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EC English Enrolment Policy and Procedure

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1. Purpose

This policy outlines how students enrol at EC English schools and explains the information, checks, and processes completed before a booking is confirmed.

Admissions processes are managed centrally by EC Admissions and Internet Sales teams in accordance with local regulatory requirements applicable to each school location.

Additional requirements applicable to students studying at EC Dublin are included within this policy.


2. Scope

This policy applies to all students enrolling at EC English schools, including:

  • students booking directly with EC English;
  • students booking through approved education agents;
  • visa and non-visa students;
  • students aged 16–17 attending adult programmes under defined conditions.

3. Enrolment Principles

EC English is committed to:

  • Providing prospective students with clear, accurate and up-to-date information relating to programmes, fees, accommodation and student services prior to enrolment
  • Ensuring students can make informed enrolment decisions
  • Operating enrolment procedures that are fair, transparent and accessible
  • Supporting students throughout the enquiry and booking process
  • Protecting student data in accordance with GDPR and applicable data protection legislation
  • Applying safeguarding and welfare procedures for students under the age of 18
  • Complying with applicable visa and immigration requirements
  • Maintaining accurate enrolment records and operational systems

4. Pre-Enrolment Information

Prior to enrolment, students are provided with information relating to:

  • Programme objectives and learning outcomes
  • Course dates and lesson schedules
  • Fees and additional costs
  • Accommodation options and availability
  • Terms and conditions
  • Cancellation and refund procedures
  • Visa and immigration requirements, where applicable
  • Student services and welfare support
  • Complaints and grievance procedures

Students booking through approved education agents receive information from their agent, who has access to EC promotional materials, official pricelists, and the EC Agent Partner Site. Agent bookings are managed through EC Admissions teams.

Students booking directly with EC English access information through the EC website or by contacting EC through website enquiry forms, telephone, email, web booking, or the “Get a Quote” function on the EC website. Direct bookings are managed through EC Internet Sales teams.


5. Enquiries and Applications

Prospective students may contact EC English through:

  • Website enquiry forms such as: “Contact Us” and “Get a Quote” forms
  • Email and telephone channels
  • Approved education agents and recruitment partners

Enquiries are managed by internet sales advisors, admissions teams and local centre staff where required.

EC English aims to respond to student enquiries promptly and to provide accurate guidance on programme suitability, availability, accommodation, and enrolment requirements.


6. Enrolment Requirements

To confirm an enrolment, EC must receive:

Mandatory Information

  • Student’s full name (as per passport)
  • Date of birth
  • Nationality and country of residence
  • Email address
  • Course selection
  • Destination and school
  • Accommodation Selection
  • Start date
  • Duration
  • Accommodation requirements (if applicable)
  • Any relevant medical, accessibility, or welfare information they wish to disclose.

Mandatory Documentation where applicable:

  • Passport copy
  • Visa supporting documentation
  • Proof of payment
  • Parental consent form for students under the age of 18
  • Flight details (if airport transfer booked)

Course and accommodation availability are checked before enrolment is confirmed.

Incomplete bookings may remain on hold until all required information is received.

Placement testing may be completed prior to or on arrival.

Additional requirements may apply for specific programmes.


7. Course Placement and Suitability

Some courses, including English for Work, English in the City, IELTS Preparation, and Cambridge Examination Preparation programmes, require students to have a minimum level of English before joining the course.

Where applicable, students may be asked to complete a short placement test before enrolment is confirmed to help assess course suitability.

Following confirmation of booking, students complete EC’s online placement test before arrival to support class placement and ensure students are placed at the appropriate language level upon starting their course.

Where appropriate, EC may recommend an alternative course if it is considered more suitable for the student’s level, age, or study objectives.

To support an international learning environment and maintain nationality diversity within centres, EC monitors nationality and first-language concentrations across its schools. Where concentrations are considered too high for particular dates, courses, or centres, EC may manage enrolments, including temporarily limiting bookings from specific nationalities where appropriate. Where relevant, information relating to significant first-language concentrations may be communicated to students, parents, agents, or other stakeholders prior to enrolment.


