Fees and Refund Policy

Our strategy with fees at ICD is very simple:

Section 3.1.3 of QQI’s code of practice for provision of programmes of education and training to international learners (2015) specified that providers ‘shall have a fees policy that details the manner in which fees will be collected from learners and that incorporates a refund policy’.

Non-Discriminatory Fees

The college operates a transparent and non-discriminatory pricing policy with academic fees set the same level irrespective of nationality or EU citizenship. The only exception to this is for students who require added assistance from ICD in applying for study visas before arriving in Ireland (and increased fees in that case, to cover extra costs of assisting with and processing the application, ONLY apply in the first year of the student’s period of study at ICD – after the first year, such student pays fees equal to all other students):

• Equal fees for all ICD students who not require ICD assistance with application for a study visa in advance of arriving in Ireland: We do charge Irish-based, EU and Non-EU the same fees (provided they do not require ICD assistance with application for a study visa in advance of arriving in Ireland). For nationalities like Brazil, Korea, South Africa, America, for example, who do not require applying for Irish study visa in advance and can arrive in Ireland without a visa, these learners will be charged the same fees as all students originating from Ireland and the EU.
• Higher fees in the first year (of study) ONLY for students who require ICD assistance with study visa applications before arriving in Ireland: The only fees difference is for those students who do require applying for an Irish study visa before arriving Ireland (i.e. Chinese, Indian, Nepalese, Pakistani, Malawi, etc.) – their fees will be higher in first year of study at ICD (Euro 7500 (at time of writing, August 2019) for the first year since this will involve extra cost, i.e. agent commission, extra administration cost for visas, etc.). Once those students arrive in Ireland, their remaining fees (e.g. 2nd year or 3rd year) will be charged the same as any other students.

Clear Information About Fees and Learner Protection Insurance:

Clear information about fees, fee collection, learner protection insurance and refunds are given to all learners both during the application process, and during induction. ICD’s refund policy is provided to learners during induction and includes provisions for cancellation prior to commencement (see later in the present student handbook, for the refund policy, which is given to all students as part of induction). All enrolled learners are also covered by learner protection insurance provided by the specialist education insurance platform ‘Study and Protect’. This learner protection policy meets the needs of the Educational Act 2012 which is recognized by the Department of Justice and approved by QQI.

Protection of Enrolled Learners Insurance

ICD Business School is fully compliant with the legal requirements of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 (regulation 3.3.2.b). Following QQI’s protocols for the implementation of part six of the 2012 Act, ICD has purchased enrolled learner protection insurance for all of its students from educational insurance platform Study and Protect/ O’Driscoll O’Neil DAC, 17 Herbert Place, Dublin 2. Enrolled Learner Protection offers protection to students in two ways, firstly with cover for their fees, and secondly through an extensive auditing process for all schools that are certified to offer Enrolled Learner Protection insurance to their students. In the event of an issue with their original provider, this policy offers students placement with an alternative college or the return of their fees. Although it is not practicable for the college, given its context, to secure agreements with alternate providers for learner transfer, ICD has put in place arrangements which will enable it to refund an enrolled learner, or person who has paid moneys on behalf of an enrolled learner, in any of the scenarios described in part six of the 2012 Act. Each student receives a certificate with their own personal policy number accompanied by a designated customer service hotline to contact in the event of a claim. Details of these learner protection arrangements are provided directly to prospective learners during the application process, and during initial induction of enrolled learners.

ICD’s Registrar and Academic Council are responsible for:

• Notifying QQI of the college’s PEL arrangements and ensuring that they are published and made accessible to all interested parties.
• Periodically reviewing the college’s PEL arrangements and ensuring that they are adequate and meet legal requirements.
• Making sure that the number of enrolled learners on each programme does not exceed the maximum number specified in agreed PEL arrangements.
• Notifying learners of any change to these arrangements (within 14 days of becoming aware of any change).

Policy on programme fees

Programme fees vary by programme. The most up to date list of programme fees is always available by contacting info@icd.ie (email). Programme fees are subject to change each year.
The fees for all programmes are available here: –

Click here for fees for all applicants who are

• Irish citizens
• EU citizens
• Non-EU citizens who are residing (living) in Ireland at the time of application

Click here for fees for all applicants who are

• Non-EU citizens who are residing (living) OUTSIDE of Ireland at the time of application

Please note: There is a once off fee of 200 euros when a student graduates. This is to cover the cost of the ‘graduate parchment’ (certificate)

Policy on repeat assessment fees

If a student fails an assessment and must repeat, this student will incur a repeat fee of €150.

