1. General terms
These Terms and Conditions apply to all courses of the Bildungsverein, including those that are being held via electronic data transmission if not stated differently.
Contractual declarations (e. g. enrolments and terminations) must be made in writing or equally legal form (e. g. fax, e-mail, via the login-hompage of the Bildungsverein), given that there are no exceptions stated in these Terms and Conditions or in the Right of Cancellation valid for distance contracts, which the consumer has in case of distance selling deals. Declarations of the Bildungsverein meet the written form if an unsigned confirmation form is being used.
2. Enrolment
The enrolment is possible as follows:
- Online via the enrolment form with granting a SEPA direct debit authorisation and stating of the course number, the participant's name, date of birth, address and telephone number. Verifications of discount have to be sent to us via fax/mail or as a scan via e-mail (see also section Discounts).
- By calling us or by sending an email (to info@bildungsverein.de) if participants have already been registered as a participant, used the direct debiting and granted the SEPA authorisation until cancellation and if the participant's bank details have not changed.
- In person at Stadtstr. 17, 30159 Hanover.
The opening times can be found here. - Via mail by sending us a direct debit authorisation and including the number of the course, name, date of birth, address and a telephone number.
- Via fax to 0511 / 338 798 42 along with a direct debit authorisation and the details as mentioned above in number 1.
The form for the SEPA direct debit authorisation can be downloaded hier or be sent via e-mail.
Before registering for a self-payer German course, we recommend registering for a free-of-charge assessment test as part of our German counselling.
An enrolment for integration, occupational language or refugee courses is possible only after a personal counselling.
Special terms of contract apply to training courses. The enrolment is only valid via the respective applicable contracts.
3. Participantion Fees
If a SEPA direct debit authorisation has been granted, we will debit the participation fee approx. 3 working days before the start of the course. Please ensure sufficient funds in the account since we have to charge an elevated fee otherwise.
If cash payment is preferred, the payment has to be made upon registration. A bank transfer of the participation fee is not possible.
4. Reductions
Reductions for the program are possible for individual target groups. The reduced fees are stated in the course announcement. If no reduction is mentioned, the program is not apt for reduction. If courses are refunded by third parties, the full fee is applied.
A reduction on course fees can only be granted upon presentation of a confirmation. The following groups are entitled to a reduction:
- pupils, students, trainees/apprentices (the international student card does not fall into this category and also students who are on leave, who are writing their doctoral thesis, as well as students of an open university and pupils/students who have an employment contract).
- unemployed people who receive unemployment benefit (a confirmation has to be presented – the visitors' card of the job centre does not suffice!), people who receive basic income, social welfare and unemployment benefit II upon presenting a corresponding confirmation.
- owners of the "Hausmarke", "Ehrenamtskarte or "Juleica" receive a reduction of €10 per course. Proof must be submitted.
Reductions for holders of the Hannover Aktiv Pass are specially indicated and are limited to one course per person and per quarter. We reserve the right to set further limitations. Generally, we can only grant these reductions as long as the financial resources of the city of Hanover are available.
Enrolment with the request for reduction but without presentation of a corresponding proof are treated as fully paying. If a confirmation is handed in after the payment or the pre-authorized payment has already been carried out, we will charge €10 as administration costs for the refunding of the difference amount. A reimbursement is only possible within the first four weeks of the beginning of the course.
5. Instalments
We do not accept any instalments, except when there is a divergent rule indicated in the course announcement.
6. Receipt/Certification of attendance
If the enrolment was not done in person, the participant will get their receipt by E-Mail or from the teacher/trainer. The receipt along with the course announcement can be used in special cases for tax declarations as proof of deductible advertising costs. The receipt will be signed by the teacher/trainer on the last day of class and the participation thus confirmed. For further participation confirmations issued in our office, an expense-related fee will be charged. A participation confirmation can only be issued if a participation rate of at least 70 % was reached.
7. Notification
If we have the participant's current email address, we will send them a notification three days before the start of their course. All participants of a one-week course are going to receive a written confirmation (via post or e-mail) at least one week before the start of the course.
8. Period of lessons
The classes take place on the announced days, even during school holidays except for bank holidays. If a class is cancelled, a replacement date is arranged. There is no claim for reimbursement if a participant is not able to attend the replacement date.
9. Cancellation or Change in comparison to the announcement
The course announcement includes the minimum amount of participants. We reserve the right to cancel courses which do not reach the minimum amount of participants. If a course has to be cancelled on behalf of the Bildungsverein, the registered participants will be notified.
