Finance Director, will consider refunds or financial compensation for students affected. In exceptional circumstances where significant numbers of students are involved, the University Executive Board on the recommendation of the Academic Registrar and Finance Director, will consider refunds or financial compensation for those students affected.

Students on leave of absence

Occasionally, modifications to a programme mean a student who has taken a leave of absence has to repeat a period of study in order to join the new programme. In such an event, the Academic Registrar will consider individual tuition fee waivers and, in consultation with the Finance Director, will consider refunds or financial compensation for students affected. In exceptional circumstances where significant numbers of students are involved, the University Executive Board on the recommendation of the Academic Registrar and Finance Director, will consider refunds or financial compensation for those students affected.

Research students

If a student’s postgraduate research study is dependent on a single, specialist member of academic staff or a research team who leaves the University, then we will seek to make alternative, comparable arrangements to supervise the student to complete their research degree. This may involve:

  • supporting the student’s transfer to the institution that their supervisor or research team moves to;
  • sourcing suitable supervision so that the student can complete their research degree at York.

If the University is unable to support the likely successful completion of the research degree, then the Academic Registrar will consider individual fee waivers and, in consultation with the Finance Director, will consider refunds or financial compensation for students affected.

International students

The University will consider on a case by case basis the costs incurred by, and compensation due to, visa-holding students and students who are otherwise sponsored specifically to study at this institution or on a particular programme of study.