1.1. These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") apply to your use of the services operated by IDP Connect Limited (the "Services", as defined in Clause 4), regardless of which website or application you access, unless otherwise stated.
1.2. These Terms, together with our Privacy Notice, govern your use of the Services, including your access to Content, User-Generated Content, and Enquiries.
1.3. Please read these Terms carefully before using the Services. By accessing or using the Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, you must not use the Services.
2.1. The Services are operated by IDP Connect Limited (registered number 02471319) registered in England and Wales, which has its registered office at:
First Floor, Bedford House, Fulham Green,
69-79 Fulham High Street, London SW6 3JW.
IDP Connect Limited can be contacted by e-mail at uk.info@idp.com or by mail to the address set out above.
2.2. Certain Services may include Content or features historically associated with the Complete University Guide brand operated by the Complete University Guide Ltd (company number 03768870; VAT no. 737 2203 51), registered in England and Wales which has its registered office at:
First Floor, Bedford House,
69-79 Fulham High Street, London SW6 3JW.
Complete University Guide Ltd can be contacted by e-mail at admin@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk or by mail to the address set out above.
3.1. We may revise these Terms at any time.
3.2. Updated Terms will be published with a revised version date.
3.3. Continued use of the Services constitutes acceptance of any updated Terms.
In these Terms:
"Affiliate" means any entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with IDP Connect Limited.
"Content" means all materials available through the Services or social media accounts published on or through the Services (and official accounts we control), including text, data, images, software, documents, photographs, videos, User-Generated Content, and third-party materials you may access and download.
"Enquiries" means User-Generated Content you send through to universities directly through the Services.
"Interactive Features" means features that allow users to submit, share, or interact with content or other users through the Services (including comments, forums, chat features, and similar functionality).
"Privacy Notice" means our privacy policy governing the processing of personal data.
"Services" means the digital platforms and apps operated by IDP Connect Limited, including:
"User", "You", "Your" means any person accessing, visiting or using the Services.
"User-Generated Content" or "UGC" means any Content submitted by a User, including reviews, comments, Enquiries, images, audio or video.
"We", "Us", "Our" means IDP Connect Limited unless otherwise provided.
5.1. The Services and app may be accessed by you; however, full access requires User registration. Registered Users can access all functionalities. Registration on the Services and app is free of charge.
5.2. Users must be at least 13 years of age to register. Children under 13 must not register with the Services.
5.3. Users aged 13–15 may only register with parental consent.
5.4. You agree that any information you provide to us (including registration) will be true, accurate, current, and complete. You must not create User accounts to misuse the functionality of the website or app, or on behalf of another person except where expressly authorized by us. You must not impersonate any individual or entity, use a false email address, or mislead us as to the origin of any User-Generated Content you submit.
5.5. Without limitation to our rights elsewhere in these Terms, we may terminate your registered User status and access to any or all of the Services if you provide false or misleading information. We also reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access if, in our reasonable opinion, you breach these Terms.
5.6. When you register to use the Services, you will be required to create a username and password. You must keep your password and any other account identifiers confidential. You are responsible for all activities carried out under your account, whether or not authorized by you.
5.7. If you access the Services using a public or shared computer, you must not store your login details and must log out at the end of each session. If you suspect that your password has been compromised or used without your authorization, you must immediately reset it (using the "forgotten password" link) and notify us by email.
5.8. Your account is personal to you and must not be used by any other person. You must not assist any unregistered User to access functionalities intended only for registered Users. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your registered User status if we reasonably suspect that your account is being used by an unauthorized person.
5.9. If you forget your password, you can use the password reset functionality available on the Services, and we will send you an email with instructions to create a new one.
6.1. We may allow you to register or log in using third-party authentication services such as Google account login or Apple ID login.
6.2. By using such functionality:
(a) you authorise the third party to share certain account information with us;
(b) you remain responsible for maintaining the security of your third-party account;
(c) your use of those services is subject to the third party's own terms and privacy policies.
6.3. We are not responsible for the operation or availability of these third-party services and any loss or damage arising from your use of them.
6.4. Any personal data we receive in connection with third-party authentication will be processed in accordance with our Privacy Notice.
7.1. You agree to use the Services only for lawful purposes and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
7.2. In using the Services, you agree not to use Content:
a) for commercial purposes, or for financial gain without our prior written consent;
b) to send chain letters, junk mail, 'spam', business or bulk communications of any kind;
c) to advertise a company, product or service of any educational establishment (except under the terms of a written advertiser agreement that we have entered into with You);
d) in a way that might reasonably be expected to cause another person's computer systems and/or their communications network to be interrupted, damaged, or rendered less efficient;
e) to obtain personal information from any Users;
f) to obtain passwords or personal identifying information for commercial or unlawful purposes from other Users;
g) to attempt to impersonate another User; or
h) to harass, threaten or intimidate any User.