Furthermore, the Bildungsverein may cancel courses partially or entirely if they cannot take place for reasons beyond the control of the Bildungsverein (e. g. absence of the teacher/trainer at short-notice due to illness, heating system failure, pandemic). In these cases the participants will be notified immediately.
Any payments that have been made in advance will be reimbursed by the Bildungsverein within five business days after the cancellation. We will use the same payment method that was used for the original payment, unless another arrangement was made with the participant; no fees will be charged under any circumstances.
On principle, the Bildungsverein does not reimburse any travelling and accommodation costs for cancelled courses.
In individual cases a course cannot take place where originally announced. The participants will be notified of this. Such a change of location within Hanover is no reason for deregistration after the expiration of the cancellation period.
A change of teacher/trainer (with equal qualifications) is no reason for withdrawal. This is also valid if courses are postponed up to two weeks per trimester due to e. g. illness of the teacher/trainer.
10. Withdrawal / Reimbursement
The participation may be cancelled up to two weeks before the start of the course and we will reimburse the full participation fee or cancel the direct debit.
In case of later cancellation, the fee cannot be reimbursed (also due to illness, visa delays etc.).
Generally, the withdrawal from the course needs to be done in written form (for example via email, fax or mail). The paid course fee cannot transferred into another trimester.
If a participant finds someone to take their place, a transfer is possible. In case a reduction certification was submitted, it has to be re-presented for the substitute participant or the difference has to be paid extra.
In individual cases, the Bildungsverein may find a substitute participant on the waiting list, for this we charge a cancellation fee of 10 €. Excluded from this regulation regarding substitute participants are advanced trainings.
Special regulations for withdrawals/termination
There are special regulations for withdrawals for foreign language courses:
If a participant who is attending a foreign language class realizes during the first evening (at the beginning of the course) that the level is not appropriate, the teacher/trainer will offer them a placement test for the appropriate level. If the re-registration is not possible, we will reimburse the complete fee. This special regulation is only valid if the participant contacts the office at Stadtstr. 17 within two working days of the first class.
Regarding apprenticeships and trainings as well as examinations there are divergent conditions applicable. The participants will receive different withdrawal / termination regulations.
We grant an extraordinary termination right to the participants of courses with a total of more than 200 teaching units if they:
- moves away from Hanover,
- can present proof of a long-term illness,
- lost their job.
11. Cancellation according to the Distance Selling Act
For enrolments made via means of distance communication there is a right of cancellation up to 14 days after the conclusion of contract. If the start of the course is within this period of cancellation, partial fees are applicable.
Cancellation policy
a) Right of cancellation
Participants have the right to revoke this contract without giving reasons within 14 days. The cancellation period is 14 days starting on the day of registration. In order to exercise their right to cancellation, participants have to inform us, the
Bildungsverein
Soziales Lernen und Kommunikation e. V.
Stadtstr. 17
30159 Hannover
Tel.: 0511 344 144
Fax: 0511 338 798 42
E-Mail: info@bildungsverein.de
through an explicit statement (e. g. a letter sent by post, fax or e-mail) on their decision to revoke this contract. Participants may use the Default Cancellation Form, which is not mandatory. Compliance with the cancellation deadline is deemed if the participant sends the notification on exercise of the right of cancellation before the expiration of the deadline.
b) Consequences of cancellation
If participants revoke this contract, we have to refund all payments we have received from them without delay and within 14 days after the day we received the notification of their cancellation of this contract. For the refund, the same payment method will be used as for the initial payment, unless another arrangement was made with the participant; no fees will be charged under any circumstances.
If the participant had agreed to starting the service during the period of cancellation, they have to pay an adequate amount for the services already performed up to the time when they notified us of the exercise of the right of cancellation of this contract in relation to the overall scope of the services specified in the contract.
End of cancellation policy
12. Privacy
When registering, participants agree to the electronic registration of their personal data in the registration program of the Bildungsverein. These data will only be used on an internal level and will not be passed on.
The processing of the data is carried out in accordance with the rules of the European Data Protection Regulation (EU DSGVO from April 27, 2016) as well as the Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG from May 30, 2017). For further information please click here.
It is not allowed to make any kind of audio-visual recordings of the class unless all attendees have agreed.
13. Liability
The Bildungsverein is not liable for accidents or damages of any kind or loss of personal belongings on the way to class or on the way home after class or during class on the premises of the Bildungsverein.
14. Place of jurisdiction
The place of jurisdiction is Hanover.