This policy outlines the arrangements for collection of student fees and charges, refunds and
compensation. It:
● covers sanctions which may be used in relation to students with overdue debts and is
designed to ensure that all students are treated fairly and equitably.
● has been written in plain English in order to highlight and clarify any important terms so their
significance is not missed.
● must be read together with the full MPAA Student Terms and Conditions (Contract).
1. Tuition fee charges
1.1. The amount that students will pay in respect of tuition fees is dependent on the course that
they wish to study and any add-ons they are opting to undertake. The total cost of your
course, including any mandatory additional costs, will be sent to you in writing with your
offer of a place, and are set out in the Course Description & Costs that is sent to you upon an
offer of a place.
1.2. Tuition fees for each year of study are indicated in the offer of study letter sent by MPAA.
Further details relating to payment schedules are clarified in the MPAA Contract.
1.3. Once a student has enrolled they agree to be bound by these terms and responsibilities for
the payment of their tuition fees and any other associated charges as per the terms and
conditions of the MPAA Contract, including any shortfall amounts due from third parties
which are not paid. Treatment of the non-payment of fees is outlined in section 9 below
(Debt Policy and procedures).
1.4. MPAA reserves the right to reassess any student’s tuition fee liability should new information
come to light that may affect the original assessment.
2. Tuition Fee payment types
2.1. There are two tuition fee payment types:
a) Fully self-financing – student is self-funding the full tuition fee.
b) Part-funded by bursary, and part self-financing – Bursary/Scholarship covers part of the
tuition fee and the student is required to self-fund the remainder of the fees.
3. Tuition Fee Liability
3.1. Tuition fees must be paid by the first day of each term. Even where fees are payable by a
third party, students remain jointly liable to MPAA for fees notified to them.
3.2. If an employer or organisation is paying a student’s tuition fees they will need to provide
evidence of this in writing in line with the payment deadlines above, and all invoices must be
settled in full within 30 days. If invoices are not paid in accordance with these terms the
shortfall will be sought directly from the student.
MPAA Fee, Refund & Compensation Policy – Page 1
3.3. If fees are being paid by a relative or friend of the student, this is not considered as a formal
sponsorship. In this instance a student will be regarded as self-financing however the fee
payer must also sign the contract.
4. Fee Liability and Change of Circumstances
4.1. Tuition fee charges, for any self-financed element of tuition fees, are determined on the basis
of enrolment status and not actual attendance. If a student stops attending, but has not
formally withdrawn or intermitted their studies, they will be liable for self-financed tuition
fees until the point in time that they officially notify MPAA of their withdrawal.
4.2. If a student decides to withdraw from a course they must notify the relevant Course Director
of their decision. This must be done in writing, by email, unambiguously and will be
considered as received on the next working day after it was sent. In the absence of written
notification of withdrawal a student shall be assumed to be in attendance and as such remain
liable for the payment of tuition fees.
5. Withdrawals
5.1.