7.3. If you are not a registered User, you agree not to obtain unauthorized access to areas of the Services reserved for registered Users.
7.4. If you are aware of anything on any of our Services which appears to infringe these Terms, you agree to contact us immediately.
7.5. You must not misuse the Services by knowingly introducing viruses, trojans, worms, logic bombs, or other material that is malicious or technologically harmful. You must not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Services, the servers on which they are hosted, any associated applications, or any server, computer, or database connected to them. You must not attack the Services via a denial-of-service or distributed denial-of-service attack.
A breach of this provision may constitute a criminal offence under the Computer Misuse Act 1990. We will report any such breach to the relevant law enforcement authorities and will cooperate with those authorities, including by disclosing your identity where required. In the event of such a breach, your right to use the Services will cease immediately.
8.1. Content made available through the Services may include materials that are provided by:
(a) educational institutions, including universities, colleges and other course providers;
(b) Users, including User-Generated Content such as reviews, comments, ratings, questions and other submissions; and
(c) third parties, including partners, advertisers and other external content providers.
8.2. All Content published on the Services may be subject to editorial review. While we use reasonable efforts to prevent the publication of inappropriate Content, we cannot guarantee that such content will be identified or removed prior to publication, and you may be exposed to Content that you find offensive or objectionable.
8.3. We operate a "notice and takedown" procedure. If you believe that any Content is defamatory, profane, sexually or racially offensive, discriminatory, harassing, threatening, obscene, pornographic, false, unreliable, misleading, or otherwise objectionable, or infringes any intellectual property or other legal rights, please notify us immediately.
We will investigate all notices received and take such action as we consider appropriate in our sole discretion.
8.4. By submitting User-Generated Content, through any Service, app, or via any online social media account (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat) linked to or associated with the Services, you grant IDP Connect Limited a non-exclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, and fully transferable license to use, reproduce, translate, publish, and transmit such content in any format, media, or platform (whether now known or developed in the future), and to authorize third parties to do the same.
8.5. By submitting User-Generated Content, you agree that IDP Connect Limited may make such content available on the Services and on platforms operated by our Affiliates including (without limitation) Hotcourses Abroad and its international sites, as well as via promotional emails and social media to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the Privacy Notice. You further agree that IDP Connect Limited may modify such UGC, use your name in connection with it, and sublicense these rights to third parties.
8.6. All User-Generated Content submitted to publicly accessible areas of the Services is submitted for publication.
8.7. You must not submit any personal, sensitive or confidential information about yourself or any other individual through the Services.
8.8. By submitting User-Generated Content, you acknowledge and agree that:
(a) any personal data or information you choose to disclose will be made publicly available;
(b) such information may be accessible to other users of the Services and to the public at large; and
(c) information made publicly available may remain accessible indefinitely, including after your account is closed or the original content is removed from active display.
You further acknowledge that you are solely responsible for any personal data or information you choose to include in User-Generated Content.
In accordance with our Privacy Notice, you may have the right to request deletion of personal data, subject to applicable legal and operational limitations.
8.9. You warrant that your User-Generated Content:
(a) complies with all applicable laws and regulations; and
(b) does not infringe the rights (including intellectual property or privacy rights) of any third party.
8.10. If we receive notice, or otherwise become aware, that any User-Generated Content may breach applicable laws or infringe the rights of any person, or if such content is found, in our reasonable opinion, to be in breach of these Terms, we may, at our discretion and without obligation to provide reasons:
(a) remove or disable access to such User-Generated Content;
(b) notify the affected party and/or relevant authorities where appropriate;
(c) suspend or terminate your account;
(d) restrict or remove your access to the Services; and/or
(e) take any other action we consider appropriate to protect our Services, users, or third parties.
8.11. Enquiries are not published publicly by default. However, you acknowledge that Enquiries you submit may be shared with the relevant educational institution and processed in accordance with the Privacy Notice.
9.1. All Services and Content are protected by intellectual property rights owned by or licensed to us.
9.2. You acquire no proprietary interest in the Services or in any Content provided by us or by third parties, and you may not use such Content except as expressly permitted under these Terms. You also acknowledge that you do not acquire any intellectual property rights by downloading or otherwise using such Content. Our status (and that of any identified contributors) as the authors of Content on the Services must always be acknowledged.
