SP Jain London (SPJ) has amended its student contract after the Office for Students (OfS) referred concerns about potentially unfair terms and conditions to National Trading Standards.
National Trading Standards advised the OfS that some of the terms SPJ used could be considered unfair under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
It found a significant imbalance in the rights and obligations of SPJ and its students. In addition, some terms were not written as plainly or transparently as is required in law.
In response to advice from National Trading Standards, SPJ has now removed or changed terms in its enrolment contracts with students. These included clauses relating to extra costs that could compromise students’ consumer rights.
The OfS has not taken any further regulatory action against SPJ in relation to this matter.
Commenting, David Smy, Deputy Director of Enabling Regulation at the OfS, said:
‘Students invest a significant amount of time and money into their studies. They’re entitled to be treated fairly and protected by consumer law.
‘We welcome the changes made by SPJ to better protect the rights of its students. As we continue to publish the outcomes of our referrals to National Trading Standards, we’d encourage students to refer to them when signing a contract with their university or college. It’s important that all students are aware of the potential issues to look out for and understand their rights.
‘We encourage all universities and colleges to review the case report and reflect upon their own contracts to ensure they are fair, understandable and transparent. We will continue to work closely with National Trading Standards where we are concerned that students’ consumer rights are at risk.'
Notes
- The case report sets out work the OfS and Trading Standards have done to ensure providers’ student contracts do not contain terms that could be deemed unfair or to affect students’ consumer rights. Only a court or enforcement body such as the Competition and Markets Authority can determine whether consumer protection law has been breached.
- Read our student guide to consumer rights.