At OpenCourseWorld, we stand behind the quality of our educational content. This Refund Policy explains our commitment to customer satisfaction and the conditions under which refunds are available.
We offer a fair and transparent refund process designed to protect both our students and the integrity of our educational services. Please read this policy carefully before making a purchase.
1. 14-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Start Date: The 14-day period begins on the date of purchase confirmation, not the date you first access the course.
- Individual course purchases
- Course bundle purchases
- All paid educational content on our platform
2. Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for a refund, you must meet the following conditions:
- Time Limit: Submit your refund request within 14 days of purchase
- Reasonable Engagement: Complete no more than 30% of course content (this helps prevent abuse while giving you enough time to evaluate the course)
- One Request: Only one refund request per course is allowed
- No Prior Refunds: You have not received multiple refunds in the past 12 months (three or more previous refunds may disqualify eligibility)
- Account Standing: Your account is in good standing without violations of our Terms and Conditions
- Proper Use: No evidence of downloading entire courses or redistributing materials
3. Non-Refundable Circumstances
Refunds are NOT available in the following situations:
- After 14 Days: Refund period has expired
- Excessive Completion: You have completed more than 30% of the course
- Certificates Obtained: You have received a completion certificate
- Multiple Refunds: You have requested and received three or more refunds in the past year
- Terms Violation: Your account has violated our Terms and Conditions
- Downloaded Content: Evidence of downloading entire course for offline redistribution
- Promotional Items: Free courses, promotional bonuses, or free trial content
- Third-Party Sales: Courses purchased through third-party platforms
- Change of Mind After Period: You simply changed your mind after the refund period
- External Factors: Personal circumstances preventing course completion (job changes, time constraints, etc.)
4. How to Request a Refund
Alternatively, you can call us at +49 0208 80 97 16 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00-17:00 CET) to discuss your refund request.
- Step 1: Email us at [email protected] with the subject line "Refund Request"
- Step 2: Include your order number, purchase date, and course name
- Step 3: Briefly explain your reason for requesting a refund (this helps us improve)
- Step 4: We will review your request within 2-3 business days
- Step 5: If approved, refunds are processed within 5-7 business days
5. Refund Processing Time
Note: We cannot control processing times by banks and payment providers. If you haven't received your refund after 14 business days, please contact your bank or payment provider.
- Processing: We process refunds within 5-7 business days
- Bank Transfer: Funds typically appear in your account within 7-10 business days
- Credit Cards: Refunds appear on your next billing statement
- PayPal: Refunds are usually immediate once processed
- Notification: You will receive email confirmation when your refund is processed
6. Partial Refunds
Partial refunds are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.
- Bundle Purchases: If you purchased a bundle and want to refund only some courses, we may offer a prorated refund
- Technical Issues: If you experienced significant technical problems that were not resolved
- Course Modifications: If a course underwent major changes after your purchase
- Special Circumstances: At our discretion for exceptional situations
7. Account Access After Refund
Once a refund is issued:
- Your access to the refunded course will be immediately revoked
- Any downloaded materials must be deleted
- Progress and completion records will be removed
- You will not receive completion certificates
- You may not re-purchase the same course for at least 90 days (to prevent abuse)
8. Technical Issues and Support
Many technical issues can be quickly resolved by our support team. We encourage you to seek assistance before requesting a refund for technical reasons.
- Contact our support team at [email protected]
- Allow us 48 hours to resolve technical problems
- Try accessing the course from different devices or browsers
- Check your internet connection and browser compatibility
9. Course Satisfaction Concerns
We value your learning experience and want to help you succeed, even if a refund is not possible.
- Feedback: Provide detailed feedback so we can improve the course
- Credit: We may offer account credit toward another course
- Additional Resources: We can suggest supplementary materials
- Support: One-on-one guidance to help you succeed in the course
10. Bundle and Promotional Refunds
Course Bundles: When you purchase multiple courses as a bundle at a discounted price, refund eligibility is calculated for the bundle as a whole. Individual courses within bundles cannot be separately refunded unless all eligibility criteria are met for the entire bundle.
Promotional Pricing: Courses purchased during promotional periods are subject to the same refund policy as regular-priced courses.
Coupon Codes: Refunds for purchases made with coupon codes are based on the amount actually paid, not the original price.
11. Chargebacks and Disputes
We believe most issues can be resolved through communication. Please reach out to us before initiating a chargeback.
- Please contact us first to resolve the issue directly
- Chargebacks bypass our fair refund process
- Your account may be suspended pending investigation
- We may pursue recovery of fraudulent chargebacks
- Multiple chargebacks may result in permanent account termination
12. Refund Policy for Subscriptions
If we introduce subscription-based offerings in the future:
- Monthly subscriptions may be cancelled at any time
- No refunds for partial months
- Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing cycle
- Annual subscriptions may have different refund terms
- Specific subscription terms will be clearly disclosed at purchase
13. Geographic Considerations
EU Consumer Rights: If you are located in the European Union, you have additional rights under EU consumer protection laws, including a 14-day cooling-off period for digital content. However, by accessing course content, you expressly request immediate access and acknowledge that you waive your withdrawal right once you begin accessing digital content.
German Consumer Law: Consumers in Germany are protected by Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) provisions regarding distance selling contracts. Our policy complies with these requirements.
Other Jurisdictions: Additional consumer protection rights may apply based on your location. Our policy provides the minimum protections and does not limit any statutory rights you may have.
14. Policy Updates
We may update this Refund Policy from time to time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting on our website with a new "Last Updated" date.
Purchases made before policy changes are subject to the policy in effect at the time of purchase, unless the changes are required by law.
We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed of any updates.
15. Exceptional Circumstances
While we cannot guarantee exceptions, we strive to be fair and reasonable in all situations.
- Serious medical emergencies or hospitalizations
- Significant life events beyond your control
- Major course defects or inaccuracies
- Billing errors or duplicate charges
- Technical issues we could not resolve
16. Contact Information for Refunds
For refund requests or questions about this policy:
Email: [email protected] (Subject: "Refund Request")
Phone: +49 0208 80 97 16
Address: OpenCourseWorld, Friedrichstraße 41, 01067 Dresden, Germany
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00-17:00 CET
We typically respond to refund requests within 2-3 business days. During high-volume periods, responses may take up to 5 business days.
Questions or Concerns?
If you have questions about these terms, please contact us:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +49 0208 80 97 16
- Address: Friedrichstraße 41, 01067 Dresden, Germany