9.3. You may view, print, download, or temporarily store Content for your personal, non-commercial use only, and without modification. You must not otherwise copy, reproduce, retransmit, distribute, publish, commercially exploit, or transfer any Content.
9.4. User-Generated Content is licensed as set out in Clauses 8.4 and 8.5.
10.1. The Services and all Content are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, we make no representations or warranties, whether express or implied, in relation to the Services or any Content, including as to accuracy, completeness, reliability, fitness for purpose, or availability.
10.2. Content made available through the Services is for general information only and does not constitute advice. You acknowledge that any reliance on the Services or Content is at your own risk. We are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any results obtained from reliance on such Content.
10.3. We do not warrant that the Services will meet your requirements or that access to the Services will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free.
10.4. The Services may include Content, statements, or materials provided by third parties, including educational institutions and Users. Such Content is the responsibility of the relevant provider and does not necessarily reflect our views. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not endorse, and are not responsible or liable for, such content or any reliance placed on it.
10.5. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or availability of any third-party websites or resources linked to the Services, and such links do not imply endorsement. We have no control over those external websites or resources.
11.1. Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits our liability where it would be unlawful to do so, including liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.
11.2. Subject to the above, we exclude all implied conditions, warranties, representations, or other terms that may apply to the Services or any Content.
11.3. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we (and our affiliates, group companies, directors, employees, agents, and licensors) shall not be liable to you, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty, misrepresentation, or otherwise, for any loss or damage arising out of or in connection with:
(a) your use of, or inability to use, the Services;
(b) your use of or reliance on any Content; or
(c) any content, goods, or services available on or through any third-party websites linked to or from the Services.
11.4. In particular, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, we shall not be liable for:
(a) loss of profits, revenue, sales, or business;
(b) business interruption;
(c) loss of anticipated savings;
(d) loss of business opportunity, goodwill, or reputation;
(e) loss, corruption, or interruption of data; or
(f) any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or pure economic loss or damage, whether foreseeable or not.
11.5. If you are a consumer, you agree that the Services are provided for domestic and private use only, and you will not use the Services for any commercial or business purposes. Accordingly, we shall have no liability to you for any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, or loss of business opportunity.
11.6. We do not guarantee that the Services will be secure or free from bugs or viruses. You are responsible for using appropriate virus protection software, and we accept no liability for any loss or damage caused by viruses, distributed denial-of-service attacks, or other technologically harmful material.
11.7. We are not responsible for any interruption, delay, or unavailability of the Services.
12.1. We process your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Notice and Cookie Policy. To understand what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights, please refer to our Privacy Notice.
13.1. You must not access or use the Services or any Content from a jurisdiction where such access or use would be contrary to applicable laws, rules, or regulations of any governmental authority or regulatory organization. If you breach this provision, you will be held entirely responsible.
14.1. We may assign our rights and obligations under these Terms, and upon such assignment we shall be relieved of any further obligations under these Terms. You are not permitted to assign your rights or obligations under these Terms.
15.1. These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England.
15.2. Subject to the below, the courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms or your use of the Services. If you are a consumer and a resident of Northern Ireland or Scotland, you may also bring proceedings in your local courts.
15.3. Notwithstanding the above, we retain the right to bring proceedings against you for breach of these Terms in your country of residence or any other relevant jurisdiction.
16.1. This Section applies to the submission, publication, use, moderation, and retention of reviews and ratings submitted through the Whatuni platform.
16.2. This Section forms part of, and must be read together with, the IDP Connect Limited Brand Family Terms (the "Terms"). In the event of any inconsistency, the provisions of this Section shall prevail unless expressly stated otherwise.
16.3. Reviews constitute User-Generated Content and are subject to Clause 8 (User-Generated Content) of the Terms.
16.4. By submitting a review on the Whatuni website or app, you agree that your review must comply with the following:
(a) It must not be offensive, obscene, profane, vulgar, threatening, harassing, or otherwise inappropriate.
(b) It must not contain any content that is unlawful or in breach of applicable laws or regulations.
(c) It must not contain hateful or discriminatory content directed at any individual or group.
(d) It must not include defamatory or otherwise legally actionable statements about any person or institution.
(e) You must not submit a review for an institution with which you are employed or otherwise affiliated, unless expressly permitted by us.
(f) It must be fair, genuine, and based on your own experience.
(g) It must comply with Clause 7 (Your Use of the Services) and Clause 8 (User-Generated Content) of the Terms.
