Promised zero fees

Marjorie1936

I was offered a place on a foundation course at £0 fees. I am 19 but had applied after my dad died and explained this in my application as to why I was applying after I was 18 when I would have received free fees.
The college does not allow deferred places. I accepted the zero fees place within the time scale and started to receive enrolment instructions etc. Now they are saying they made a mistake and I should be paying fees and want over £5000. I have already enrolled. Does the original offer which I accepted constitute a contract under consumer law?

Reply 1

DiegoAntonio

Original post by Marjorie1936

In your situation, the original offer from the college, which you accepted, can indeed be considered a contract under consumer law, especially if certain conditions were clearly communicated and met. Here are a few points to consider:

Offer and Acceptance: You received an offer from the college for a foundation course with zero fees, which you accepted within the specified timeframe. This acceptance typically forms a contractual agreement between you and the college.

Enrolment and Confirmation: You proceeded to enrol in the course based on this offer, following all enrolment instructions provided by the college. This action further supports the formation of a contractual relationship.

Consumer Rights: Consumer law protects individuals in situations where offers are made and accepted, and where there is reliance on the terms of that offer. If the college made an error in offering you zero fees but you accepted it in good faith and enrolled accordingly, you may have rights under consumer protection laws to uphold the original terms of the offer.

College Error: The fact that the college now claims it made a mistake and wants to charge you over £5000 does not automatically void the original offer and acceptance. They may have a responsibility to honor the terms of the offer as accepted by you, particularly if you acted in reliance on those terms to your detriment.

Legal Advice: Considering the complexity of the situation and the potential financial implications, it would be advisable to seek legal advice from a solicitor specializing in consumer rights or contract law. They can provide guidance tailored to your specific circumstances and help you understand your rights and options moving forward.

In summary, the original offer that you accepted likely constitutes a contract under consumer law. The college's error in offering zero fees does not automatically release them from honoring the terms of the contract, especially after you have enrolled based on those terms. Seeking legal advice will be crucial in determining how best to proceed and protect your interests.

Reply 2

Marjorie1936

Thank you - this is what I thought. It’s probably why they are ignoring my attempts to discuss this further. Thanks again for taking the time to reply, it’s much appreciated particularly a they are not making it easy for me now.