General terms of delivery for ITC courses
Article 1. General provisions
1.1 The general terms of delivery apply to all agreements with ITC regarding courses in the sense of these general terms of delivery.
1.2 Any departure from these terms and/or agreement must be stated in writing.
1.3 Within these terms the following definitions apply:
- ITC:
Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation of the University of Twente, located at Hengelosestraat 99, Enschede. - Course:
all training courses and other forms of education conducted by ITC, as well as advice in the broadest sense of the word, with an eye both to obtaining a PhD, MSc, Master or Postgraduate diploma and to short training. - Candidate:
he/she who has registered with ITC to follow a course and/or to sit the course tests and examinations. - Enrolled candidate:
he/she who has registered with ITC to follow a course and has fulfilled his/her financial obligations with regard to following this course or who has received a guarantee from ITC in this respect. - Student:
he/she who has registered with ITC, has been duly placed, and is following a course. - Client:
a person who registers for participation in a course and finances this him/herself; a legal person or entity that registers one or more people for participation in a course. - Application:
the candidate advises ITC in writing that he/she wishes to follow a course. This transaction should be seen as a proposal to ITC to be registered for a course and a statement of approval of these general terms of delivery. - Placement:
the ITC transaction whereby the proposal of the candidate is accepted by ITC. - Tuition fee:
the amount that the candidate must pay to ITC in return for being permitted to follow the course. - Additional costs:
the amount that ITC charges for the (use of) course material and activities arising from the course. - Course material:
readers, brochures, handbooks, digital access to course material, and other material that is necessary for knowledge transfer and application during the period of the course. - Participation:
following the course for which the student is registered and taking part in its related activities. - Dispute:
difference of opinion between ITC and the student or client concerning the interpretation of these course conditions and the related principles governing the course agreement, whereby, after proceeding in accordance with the complaints regulation, no agreement can be reached. - ITC website:
ITC’s internet pages that are accessible via the home page at www.itc.nl. - Complaints:
disagreements with ITC and dissatisfaction of the student or client concerning the course. - ITC study regulation:
the study regulations of ITC (PhD protocol, study regulations for MSc, Master, Postgraduate, Diploma, Certificate, Distance and Certificate of Attendance courses), as published on the ITC website. As regards a PhD study, the study regulation of ITC’s partner university where the student is taking his/her doctoral degree likewise applies. - Premature termination: termination of participation and course agreement before the successful conclusion and after the start of the course.
- Resources: privileges and facilities required for the successful participation and provision of information during the course, such as the (digital) library, e-mail, Blackboard, and transport concerning organised courses on offer at different locations.
Article 2. Registration
2.1 Registration for a course is effected by means of the application form and payment of the tuition fee and the additional costs possibly by arranging a payment plan or by ITC giving a guarantee.
2.2 In the case where the candidate’s course is being funded by a client, registration is effected by means of the application form and a signed agreement between ITC and the client.
2.3 The application form is sent at the student’s request and is also available via the ITC website.
2.4 The candidate should personally take care of his/her registration.
2.5 Registration is for the entire duration of the course and applies only to the course stated on the application form.
2.6 Registration can be effected only if the application form is fully completed and all necessary documents are received. ITC is responsible for assessing the application and whether or not the candidate satisfies the admission requirements.
2.7 The student registrar is the contact person for the candidate during the registration period.
2.8 The application can be rejected in writing by ITC by means of a rejection letter.
2.9 If the candidate is registered for the course, he/she receives confirmation of registration.
2.10 No rights can be derived from the confirmation of registration.
2.11 In the case of too many registrations, a waiting list is drawn up. Candidates on the waiting list have priority when it comes to registration for the next course.
2.12 After ITC has confirmed the placement to the candidate in writing, ITC can deem the candidate’s placement to be accepted. The letter of confirmation serves as proof of placement.
2.13 If applicable, ITC arranges the authorisation for temporary stay (Machtiging Voorlopig Verblijf (MVV)) and a health and legal liability insurance for enrolled candidates. The MVV is deemed to be included in the additional costs; the insurance is charged separately to the enrolled candidate. The insurance remains the responsibility of the enrolled candidate. If there is any doubt about the adequacy of the enrolled candidate’s insurance, ITC reserves the right to insure, and charge the costs involved to, the enrolled candidate.
2.14 Accommodation is reserved in the ITC International Hotel (IIH) for all enrolled candidates. They are obliged to make use of this accommodation.
Students who are nationals of the European Union with an Erasmus Mundus scholarship, are exempted from this obligation.
