About These Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the educational services provided by The German School Uganda ("we," "our," or "us"), including but not limited to enrollment in German language courses, access to learning materials, use of our facilities, and participation in our programs.

By completing the enrollment process, making a payment, or accessing our services, you ("Student," "you," or "your") acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you are enrolling a minor, you confirm that you are the parent or legal guardian and have the authority to accept these Terms on their behalf.

We encourage you to review these Terms carefully, particularly the sections regarding payment obligations, cancellation and refund policies, and attendance requirements. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact our admissions team before enrolling.

1

Acceptance of Terms

By enrolling in any course or using any services provided by The German School Uganda, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and The German School Uganda.

If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must not enroll in our courses or use our services. We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time, and continued use of our services following any changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

📌 Important Note

These Terms apply to all students regardless of learning mode (onsite or online), course level (A1-C2), or payment method. Parents or legal guardians enrolling minors accept these Terms on behalf of the student.

2

Enrollment & Registration

2.1 Eligibility: To enroll in our courses, you must be at least 16 years of age. Students between 16 and 18 years old require written consent from a parent or legal guardian. Students under 16 may only enroll in specific youth programs with parental supervision.

2.2 Registration Process: Enrollment is complete only when all of the following conditions are met:

  • Submission of a completed enrollment form with accurate personal information
  • Provision of valid identification (National ID, Passport, or Driver's License)
  • Submission of one recent passport-sized photograph
  • Payment of the full course fee or first installment (for payment plans)
  • Signed acceptance of these Terms of Service

2.3 Accuracy of Information: You are responsible for providing accurate and complete information during registration. Any false, misleading, or incomplete information may result in immediate cancellation of your enrollment without refund.

2.4 Placement: For courses above A1 level, we may require proof of previous German language proficiency or administration of a placement test. We reserve the right to place you in the level we determine most appropriate based on your assessment results.

2.5 Class Capacity: Enrollment is subject to class availability. We maintain a maximum of 12 students per class. If a class is full, you will be placed on a waiting list or offered placement in the next available intake.

3

Payment Terms & Fees

3.1 Course Fees: All course fees are quoted in Uganda Shillings (UGX) and are inclusive of VAT where applicable. Fees cover tuition, learning materials, access to our online platform, and certificates of completion. Examination fees for external certifications (Goethe-Institut, telc, TestDaF, ÖSD) are not included unless specifically stated.

3.2 Payment Methods: We accept the following payment methods:

  • Mobile Money (MTN MoMo and Airtel Money)
  • Bank transfer to our designated account
  • Cash payments at our Kampala campus (receipt provided)
  • Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard)

3.3 Payment Schedule:

  • Single Payment: Full payment due at the time of enrollment
  • Installment Plan: Available for B2, C1, and C2 levels only, with 2-3 installments. First installment due at enrollment; remaining balance due before the mid-point of the course

3.4 Late Payment: Failure to pay installments by their due dates may result in suspension of access to classes and learning materials until the balance is settled. A late payment fee of 5% may be applied to overdue amounts.

⚠️ Price Changes

Course fees are subject to change without prior notice for future intakes. Once enrolled and payment received, your fee is locked for the duration of your registered course. Price changes do not affect already enrolled students.

3.5 Receipts & Invoices: Official receipts will be issued for all payments. Invoice requests for institutional or employer reimbursement must be made at the time of enrollment.

4

Cancellation & Refund Policy

4.1 Student-Initiated Cancellation: Refunds are processed according to the following schedule based on the date of cancellation relative to the course start date:

  • 7 or more days before start: 100% refund minus administrative fee of UGX 50,000
  • 3-6 days before start: 50% refund of course fees paid
  • Less than 3 days before start: No refund, but one transfer to a future intake within 6 months
  • After classes have commenced: No refund under any circumstances

4.2 School-Initiated Cancellation: If The German School Uganda cancels a course due to insufficient enrollment, instructor unavailability, or force majeure, you will receive a full refund or the option to transfer to an alternative course or intake of equal value.

4.3 Refund Processing: Approved refunds will be processed within 14 business days via the original payment method. Mobile Money refunds are typically processed within 3-5 business days; bank transfers may take up to 14 business days.

