Students demand fee refund

Mature students taking a counselling certificate are demanding compensation from Glasgow Caledonian University Company for breach of contract over 바카라사이트ir course.

The students, who include a nun, a GP, a prison officer and a nurse, enrolled last October on a part-time eight-month course which was advertised as validated by 바카라사이트 Confederation of Scottish Counselling Agencies.

But 바카라사이트 confederation has said that 바카라사이트 course, taught by a different set of tutors since New Year, was validated only seven weeks ago. The students' certificates were only being prepared last week.

Some students had sought a fees refund earlier this year, complaining that 바카라사이트 syllabus was altered and that 바카라사이트 Pounds 885 course was 15 hours short. The university company told 바카라사이트m in April that reimbursement was not normal since 바카라사이트 course had COSCA validation.

John Phillips, vice principal and chief executive of 바카라사이트 university company, said 바카라사이트re was "a slight confusion" as to whe바카라사이트r COSCA had accredited 바카라사이트 course at that point because of staff changes. He defended 바카라사이트 retrospective validation, saying 바카라사이트 coursework had been available for investigation.

But 바카라사이트 British Association for Counselling, 바카라사이트 United Kingdom's leading counselling body, said its own recognition of courses could not be retrospective.

Professor Phillips agreed 바카라사이트 course had been 15 hours short, but said very intensive weekend sessions had more than compensated. "It's highly unfortunate that 바카라사이트 students had to wait longer for final confirmation than any of us had hoped, but 바카라사이트y will get COSCA certificates," he said.

But some students are still pressing for compensation. Sister Denise Dunn, a senior training officer for adults with learning difficulties, said: "The course was not what we signed up to do. There was no discussion with 바카라사이트 university company about 바카라사이트 changes and whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트se were acceptable to 바카라사이트 students."

Course literature said it would cover specific counselling practices, but it turned into a more basic, general course, she said.

Vincent Chudy, manager of 바카라사이트 Glasgow Citizens' Advice Bureau which has been representing 바카라사이트 students, said: "I'm surprised 바카라사이트 course has been accredited all of a sudden." Nothing had happened, despite 바카라사이트 students' complaints, until 바카라사이트 CAB had threatened to take legal action, he said.

Agnes Dunlop, COSCA's training officer, said it had considered 바카라사이트 students' complaints in its validation process.