General Terms and Conditions of W2G Academy GmbH

§1 Provider and Applicability

(1) The provider of the services is

W2G Academy GmbH

Theaterstraße 30–32

52062 Aachen, Germany

Email: info@stk-aachen.de

Operator of the Studienkolleg Aachen (hereinafter referred to as “Studienkolleg”).

(2) These General Terms and Conditions (GTC) apply to all contracts for German courses and preparatory courses between W2G Academy GmbH and course participants.

(3) The version valid at the time of conclusion of the contract applies.

(4) Changes to these GTC apply only to future contracts. Existing contracts remain unaffected unless the course participant explicitly agrees to the changes.

§2 Conclusion of contract

(1) Registration for a course must be submitted in writing (e.g., by email) and constitutes a binding offer by the course participant to conclude a training contract.

(2) After reviewing the registration, the Studienkolleg will send a payment request containing the essential contract details. This letter constitutes a binding contract offer from the Studienkolleg.

(3) The contract is concluded as soon as the participant transfers the course fee specified in the payment request within the specified period. By making the payment, the participant declares their acceptance of the offer.

(4) The General Terms and Conditions are an integral part of the contract. They are expressly referred to in the payment request. The General Terms and Conditions can be accessed via the link provided there or will be sent in text form upon request.

(5) By making payment, the participant confirms that they have read and agree to the General Terms and Conditions.

(6) If payment is not made by the deadline, the Studienkolleg is no longer bound by the offer.

§3 Purpose of the contract

(1) The purpose of the contract is the implementation of:

a) preparatory German courses (A1–C1)

b) subject-specific focus courses (T, W, M, G courses) that serve as academic and subject-specific preparation for various further education paths.

These include in particular:

• preparation for the external university entrance qualification examination (FSP),

• preparation for the TestAS as a study aptitude test,

• subject-specific preparation for vocational training in the relevant field,

• as well as in-depth subject-specific preparation for university studies for participants who already have a university entrance qualification.

(2) The specific pathway option (e.g., FSP, TestAS, vocational training, or direct university admission) depends on the individual requirements of the course participant and the respective admission requirements of the relevant institutions.

(3) The Studienkolleg is responsible for the proper conduct of classes, but not for admission to examinations, degree programs, or vocational training positions.

§ 4 Minimum number of participants

(1) Language courses: minimum number of participants 6.

(2) Foundation courses: minimum number of participants 10.

(3) If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the Studienkolleg may postpone the course or withdraw from the contract.

Any fees already paid will be refunded in full. No further claims can be made.

§5 Terms of payment

(1) The course fee must be paid in full within the period specified in the payment request.

(2) If payment is not made on time, the Studienkolleg is not obliged to reserve the participant's place in the course.

(3) If payment by installments has been agreed, the entire remaining amount shall become due immediately if the participant is in delay with two consecutive installments.

(4) The Studienkolleg is entitled to exclude participants from attendance in the event of late payment until full payment has been made.

§6 Force majeure and form of instruction

(1) In the event of force majeure or other circumstances beyond the control of the Studienkolleg (e.g., governmental orders, pandemics, natural disasters, political unrest, power outages), the Studienkolleg is entitled to conduct classes in an equivalent online or hybrid form.

(2) Such change does not constitute grounds for termination, provided that the total number of teaching units remains unchanged.

(3) Claims for damages due to force majeure are excluded to the extent permitted by law.

§7 Obligations of course participants

(1) Course participants are obliged to attend classes regularly.

(2) In the event of absences exceeding 50%, the preparatory college may, after pedagogical review, determine that the educational goal is no longer achievable and terminate the contract for good cause.

(3) Prior to termination, a written warning shall generally be issued.

(4) The house rules are an integral part of the contract.

§8 Cancellation before the start of the course

(1) Cancellations must be made in writing.

(2) The following fixed cancellation fees apply:

• More than 8 weeks before the start of the course: 20% of the course fee, minimum €500

• 8–6 weeks before the start of the course: 60% of the course fee

• Less than 6 weeks before the start of the course: 100% of the course fee

• After the start of the course: 100% of the course fee

(3) The start date of the course stated in the letter of admission is decisive.

(4) The course participant reserves the right to prove that no damage or significantly less damage has been incurred.

§9 Withdrawal from the course after it has started

(1) Once the course has started, the booked place on the course will be kept free for the entire duration of the contract. It is not usually possible to find a replacement.

(2) If withdrawal occurs after the course has started, the full course fee remains payable.

(3) The participant reserves the right to prove that no damage or less damage has been incurred.

§10 Visa regulations

(1) Course participants are responsible for applying for and obtaining the necessary entry or residence visas.

(2) A partial refund of the course fee will only be made if:

• the visa required for the booked course has been applied for,

• the rejection is proven by a written, complete rejection notice from the competent authority (in German or English),

• the rejection is not based on circumstances for which the course participant is responsible.

(3) A refund is excluded if the visa rejection is based on:

• insufficient or unrecognized proof of financial means,

• incomplete, contradictory, or inaccurate information/documents,

• failure to appear at appointments with authorities,

• lack of cooperation in the visa procedure,

• violations of residence regulations,

• lack of personal suitability or doubts about the willingness to return.

(4) In the cases referred to in paragraph 2, the refund shall be made minus an administrative fee of:

• €500 for foundation courses,

• €100 per language level booked.

(5) The administrative fee is based on the average organizational and processing costs incurred.

(6) The course participant reserves the right to prove that the Studienkolleg has incurred no or lower costs.

§11 Administrative fees

(1) Administrative fees serve to cover average organizational costs incurred, in particular for:

• Admission processing

• Document review

• Communication with authorities

• Allocation of course places

• Accounting and payment processing

(2) The course participant reserves the right to prove that no or lower costs were incurred.

§12 Liability

(1) The Studienkolleg shall be liable without limitation in cases of intent, gross negligence, and injury to life, limb, or health.

(2) In cases of simple negligence, the Studienkolleg shall only be liable for breaches of essential contractual obligations and limited to foreseeable damage typical for this type of contract.

(3) Liability is limited to the amount of the respective course fee, to the extent permitted by law.

§13 Privacy Policy

(1) The entity responsible within the meaning of the GDPR is W2G Academy GmbH, Theaterstraße 30–32, 52062 Aachen, Germany.

(2) Personal data is processed on the basis of Art. 6 (1) (b) GDPR (performance of a contract) and (c) GDPR (legal obligation).

(3) Data is only stored for as long as statutory retention periods exist.

(4) The Studienkolleg is entitled to transfer personal data to the competent authorities if there is a legal obligation to do so or if this is necessary for the performance of the contract.

(5) The rights of data subjects are set out in Art. 15–21 GDPR.

§14 Right of withdrawal

Consumers have the right to withdraw from the contract within 14 days without giving a reason.

The period begins with the conclusion of the contract.

To exercise this right, a clear statement in writing to the following address is sufficient:

info@stk-aachen.de

In the event of withdrawal, payments already made will be refunded within 14 days.

If it was expressly requested that the course begin during the withdrawal period, the proportionate amount of the service already provided must be paid.

§ 15 Dispute resolution

The EU Commission provides a platform for online dispute resolution:

https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/

The Studienkolleg is not obliged to participate in dispute resolution proceedings.

§ 16 Choice of law

German law applies, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods.

Mandatory consumer protection regulations of the country of residence remain unaffected.

Version dated 06.02.2026

The legally binding version of the General Terms and Conditions is the German version. Any English translation is provided for information purposes only. In case of discrepancies, the German version shall prevail.