4.4 Course Transfers: Students may transfer their enrollment to a different course level, schedule, or intake subject to the following conditions:

  • Transfer requests must be made at least 48 hours before the original course start date
  • One free transfer is permitted per enrollment; subsequent transfers incur an administrative fee of UGX 50,000
  • Transfers are valid for up to 6 months from the original enrollment date
  • Price differences must be paid or will be refunded as applicable

4.5 Transfer to Another Person: Enrollment transfers to another individual are permitted up to 48 hours before the course start date, subject to an administrative fee of UGX 50,000 and the new student meeting all enrollment requirements.

5

Attendance Requirements

5.1 Minimum Attendance: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled classes to be eligible for the final assessment and certificate of completion. Attendance is tracked for every session.

5.2 Late Arrival: Students arriving more than 15 minutes late to a class may be denied entry to avoid disrupting the learning environment. Repeated late arrivals may be counted as partial absences.

5.3 Absence Notification: If you cannot attend a class, please notify us at least 2 hours in advance via email, phone, or WhatsApp. While notification does not excuse the absence, it helps us plan accordingly.

5.4 Make-Up Options:

  • Online students: Access to recorded sessions for missed classes
  • Onsite students: Option to attend equivalent sessions in parallel class groups (subject to availability)
  • Supplementary tutoring: Available at additional cost upon request

📝 Certificate Eligibility

Students who fail to meet the 80% attendance threshold will not receive a certificate of completion but may receive a statement of participation upon request. They may retake the course at a discounted rate (50% of current fees).

6

Student Responsibilities

As a student of The German School Uganda, you agree to:

  • Arrive on time and prepared for each class with all required materials
  • Complete all assigned homework, projects, and assessments
  • Participate actively in class activities and discussions
  • Respect instructors, staff, and fellow students at all times
  • Maintain academic integrity and avoid plagiarism or cheating
  • Keep login credentials for our online platform confidential
  • Notify us promptly of any changes to your contact information
  • Comply with all health and safety regulations on campus
  • Take reasonable care of school property and facilities

Failure to meet these responsibilities may result in warnings, suspension, or dismissal from the course without refund, depending on the severity of the violation.

7

Code of Conduct

7.1 General Behavior: All students, staff, and visitors are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful, professional, and courteous manner. Discrimination, harassment, bullying, or any form of disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated.

7.2 Prohibited Conduct: The following behaviors are strictly prohibited and may result in immediate dismissal:

  • Any form of harassment, discrimination, or hate speech
  • Disruptive behavior that interferes with the learning environment
  • Use of alcohol, illegal substances, or tobacco on school premises
  • Theft, vandalism, or deliberate damage to school property
  • Cheating, plagiarism, or academic dishonesty
  • Recording or photographing classes without explicit permission
  • Unauthorized distribution of course materials
  • Any illegal activity on school premises or at school events

7.3 Disciplinary Process: Violations will be addressed through a progressive disciplinary process: verbal warning → written warning → suspension → dismissal. Serious violations may result in immediate dismissal without refund.

8

Intellectual Property

8.1 Course Materials: All course materials, including but not limited to textbooks, workbooks, handouts, slides, audio recordings, videos, digital content, and assessments, are the intellectual property of The German School Uganda or its licensors. These materials are provided for personal educational use only.

8.2 Restrictions: You may not:

  • Reproduce, distribute, or share course materials with third parties
  • Upload materials to file-sharing platforms or public websites
  • Use materials for commercial purposes
  • Modify, adapt, or create derivative works from the materials
  • Remove any copyright or proprietary notices from materials

8.3 Online Platform: Access to our online learning platform is granted for the duration of your enrolled course only. Access will be terminated upon course completion or cancellation. Account sharing is strictly prohibited.

8.4 Student Work: You retain ownership of original work you create during the course. However, by submitting work for assessment, you grant The German School Uganda a non-exclusive license to use your work for educational purposes, testimonials, and promotional materials (with your consent).

9

Certificates & Examinations

9.1 Certificates of Completion: Students who successfully complete a course level and meet attendance requirements will receive an official certificate from The German School Uganda. Certificates are issued within 14 days of course completion.

9.2 Assessment Standards: Final assessments evaluate all four language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) according to CEFR standards. A passing grade requires a minimum score of 60% in each skill area.

9.3 External Certifications: Preparation for external certifications (Goethe-Institut, telc, TestDaF, ÖSD) is included in our curriculum. However, registration and fees for external examinations are the student's responsibility unless otherwise stated.

9.4 Retakes: Students who do not pass the final assessment may retake it once within 3 months at no additional cost. A second retake incurs a fee of UGX 100,000.