PhD students can find accommodation elsewhere after six months.
The (subsidised) tariffs for IIH accommodation are published on the ITC website.
Article 3. Cancellation of registration
3.1 If there are insufficient enrolled candidates, ITC is entitled to call off the course. The placed candidate receives written notification to this effect at least two weeks before the start of the course. Any payment already made to ITC for tuition fee and additional costs is refunded. Participation in another course can be arranged in consultation.
3.2 In the case of cancellation of the course, the enrolled candidate is not entitled to any compensation from ITC, other than the amounts referred to in article 3.1.
3.3 A candidate who has applied and been placed is committed to paying the tuition fee and the additional costs, unless another agreement has been reached.
3.4 If a placed candidate decides against participation, the candidate or, if applicable, the client is liable for the following cancellation costs:
- 10% of the total tuition fee if cancellation takes place at a point earlier than two months before the start of the course.
- 20% of the total tuition fee if cancellation takes place at a point between two months and one month before the start of the course.
30% of the total tuition fee if cancellation takes place at a point within one month of the start of the course. - 100% of the total tuition fee if cancellation takes place after the course has started.
- No cancellation charges are incurred for courses shorter than three months if cancellation takes place more than one month before the start of the course.
- In the case of distance education, 100% of the total tuition fee is due if cancellation takes place within two weeks of the start of the course or after the course material has been sent.
- No cancellation charges are incurred if the enrolled candidate or the client, with the written consent of ITC, allows the place to be taken by another candidate before the start of the course.
Article 4. Tuition fees and additional costs
4.1 The levels of tuition fees and additional costs are determined per academic year and exclude VAT.
4.2 The tuition fees and the additional costs are made known to candidates in the brochures and on the ITC website.
4.3 The tuition fees and the additional costs are fixed payments to ITC.
4.4 The stipulated tuition fee excludes study material provided by ITC and activities arising from the course, unless otherwise stated.
4.5 If no other term of payment has been agreed, the candidate should have paid before the start of the course, this without discount, settlement or set-off of debts. When making payment, the period necessary for the possible arrangement of a residence permit and for sending course material, or for other commitments for which proof of payment of the tuition fee is a requirement, should be taken into account. ITC is entitled to deny the candidate admission to the course if the stipulated tuition fee and/or the additional costs have not been paid before the start of the course at ITC.
4.6 After placement, the candidate receives an invoice stating the tuition fee and the additional costs to be paid. In the case of an agreement with a client, the invoice is sent to the client.
4.7 The candidate or, if applicable, the client is responsible for settling the tuition fee and the additional costs in full and for the continuation of any agreed payment instalments.
4.8 If desired by the candidate or the client, ITC handles the payment of a monthly allowance to the student. This monthly allowance must be received by ITC for the entire duration of the course before the start of the course, unless a payment plan has been arranged. The payment plan must be confirmed by ITC in writing.
4.9 Some ITC courses include an element of fieldwork or a study excursion. In the event of cancellation of planned fieldwork or study excursion ITC has no obligation to substitute other fieldwork or study excursion. If a course does not include fieldwork or study excursions then a candidate has no right to claim a refund of course fees or costs.
Article 5. The course
5.1 ITC can apply a minimum and a maximum to the number of students per course.
5.2 ITC is entitled to make changes to the programme, location, course content and/or team of lecturers for the purpose of achieving the course objectives.
5.3 If the course demands a certain level of education or if prior knowledge is desirable, this should be seen as an indication of the degree of difficulty that can be expected.
5.4 The content, the course programme and the admission requirements are stated by ITC in the brochures and on the ITC website.
5.5 The course begins on the first day of the course. The first day of the course is indicated in a letter of invitation to the enrolled candidate.
5.6 ITC provides the enrolled candidate with the necessary information, such as accommodation, arrival information, timetable, etc., before the start of the course.
5.7 The student is responsible for developing knowledge, skills and competences during the period of his/her course.
5.8 ITC is entitled to archive the products produced by the student during the period of his/her course and to use them for publications.
5.9 At the conclusion of his/her course, the student is obliged to take part in the course evaluation, for example by completing the evaluation form and taking part in a possible meeting.
Article 6. Certification
6.1 ITC is responsible for handling examinations and certification.
6.2 By means of examinations on the course modules followed, ITC assesses whether the student has acquired sufficient knowledge and competences during the course.
6.3 The course coordinator advises the student of the components to be examined, as well as the dates and location, well in advance.
