Governance, Compliance
& Legal Policies

1.1 Corporate Structure

DC EDUTRAVEL is a division of DC Global Education, a company registered in England and Wales. Our registered office is located at 450 Bath Road, Heathrow, London, UB7 0EB, United Kingdom. DC EDUTRAVEL operates internationally with offices in Accra, Ghana and Sydney, Australia.

1.2 Regulatory Compliance

DC EDUTRAVEL operates in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in each jurisdiction in which it operates, including but not limited to:

• The Education (Student Support) Regulations (England and Wales)
• UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Sponsor Guidance and Agent Regulations
• The Australian ESOS Act 2000 and associated CRICOS requirements for agents operating in Australia
• IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) agent standards
• Immigration New Zealand (INZ) Accredited Employer and Student Visa requirements
• SEVIS and US Department of Homeland Security Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) standards
• UK Companies Act 2006 and all applicable UK corporate law

1.3 Quality Assurance Framework

DC EDUTRAVEL maintains a continuous quality assurance programme covering all aspects of its student admission and immigration support services. This includes:

• Regular staff training — all team members receive ongoing professional development in admissions, immigration policy, and student welfare
• Case file audit — a random sample of student cases is reviewed monthly for accuracy, completeness, and compliance
• Partner institution reviews — agent agreements with partner universities are reviewed annually to ensure ongoing compliance with their requirements
• Student outcome tracking — we monitor visa outcomes, enrolment rates, and student welfare indicators to identify and address areas for improvement
• Complaint analysis — all formal complaints are reviewed quarterly to identify systemic issues and implement service improvements

1.4 Conflicts of Interest

DC EDUTRAVEL operates a strict conflicts of interest policy. All staff members are required to declare any actual or potential conflicts of interest. Where a conflict exists, the affected staff member will be excluded from decisions relating to that matter. DC EDUTRAVEL does not receive undisclosed payments from any party in connection with student applications or visa services.

1.5 Agent Standards

DC EDUTRAVEL holds formal signed agent agreements with all partner universities and institutions. These agreements are consistent with the institution’s own agent code of conduct and with applicable national frameworks, including the British Council’s Code of Ethics for Educational Agents. All sub-agents and referral partners are vetted and must sign our Agent Standards Agreement before any referral arrangements are activated.

2.1 Data Controller

DC Global Education (trading as DC EDUTRAVEL) is the Data Controller for all personal data collected and processed in connection with its services. Our Data Protection contact is reachable at compliance@dcedutravel.com.

2.2 What Data We Collect

We collect and process the following categories of personal data:

• Identity data: Full name, date of birth, gender, nationality, country of birth
• Contact data: Email address, telephone number, postal address
• Travel document data: Passport number, issuing country, issue and expiry dates
• Academic data: Qualifications, transcripts, English language test results, personal statements
• Financial data: Bank statement summaries, evidence of funds (we do not hold full account numbers)
• Immigration data: Visa history, immigration status, previous applications and outcomes
• Technical data: IP address, browser type, cookies (see Cookie Policy)
• Communications data: Records of correspondence between DC EDUTRAVEL and the individual

2.3 Lawful Basis for Processing

2.4 Data Sharing

DC EDUTRAVEL shares personal data only in the following circumstances:

• Partner universities and institutions — to submit and manage applications on the student’s behalf
• Immigration authorities — including UKVI, Australian Department of Home Affairs, IRCC, USCIS, and Immigration New Zealand, as required by law or as part of visa applications
• Partner immigration lawyers and consultants — registered professionals engaged to provide legal immigration advice in the relevant jurisdiction
• IT and system providers — third-party software and hosting providers who process data under strict data processing agreements

We do not sell, rent, or share personal data with any third party for marketing or commercial purposes without explicit prior written consent.