Policy on fees relating to assessment grade reviews

A student who is not satisfied with the outcome of stage two of the grade appeals process at ICD (see the grade appeals policy later in the student handbook for more detail) has the option to request a review. Each time a student requests a review, they will incur a fee of €50 (payment process managed and recorded by the Registrar). If the review results in an increase in the student’s grade/mark, the review fee will be refunded. “Review means the re-consideration of the assessment decision, either by the original assessor or by other competent persons. Learners are required to state the grounds for the requested review” (QQI 2013 section 4.10.3).

Policy on fees relating to repeats due to breach of regulations

Any requirements to repeat assessments or examinations or modules (due to a breach of regulations (academic breaches or non-academic breaches)) may carry fees. If a student must repeat an assessment or examination, this student will incur a repeat fee of €150. If the student must repeat a module, this will carry a module repeat fee (which varies for each programme). If the student must repeat a full semester, they will need to pay at least half the full year’s tuition fees. If a student must repeat a year, they must pay a full year’s tuition fees.

ICD’s Refund Policy

Program Cancellation by Student

All refund requests must be made in writing to the Admissions Office, ICD Business School, Wicklow House, 84-88 South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland.

New Students – Cancellation prior to commencement of semester: Domestic Students

• Domestic students who cancel their admission to a program of study before semester commencement will receive a full refund of fees paid.
• Fees are credited to students’ account.
• Refunds must be requested in writing via the Request for Refund form.

New Students – Cancellation prior to commencement of semester: International Students

• International students who cancel their admission to a program of study before semester commencement will be charged the fee equivalent of half the annual fee.
• These penalties are waived where a student cancels due to serious illness or personal misadventure – as deemed by the Extenuating Circumstances in The Student Handbook.
• Fees are credited to students’ account.
• International students whose visa application is rejected will receive a full refund of fees. Proof of visa rejection must be submitted to the Admissions Office in writing.
• Refunds must be requested in writing with documentary evidence via the Request for Refund form.

New Students – Cancellation after commencement of semester: Domestic Students

Domestic students who cancel their program after the commencement of the semester will attract the following penalty:

• Up to end of Week 2 – No penalty (full tuition credit).
• Cancellations between week 3 and the end of Week 4 will attract a cancellation penalty of one full subject/module fee.
• After week 4, there is no tuition credit. These penalties are waived where a student cancels due to serious illness or personal misadventure (extenuating circumstances) as deemed by the rules and regulations set out in The ICD Business School Student Handbook. Refunds must be requested in writing with documentary evidence via the Request for Refund form.

New Students – Cancellation after commencement of semester: International Students

International students who cancel their program after the commencement of the semester will attract the following penalty:

• Cancellations between week 1 and the end of Week 4 will attract a cancellation penalty of half of the full fee.
• After week 4, there is no tuition credit. These penalties are waived where a student cancels due to serious illness or personal misadventure as deemed by the rules and regulations set out in The ICD Business School Student Handbook.
• International students who cancel their program whilst in Ireland will have refunds, where applicable, forwarded to their home country.
• Refunds must be requested in writing with documentary evidence via the Request for Refund form.

Program Cancellation by ICD Business School

If a program or subject is cancelled by ICD Business School, a full refund will apply. Enrolled students are also covered by ICD’s learning protection policies.

Program Deferment: Domestic Students

• Should a domestic student defer studies to a future semester all fees will be credited according to the following schedule,
• Up to end of Week 2 – No penalty (full tuition credit)
• Cancellations between week 3 and the end of Week 4 will attract a cancellation penalty of half of the full fee
• After week 4 No refund applies

Program Deferment: International Students

• Should an international student defer studies to a future semester all fees may be credited according to the following schedule
• Up to end of Week 2 – Fee equivalent to a single subject fee
• Cancellations between week 3 and the end of Week 4 will attract a cancellation penalty of a full fee
• After week 4 No refund applies

Individual Subject Cancellation

Fees for cancelled subjects will be credited on a pro-rata basis as follows:

• Up to end of Week 2 – No penalty (full tuition credit)
• Cancellations between week 3 and the end of Week 4 will attract a cancellation penalty of the full subject/module
• Please note that overseas students on a student visa must undertake a full-time study load per semester.

Expulsion

Students excluded from ICD Business School for disciplinary reasons or deported from the country for contravening visa requirements will forfeit all fees.

Refund Policy pertaining to Electronic Payments.

All requests for electronic refunds must be made in writing.

The Information contained in this publication is intended for persons seeking admission and currently studying in ICD Business School. ICD Business School reserves the right to make changes affecting policies, fees, curriculum, or any other matters referred to in this publication without prior notice. Students should keep informed as to the conditions and regulations applicable to their situation at any given time.