6.4 The form of examination and the extent of the examinations are stated by ITC in the course material.
6.5 Results of examinations are notified in the way described in the course information.
6.6 If participation in a course has taken place, proof of participation or a certificate is obtainable on request.
6.7 If the student has successfully completed the course, he/she receives a testimonial in the form of a diploma or certificate.
6.8 Award of diplomas and certificates occurs in the way described in the course information by means of the stated testimonials.
Article 7. Course materials and resources
7.1 Course materials are distributed only after placement and compliance by the candidate or client with the payment obligations as referred to in article 4 of these general terms.
7.2 ITC makes available to the student the resources necessary according to the nature of the course and the information provided. The student is advised via the course information or in a way determined by the course coordinator of the resources to which he/she is entitled.
7.3 Resources are held and used in accordance with the regulations applicable within ITC, which are published on the ITC website.
7.4 The ITC rules on authors’ rights apply to the use of course materials (article 10 and the section on copyrights on the ITC website).
Article 8. Participation
8.1 Course participation is allowed only for the duration of the course for which registration has been effected.
8.2 The student is responsible for his/her course attendance and participation and, if the student has been duly registered in this respect, likewise for the corresponding examination, whatever the circumstances.
8.3 The ITC study regulation applies during the student’s participation and presence on and around ITC or IIH terrain. By signing these general terms, the candidate declares that he/she has inspected this study regulation and can agree with its content.
8.4 The candidate is committed to comply with the code of conduct and safety regulations applicable within ITC. In the case where fellow students or personnel of ITC are harmed by unreasonable behaviour and/or acts in contravention of these regulations, ITC is entitled to deny the student continued participation in the course. In this case the student’s entitlement to accommodation arranged by ITC lapses.
8.5 Notebook requirements
From September 2011, participants that start an ITC course of nine months or longer (MSc, Master and Diploma courses), are required to have a notebook computer that meets ITC’s requirements. These minimum requirements can be found on ITC’s website under the section ‘Admission Requirements’ and may vary from time to time.
To make the purchase of notebook computers easier and more affordable, ITC offers the ‘ITC Notebook Programme’ through which students can purchase discounted notebooks that meet ITC's standards and have the peripherals needed to connect to the ITC networks.
Course participants can of course either bring their own laptops or purchase one from other sources as long as they meet the minimum requirements.
Article 9. Premature termination of course
9.1 If the candidate or the client terminates the course prematurely, then the candidate and/or the client is liable for 100% of the tuition fee, and furthermore for part -to be determined by ITC- of the additional costs (see article 3.4).
9.2 The student should advise the ITC course coordinator in writing of the premature termination of the course.
9.3 If a student interrupts his/her study prematurely, an arrangement should be agreed in writing with the ITC course coordinator. This arrangement must be approved by the ITC head marketing and project services.
Article 10. Authors’ rights
10.1 ITC holds the authors’ rights to course material made available to the student for authorised use. In no way may the course material be reproduced and/or made public without prior permission of ITC.
10.2 ITC is entitled to archive products developed by the student during course participation and for the benefit of the student. These products can be used and reproduced free of charge for internal use in the broadest sense of the word, including but not limited to use for educational objectives, evaluations, and promotional material for the purpose of acquiring funding and/or students.
10.3 Publication, other than that referred to in article 10.2, of developed products made available in any way by the student, occurs only with prior permission of the student.
Article 11. Force majeure and liability
11.1 ITC strives to carry out the courses to the best of its understanding and ability.
11.2 If, as a result of force majeure, ITC must deviate from the course data and location stated, ITC is not liable for any resulting damage. The term “force majeure” is taken to include any unforeseen circumstances beyond ITC’s control that compels it to deviate from the course data stated.
11.3 Any liability of ITC for damage, for whatever reason, to a student or third party that has occurred in connection with the course, including damage through theft or loss and possible consequential loss or product damage, is limited to the amount that, in the case in question, has been paid by the person concerned in tuition fee and will never amount to more than the amount that ITC’s liability insurer will pay out in the case in question.
11.4 Compensation can be claimed from anyone who makes unlawful use of course resources.
Article 12. Regulation on complaints and disputes
12.1 In the case of complaints and disputes, the procedures stated in the ITC study regulation apply. The course coordinator should be advised of complaints and disputes within a month of the complaint arising, and certainly before the official ending of the course.
Article 13. Final provisions
13.1 These terms of delivery apply to all courses that are offered by ITC and are published on the ITC website.
13.2 Dutch law applies to all agreements and disputes between candidate or client and ITC. The Dutch Court is entitled to be advised of all disputes between ITC, on the one hand, and the student, candidate or client, on the other.