16.5. We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to refuse to publish, remove, or edit any review that does not comply with these requirements or may expose us or any third party to legal or reputational risk.
16.6. Reviews may be published as User-Generated Content across the Services, and may also be:
(a) reproduced, displayed or promoted across affiliated platforms, emails, or social media; and
(b) used for analytics, reporting, and product improvement purposes.
in each case in accordance with Clause 8 of the Terms.
16.7. Reviews are used to calculate rankings and awards within the Whatuni platform, including the Whatuni Student Choice Awards.
16.8. Categories may include: (a) University of the Year (b) Accommodation (c) Job Prospects (d) Course & Lecturers (e) Societies & Sports (f) Students' Union (g) Uni Facilities (h) Local Life (i) Student Support (j) Independent Higher Education (k) International (l) Postgraduate
16.9. Reviews submitted for independent providers are used only for the "Independent Higher Education" category.
16.10. Category scores and methodology:
(a) "Independent Higher Education" is based on the mean average of "Overall Experience" scores.
(b) "International" and "Postgraduate" categories are based on submissions from users identifying as international/EU and postgraduate students, respectively.
(c) Other category scores are derived from relevant review responses across the dataset.
16.11. Participation thresholds apply for inclusion in rankings and awards and are determined by us from time to time.
16.12. All reviews are subject to moderation prior to or after publication.
16.13. We take reasonable steps to promote the authenticity and integrity of reviews, including verification where appropriate. However, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any review.
16.14. We may: (a) verify the identity of reviewers; (b) request additional information; (c) remove or reject reviews; or (d) suspend or terminate accounts, in accordance with Clause 8.10 of the Terms.
16.15. We may use your contact details to: (a) verify your review; (b) administer promotions or prize draws (where applicable); and (c) respond to enquiries relating to your review.
16.16. Where a review contains allegations or raises concerns affecting health, safety, or wellbeing, we may contact you to: (a) clarify or verify the information; and/or (b) encourage you to report the matter to relevant institutions, support services, or authorities.
16.17. All personal data is processed in accordance with the Privacy Notice.
16.18. Reviews may be published in anonymised or pseudonymised form.
16.19. You acknowledge that: (a) any information you voluntarily include in a review may be visible to other users; and (b) we cannot fully control how such information is used by third parties once published.
16.20. We may remove or de-identify personal data from reviews over time.
16.21. Reviews (including supporting data) are stored securely using appropriate technical and organizational measures.
16.22. Reviews collected through offline or outreach activities may be digitised and securely stored.
16.23. For accountability, fraud prevention, and audit purposes, review data may be retained for a limited period (for example, up to three (3) years), after which it may be anonymised or securely deleted in accordance with our retention policies.
16.24. Reviews may be removed: (a) at your request (subject to applicable law); or (b) by us in accordance with the Terms.
16.25. Physical or offline review materials (where collected) are securely destroyed after digitization.
16.26. Deletion of a review does not affect any rights previously granted under Clause 8 (User-Generated Content) of the Terms, including rights in anonymised or aggregated data.
16.27. This Section applies to surveys, prize draws, or competitions run on the Whatuni website and app.
16.28. This Section forms part of, and must be read together with, the IDP Connect Limited Brand Family Terms (the "Terms"). In the event of any inconsistency, the provisions of this Section shall prevail unless expressly stated otherwise.
16.29. We may run surveys, prize draws, or competitions on the Whatuni platform and app from time to time ("Competitions"). Participation in any Competition is subject to: (a) the specific terms applicable to that Competition; and (b) the following general rules.
16.30. To be eligible, entrants must: (a) be residents of the United Kingdom; and (b) be the original author and copyright owner of any Content submitted.
16.31. Prize winners must: (a) provide their full name and UK postal address upon request; and (b) respond to communications from us within fourteen (14) days of the Competition closing date.
16.32. If a selected winner does not respond within the required period despite reasonable attempts to contact them, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize and select an alternative winner.
16.33. By entering a competition, you agree to these rules and any additional terms specified for that competition.
16.34. When booking or attending Open Days through Whatuni, please note that advance booking may be required and that availability may be limited.
16.35. In some cases, you may need to visit the relevant institution's website or contact the institution directly to confirm availability or complete your booking.
16.36. While we take reasonable steps to ensure that Open Day information displayed on the Whatuni website and app is accurate at the time it is published, we do not guarantee that such information remains current. Users should verify all details directly with the relevant institution before making any arrangements.
17.1. During the Clearing and Adjustment period (typically from July to September), the Whatuni platform and app may be used to research and apply to institutions offering available courses.