9.5 Certificate Replacement: Lost or damaged certificates can be replaced for an administrative fee of UGX 50,000 per certificate.

10

Liability & Disclaimers

10.1 Limitation of Liability: To the maximum extent permitted by law, The German School Uganda shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of our services.

10.2 Educational Outcomes: While we strive to provide high-quality education, we do not guarantee specific learning outcomes, certification exam results, employment, visa approvals, or university admissions. Language acquisition depends on individual effort, attendance, and aptitude.

10.3 Personal Property: Students are responsible for their personal belongings. The German School Uganda is not liable for loss, theft, or damage to personal property on our premises.

10.4 Force Majeure: We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, pandemics, government actions, strikes, or utility failures.

10.5 Health & Safety: While we maintain safe learning environments, students participate in our programs at their own risk. We recommend that all students have adequate health insurance coverage.

⚠️ Important Disclaimer

The German School Uganda provides language education services only. We are not an immigration consultancy, employment agency, or university admissions office. Any guidance provided regarding visas, jobs, or university applications is informational only and does not constitute professional advice.

11

Privacy & Data Protection

11.1 Data Collection: We collect and process personal data as necessary to provide our educational services. This includes contact information, educational records, payment details, and attendance records.

11.2 Data Usage: Your personal data is used for:

  • Course administration and communication
  • Payment processing and record-keeping
  • Issuance of certificates and academic records
  • Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
  • Marketing communications (with your consent)

11.3 Data Protection: We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

11.4 Data Sharing: We do not sell or rent your personal data to third parties. We may share data with:

  • Examination bodies (Goethe-Institut, telc, etc.) for certification purposes
  • Payment processors for transaction processing
  • Legal authorities when required by law

11.5 Your Rights: You have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal data. For privacy-related inquiries or requests, please contact our Data Protection Officer at [email protected].

For complete details, please review our Privacy Policy.

12

Changes to Terms & Governing Law

12.1 Amendments: We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email or posted on our website at least 14 days before taking effect. Continued use of our services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the amended Terms.

12.2 Governing Law: These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Uganda. Any disputes arising from these Terms or our services shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Uganda.

12.3 Dispute Resolution: In the event of a dispute, we encourage you to first contact us to seek an amicable resolution. If resolution cannot be reached, disputes shall be settled through mediation before resorting to litigation.

12.4 Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

12.5 Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and The German School Uganda regarding your use of our services, superseding any prior agreements or understandings.

Key Policies at a Glance

Summary of our most important policies for quick reference.

💰

Refund Policy

Clear refund structure based on cancellation timing:

  • 7+ days before: 100% refund*
  • 3-6 days before: 50% refund
  • <3 days before: Transfer only
  • After start: No refund

*Minus UGX 50,000 admin fee

💳

Payment Options

Flexible payment methods and plans:

  • Mobile Money (MTN/Airtel)
  • Bank transfer
  • Cash at campus
  • Credit/Debit cards
  • Installment plans (B2-C2)
📊

Attendance Rule

Minimum requirements for certification:

  • 80% minimum attendance
  • 60% pass mark per skill
  • One free retake available
  • 14-day certificate issuance
  • UGX 50K replacement fee

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about our Terms of Service and policies.

What is the cancellation policy at The German School Uganda?

Full refunds are available if you cancel 7 or more days before the course start date. Cancellations within 3-6 days before start receive a 50% refund. Cancellations less than 3 days before the start date or after classes begin are not refundable, but you may transfer to a future intake once within 6 months.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept Mobile Money (MTN and Airtel), bank transfers, cash payments at our Kampala campus, and major credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard). Payment plans are available for B2, C1, and C2 levels upon request.

What happens if I miss classes?

Students are expected to attend at least 80% of scheduled classes to be eligible for the final exam and certificate. Missed classes can be made up through our recorded session library (online students) or supplementary tutoring sessions (subject to availability and additional fees).

Can I transfer my enrollment to another person?

Enrollment transfers to another person are allowed up to 48 hours before the course start date, subject to a small administrative fee of UGX 50,000. The new student must meet all enrollment requirements and complete the registration process.

Do you offer payment plans for courses?

Yes, we offer flexible payment plans for B2, C1, and C2 level courses. You can pay in 2-3 installments with the first installment due at enrollment and the remaining balance paid before the mid-point of the course. A small processing fee may apply.

Have Questions About Our Terms?

Our team is here to clarify any part of these Terms of Service before you enroll.

Contact Us → Enroll Now