8. Fees, Payment and Booking Confirmation

A booking is considered confirmed only once:

  1. Availability has been verified
  2. Deposit/payment has been received (if required)
  3. All mandatory documents have been submitted
  4. EC has issued a booking confirmation/invoice

Submitting an enquiry or application does not guarantee placement availability.

Fees & Payments

Students receive clear information relating to:

  • Tuition fees
  • Accommodation fees
  • Additional charges and administrative fees
  • Payment methods and deadlines
  • Refund and cancellation procedures

Deposit

A deposit is required in cases determined by EC, including but not limited to:

  • visa-required bookings
  • accommodation bookings
  • long-term programmes

The applicable deposit amount and payment deadline will be communicated at the time of booking.

Balance Payment

Unless otherwise agreed in writing:

  • Full payment must be received no later than 14 days before the course start date.

Failure to make payment may result in:

  • Cancellation of services
  • Delayed visa documentation
  • Refusal of accommodation check-in
  • Cancelation of enrolment

Following payment, or confirmation of agreed payment arrangements, students receive:

  • Enrolment confirmation
  • Visa support documentation where applicable.
  • Accommodation confirmation, where applicable
  • Welcome email with instructions on how to take the placement test

9. Accommodation Allocation

Accommodation is subject to:
• Availability
• Age restrictions
• Specific accommodation eligibility requirements
• Welfare and safeguarding considerations
EC reserves the right to:
• Change accommodation provider or room allocation
• Offer alternative accommodation of a similar standard
• Apply special conditions for under-18 students
Special accommodation requests are not guaranteed unless confirmed in writing.


10. Course Changes, Postponements & Transfers

Requests to:

  • Change course
  • Amend dates
  • Transfer destination
  • Reduce or add duration
  • Add services

must be submitted in writing.

Additional fees or price differences may apply.

All changes remain subject to:

  • Availability
  • Visa implications
  • Operational feasibility

11. Cancellations & Refunds

Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing.

Refund eligibility depends on:

  • Destination-specific terms and conditions
  • Notice period provided
  • Visa outcome
  • Services already consumed
  • Accommodation terms

Administrative fees may apply.

Refunds are processed to the original payer.


12. Visa Students – EC Dublin

Non-EU/EEA students requiring immigration permission to study in Ireland must comply with current Irish immigration requirements applicable at the time of enrolment.

For students studying at EC Dublin:

  • immigration-related information applicable to programmes at EC Dublin is available on the EC website https://ecenglish.com/en/visa-information/
  • students are enrolled on programmes eligible under current Irish immigration requirements;
  • visa support documentation is issued following receipt of the required documentation and payment conditions;
  • students are protected under the applicable Programme for Education and Training (PEL) arrangements;
  • applicable payments are made into an escrow account through EC’s Transfermate Education payment platform at: https://ecenglish.paytostudy.com/
  • non-EU/EEA students enrolling on 25+ week visa-required programmes are required to pay the applicable examination deposit before visa documentation is issued.

Visa Refusals

If a student’s visa application is refused, EC must be informed as soon as possible and supporting visa refusal documentation may be requested.

Refunds relating to visa refusals are handled in accordance with EC Terms and Conditions.

Eligible students studying at EC Dublin are additionally protected under the applicable Programme for Education and Training (PEL) arrangements.

EC may request additional documentation where required for visa processing or compliance purposes.


13. Students Aged 16–17

Students aged 16–17 attending adult programmes:

  • must have signed parental or guardian consent before arrival;
  • must stay in accommodation approved by EC;
  • are subject to additional safeguarding and welfare procedures:

These include:

  • Curfews
  • Attendance for students aged under 18 is monitored and any welfare concerns are followed up by the relevant staff team.
  • Emergency contact procedures
  • Airport transfer obligations (where applicable)

14. Protection of Student Information

Student information is processed and stored in accordance with applicable data protection legislation, including GDPR requirements.

Information is used for legitimate educational, operational, welfare, safeguarding, and immigration compliance purposes.


15. Related Documents

This policy should be read alongside: