Para. Guidance
Action taken by York St John University
39
It is important to note that when an offer is accepted by an applicant
Prospective students were advised by email of changes to their
a contract is formed. Any changes to material information that has
programme in August 2020 (prior to confirmation and clearing). This
been provided to the prospective student should be communicated
included, where applicable, planned changes to programme content,
to them before an offer is accepted, and they should expressly
how the programme would be delivered, and how the programme
consent to those changes. Material information is information that
would be assessed. No changes to cost, award, or location were
students need to make an informed choice or decision and will cover made. The communication included information on how any further
details about the course and fees and includes the information
changes would be communicated. Consent for these changes was
described in paragraph 40.
received upon enrolment.
45
If an applicant is not made aware of, or does not consent to,
Prospective students were made aware of changes to the material
changes to the material information in their offer and begins their
information in their offer, where appropriate, and consented to this
course in 2020-21, we would expect the provider to ensure that
upon enrolment. Prospective and current students are made aware
those students are aware of the options available to them, such as
of their recourse to action if they are dissatisfied with their academic
the right for the students to seek repeat performance or a partial
provision.
refund (dependent on what is applicable in the circumstances). This
is because providers have the opportunity now to set out in advance
of the student starting their course in 2020-21 what it plans to deliver
in the current circumstances and what its plans are in different
scenarios.
46
In circumstances where offers have already been accepted, the
Prospective students (including offer-holders) were advised by email
express consent of the student will be needed to make any changes
of changes to their programme in August 2020 (prior to confirmation
to material information that was included in the offer. The OfS
and clearing). This included, where applicable, planned changes to
considers that this is likely to be different to a situation where the
programme content, how the programme would be delivered, and
material information provided to prospective students set out what
how the programme would be assessed. No changes to cost, award,
might change and how this would be implemented. Then, although
or location were made. The communication included information on
the course would be different, this was already clearly and properly
how any further changes would be communicated. Consent for these
explained to the prospective student.
changes was received upon enrolment.
52
We consider that providers will need to provide current students with
Current students were advised by email of changes to their
clear and timely information about any changes to material
programme in August 2020. This included, where applicable,
information about the course as set out in paragraph 40 above and
planned changes to programme content, how the programme would
should seek their consent to this change.
be delivered, and how the programme would be assessed. No
changes to cost, award, or location were made. The communication
included information on how any further changes would be
communicated. Consent for these changes was received upon re-
enrolment.