17.2. In preparation for and during this period, courses that are no longer available may be removed by us and/or the relevant institutions. Course listings are updated on an ongoing basis.
17.3. While we take reasonable steps to keep course information current, we do not guarantee that any course listed on the Whatuni website or app remains available for application through Clearing or Adjustment. Users should verify availability directly with the relevant institution.
18.1. This section applies to the submission, publication, and use of questions submitted to the Complete University Guide through the "Ask" service.
18.2. This Section forms part of, and must be read together with, the IDP Connect Limited Brand Family Terms (the "Terms"). In the event of any inconsistency, the provisions of this Section shall prevail unless expressly stated otherwise.
18.3. Questions to our team of experts may be submitted by email to: ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk.
18.4. By submitting a question, you agree to the following:
18.5. We may, at our discretion, publish your question (in whole or in part) on our website and/or social media channels to assist other users.
18.6. Unless you explicitly request otherwise at the time of submission, your question may be published in anonymised form.
18.7. If you do not wish your question to be published, you must clearly state this in your email.
18.8. You retain ownership of any intellectual property rights in your question.
18.9. By submitting a question, you grant to us (and to those authorised by us) a non-exclusive, irrevocable, worldwide, perpetual, and transferable licence to use, reproduce, edit, publish, and display your question, in whole or in part, in any media or format now known or developed in the future.
18.10. We may edit, adapt, or shorten your question for clarity, formatting, or publication purposes.
18.11. Any response provided by Complete University Guide Ltd (including written advice or guidance) is the intellectual property of Complete University Guide Ltd.
18.12. You must not reproduce, publish, or distribute such responses without our prior written consent, which may be requested via admin@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk.
18.13. In this Section, "We", "Us" and "Our" refer to Complete University Guide Ltd.
18.14. This Section applies to the Interactive Features on the Complete University Guide platform.
18.15. This Section forms part of, and must be read together with, the IDP Connect Limited Brand Family Terms (the "Terms"). In the event of any inconsistency, the provisions of this Section shall prevail unless expressly stated otherwise.
18.16. We may, from time to time, provide Interactive Features on the Complete University Guide platform, including (without limitation): (a) chat rooms; (b) bulletin boards; (c) reviews and galleries; and (d) comments on news items and blogs.
18.17. Where we provide any Interactive Feature, we will indicate the nature of the service, whether it is moderated, and the type of moderation applied (including whether moderation is human and/or automated).
18.18. We take reasonable steps to assess potential risks to users (including children) associated with any interactive service and will determine, in our discretion, whether and how moderation is applied. However, we are not obliged to monitor, supervise, or moderate any Interactive Feature. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of any Interactive Feature, including where such use is in breach of the Terms, whether or not the service is moderated.
18.19. Use of any Interactive Feature by minors is subject to the consent of a parent or guardian. Parents and guardians should ensure that minors understand how to use such services safely, as moderation cannot guarantee the removal or prevention of all inappropriate content.
18.20. Where moderation is implemented, we will generally provide a means for Users to report concerns or contact a moderator.
18.21. In this Section, "We", "Us" and "Our" refer to Complete University Guide Ltd.
19.1. When booking or attending Open Days through PGS, please note that advance booking may be required and that availability may be limited.
19.2. In some cases, you may need to visit the relevant institution's website or contact the institution directly to confirm availability or complete your booking.
19.3. While we take reasonable steps to ensure that Open Day information displayed on the PGS website and app is accurate at the time it is published, we do not guarantee that such information remains current. Users should verify all details directly with the relevant institution before making any arrangements.
19.4. The PGS platform provides information about education providers and may include links or buttons which direct users to third-party websites to submit applications.
19.5. Our role is limited to facilitating access to such third-party websites. We do not act as the agent of any education provider in relation to the submission or processing of applications unless expressly stated otherwise.
19.6. Where you select a link or button directing you to a third-party website, you will leave the PGS platform and be subject to the terms and conditions and privacy policies of that third party.
19.7. We are not responsible for the availability, content, security, or practices of any third-party website.
19.8. Any application submitted to an education provider and any resulting offer, enrolment, or contractual relationship is solely between you and the relevant education provider.
19.9. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we will not be liable for any loss, damage, or claim arising out of or in connection with: (a) your application to the education provider; or (b) any agreement, arrangement, or relationship entered into between you and the education provider.
19.10. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we exclude all liability for indirect, incidental, or consequential loss arising from your use of the website or any third-party links.
19.11. We do not guarantee admission, acceptance, or any particular outcome from any application submitted to an education provider.