2.5 Data Retention

Personal data is retained for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, and in accordance with our legal obligations. As a general guide:

• Active student case files: Retained for the duration of the student’s programme plus 3 years
• Visa application records: Retained for 7 years in accordance with UK HMRC and immigration compliance requirements
• Marketing consent records: Retained until consent is withdrawn
• Website technical data: Retained for up to 24 months

2.6 Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights in relation to your personal data:

• Right of access — to request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Right to rectification — to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Right to erasure — to request deletion of your data, subject to legal retention obligations
• Right to restrict processing — to request that we limit how we use your data
• Right to data portability — to receive your data in a structured, commonly used format
• Right to object — to object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing
• Right to withdraw consent — at any time, without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing

To exercise any of these rights, contact us in writing at compliance@dcedutravel.com. We will respond within 30 days.

2.7 Complaints to the ICO

If you believe your data has been processed unlawfully or your rights have not been respected, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): ico.org.uk — Tel: 0303 123 1113.

3.1 Security Measures

DC EDUTRAVEL implements the following technical and organisational security measures:

• Encryption: All data transmitted via our website is protected by TLS/SSL encryption. Sensitive data held in our systems is encrypted at rest.
• Access controls: Access to personal data and student files is restricted to authorised staff on a need-to-know basis. All staff access is protected by strong passwords and, where applicable, multi-factor authentication.
• System monitoring: Our systems are monitored for unauthorised access attempts and anomalous activity. Security logs are retained and regularly reviewed.
• Staff training: All staff handling personal data receive regular data security training and are bound by strict confidentiality obligations.
• Third-party security: All third-party providers who handle personal data on our behalf are required to demonstrate adequate security measures as a condition of their engagement.
• Physical security: Physical access to our offices and equipment is controlled and monitored.

3.2 Data Breach Response

In the event of a personal data breach, DC EDUTRAVEL will:

1. Assess the breach immediately and take steps to contain it
2. Notify the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) within 72 hours if the breach is likely to result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals
3. Notify affected individuals without undue delay where there is a high risk to their rights and freedoms
4. Document all breaches in our Data Breach Register, regardless of whether notification is required

3.3 Passwords & Account Security

Users of DC EDUTRAVEL’s online services are responsible for maintaining the security of their account credentials. You must not share your login details with any other person. If you believe your account has been compromised, contact us immediately at compliance@dcedutravel.com.

4.1 Scope

This policy applies to all DC EDUTRAVEL staff, volunteers, partner agents, and third-party contractors who have any contact with students, including children under 18 and vulnerable adults, in connection with DC EDUTRAVEL’s services.

4.2 Safeguarding Principles

• The welfare of the student is paramount and takes priority over all other considerations
• All students, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, disability, or sexual orientation, have the right to be protected from harm
• DC EDUTRAVEL has a zero tolerance approach to abuse, exploitation, or harm in any form
• All allegations or concerns will be taken seriously and acted upon promptly
• We will cooperate fully with any statutory safeguarding investigation

4.3 Students Under 18

Where DC EDUTRAVEL is supporting an applicant who is under 18 years of age, the following additional safeguards apply:

• Written consent must be obtained from a parent or legal guardian before any services are provided
• All communications regarding the application must be copied to the parent or legal guardian
• Visa applications for students under 18 require evidence of parental consent and, for UK applications, confirmation of suitable accommodation and welfare arrangements
• DC EDUTRAVEL will not facilitate any arrangement that places an under-18 student in an unsupervised or unsafe situation

4.4 Reporting Concerns

If any member of staff, partner, or student has a safeguarding concern about a student, they should report it immediately to the DC EDUTRAVEL Safeguarding Lead. Where there is an immediate risk of harm, the matter should be reported to the relevant statutory authorities without delay.

DC EDUTRAVEL’s Safeguarding Lead can be contacted at: compliance@dcedutravel.com — please mark your email SAFEGUARDING — URGENT in the subject line.

4.5 Staff Checks

All DC EDUTRAVEL staff who have unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults are subject to appropriate background checks, including a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in the UK and equivalent checks in other jurisdictions.

5.1 What We Are Doing

• Ensuring all website content meets a minimum of WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance
• Providing text alternatives for all non-text content
• Ensuring sufficient colour contrast between text and backgrounds (minimum 4.5:1)
• Making all forms and interactive elements keyboard navigable
• Providing clear, plain-language content that can be used with screen readers
• Testing our website regularly with assistive technology tools

5.2 Known Limitations

We are continuously working to improve our website accessibility. Some older content or third-party tools embedded in our site may not yet fully meet the WCAG 2.1 AA standard. We are actively identifying and addressing these areas.