5.2. The above policy applies if you are studying any course at MPAA.
5.3. The first day of Autumn, Spring and Summer terms refers to the first date of your programme,
which for most, but not all, will be the same as the published term dates.
5.4. In the case where a student has received a scholarship or a bursary from MPAA and they
decide to withdraw from the course earlier, the student will be liable for the entire
scholarship or bursary.
5.5. This section does not apply in relation to the ISTD Dance Teacher Training Add-On and
MPAA Additional Course Fee. If a student withdraws from the BA (Hons) Course or the ISTD
Dance Teacher Training Add-On, regardless of when withdrawals take place, they are liable
for 100% of the cost of the course of the DDE Add-on and the Additional Course Fee.
6. Intermittent Study and Temporary withdrawals
6.1. The withdrawal process specified above also applies to students who choose to interrupt
their studies or whose studies are terminated.
6.2. Where payment has been made in excess of the tuition fee charged (including
non-refundable deposits) overpayment refunds will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
6.3. If a student interrupts their studies, their tuition fees liability will be treated as a withdrawal
and as outlined in section 6 above.
7. Fee waivers, Scholarships, Bursaries and Student Hardship Fund
7.1 MPAA Bursaries are offered at the commencement of each Academic Year. Other fee waivers
and awards, including one-off payments to help students in financial hardship, may be
MPAA Fee, Refund & Compensation Policy – Page 2
offered at any point during the academic year on a case-by-case basis. Details of these,
including how to apply, eligibility and terms and conditions, can be found by contacting
MPAA by email [email protected] or by phone 020 3950 7535.
7.2 If a student withdraws before the completion of their course, as per section 6 and 7 above,
MPAA reserves the right to revoke any scholarship, bursary and other academic award as
may have been given during the duration of the relevant course and seek repayment of the
same.
8. Debt policy and procedures
8.1. If a student fails to pay their tuition fees on time, various services such as access to tutorials,
library services or rehearsal space/studio bookings may be withdrawn and their enrolment
may be terminated.
8.2. If a student is unable to pay any fees or charges by the appropriate due date, they should
contact MPAA at the earliest opportunity.
8.3. If the financial circumstances of a student change after they start their course then MPAA
may be able to agree an installment plan on a case-by-case basis. Contact details for the
Finance Department are included at the end of this policy. Please note that documentary
evidence to support a request will be required before it can be considered.
9. Returning students with debt
Students with outstanding tuition fee debts from a previous academic year are not permitted
to re- enrol. All tuition fee debts must be paid in full before a student is able to return to
undertake another year of study.
10. External debt collection agencies
MPAA reserves the right to refer debt in respect of any former student to an external debt
collection for recovery or take any other reasonable and proportionate steps to recover the
outstanding debts.
11. Refunds
11.1. Refunds: Complaint Remedies
11.2. Appropriate response or agreed remedy when addressing a complaint or appeal include
alternatives to financial compensation which might include an apology or goodwill gesture,
or an offer of alternative learning methods if the course cannot be delivered in the way it was
originally intended.
11.3. A refund relates to the repayment of sums paid by a student to MPAA or an appropriate
reduction in the amount of sums owed in future by the student to MPAA.
11.4. Compensation will relate to some other recognisable loss suffered by the student. This
normally falls into two categories, either: (a) recompensing the student for out-of-pocket
expenses they have incurred for a scheduled activity that did not take place, which were paid
to someone other than MPAA (such as travel costs) or (b) an amount to recompense for
material disadvantage to the student arising from a failure by MPAA to discharge its duties
appropriately.
In the unlikely event that MPAA is no longer able to deliver the course the following
compensation might be offered:
● Travel expenses should the students’ commute be affected significantly by
relocation.
MPAA Fee, Refund & Compensation Policy – Page 3
● Any out of pocket costs associated with the transfer of provider.
There will be no compensation for any Bursaries offered by MPAA should there be a transfer
of provider; however we would make a case to the new provider to honour any existing
agreements.
11.5. Students should refer to MPAA’s Student Complaint Policy for in depth information relating
to Appeals and Complaints.
11.6. Refunds: Deposits
The Acceptance Deposit will be refunded without interest less any outstanding sums owed
by the student to MPAA upon completion of the Course
11.7. Payment of refunds
11.7.1. In accordance with UK anti-money laundering laws, refunds can only be made to the person
who originally paid the fee. In some cases, this will mean that the refund will be paid to
someone other than the student, such as a parent/guardian/sponsor.
11.7.2. Refunds will not be made in cash or by banker’s draft.
12. Anti-money laundering regulations
MPAA will not accept any payment from persons or organisations unless they relate to a valid
charge, levied or impending. This is to comply with UK Money Laundering regulations. Any
suspicious payments and or refund requests may be reported to the appropriate regulating
body.
13. Library Charges
Students using the Library have an obligation to respect the rights of others by returning
borrowed items on time. To encourage this, fines may be charged on items that are returned
late.
14. Other associated course costs
In addition to tuition fees, students will also need to budget for the following associated
course costs:
● Dance wear (a full kit list of required shoes, clothing will be provided on acceptance
of a place)
● Books and stationery
● Professional headshot
● Spotlight entry
● Agent Showcase Fee
● Exams and Exam Materials
● Cost of hiring Graduation Attire or photographic/videographic services
15. Contacting MPAA’s Finance Department
Students may find it necessary to contact someone regarding their financial account. To find
out more please contact the Finance Department:

● by email at [email protected] or by telephone on 020 3950 7534

This policy will be reviewed annually and updated as necessitated by legislation and/ or organisational changes