5.3 Alternative Formats

If you require any of our documents, forms, or information in an alternative format — including large print, easy read, audio, or Braille — please contact us at compliance@dcedutravel.com and we will respond within 5 working days.

5.4 Reporting Accessibility Issues

If you experience any difficulty accessing our website or digital services, please contact us at compliance@dcedutravel.com. We take all accessibility feedback seriously and will respond within 5 working days.

6.1 Our Principles

DC EDUTRAVEL will not unlawfully discriminate against, or treat less favourably, any person on the grounds of any protected characteristic as defined in the Equality Act 2010, including:

• Age  •  Disability  •  Gender reassignment  •  Marriage or civil partnership
• Pregnancy or maternity  •  Race  •  Religion or belief  •  Sex  •  Sexual orientation

This commitment applies to all aspects of our services including student recruitment and support, staff recruitment and management, and relationships with partner institutions and agents.

6.2 Our Approach

• Student services: Every student is assessed and supported solely on the basis of their academic profile, eligibility, and circumstances — never on any protected characteristic
• Inclusive communication: We communicate in a manner that is accessible and respectful to all backgrounds and cultures
• Diverse partnerships: We actively seek to build a diverse network of partner institutions and agents that reflects the global diversity of the students we serve
• Staff training: All staff receive equality and diversity training and are expected to uphold these principles in all their interactions
• Zero tolerance of harassment: Any form of harassment or bullying — whether towards students, staff, or partners — will not be tolerated and will result in immediate action

6.3 Reporting Discrimination

If you believe you have been treated unfairly or discriminatorily by DC EDUTRAVEL or any of our representatives, you should contact us in writing at compliance@dcedutravel.com. Your complaint will be handled confidentially and in accordance with our Complaints & Appeals Policy.

7.1 Our Commitment

This statement is issued in accordance with Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. DC EDUTRAVEL acknowledges that the education and immigration sector can be at risk from modern slavery and human trafficking — particularly through fraudulent visa and job offers, illegal labour recruitment, and exploitation of vulnerable migrants and students.

7.2 Due Diligence

DC EDUTRAVEL takes the following steps to prevent modern slavery in its operations and supply chains:

• All partner agents and third-party contractors are vetted before engagement and must sign our Agent Standards Agreement, which contains an explicit anti-slavery clause
• We do not work with, refer to, or facilitate any organisation that we have reason to believe is involved in exploitative practices
• All DC EDUTRAVEL staff receive training on recognising the signs of modern slavery and human trafficking, and on their duty to report concerns
• Student visa applications supported by DC EDUTRAVEL are prepared for the purpose of genuine study only — we will not facilitate any application that we believe is being used as a cover for exploitation or illegal working

7.3 Reporting

If you have a concern about modern slavery or human trafficking — whether relating to DC EDUTRAVEL, one of our partners, or a student in our care — please contact us immediately at compliance@dcedutravel.com or report directly to the Modern Slavery Helpline: 0800 0121 700 or via the Modern Slavery Helpline website.

8.1 Prohibited Conduct

The following conduct is strictly prohibited for all DC EDUTRAVEL staff, directors, agents, and partners:

• Offering, giving, requesting, or accepting any bribe, kickback, or improper payment in connection with DC EDUTRAVEL’s business
• Using a third party to channel a bribe or improper payment
• Facilitating or assisting any fraudulent visa, application, or immigration document
• Making false representations to any government authority, institution, or student
• Accepting undisclosed gifts or hospitality that may compromise, or be perceived to compromise, a business decision

8.2 Gifts & Hospitality

DC EDUTRAVEL staff may accept modest gifts or hospitality from business partners where this is openly given and received, consistent with normal professional practice, and does not influence any business decision. Any gift or hospitality above a nominal value must be declared to management. DC EDUTRAVEL maintains a gifts and hospitality register.

8.3 Reporting & Whistleblowing

Any person — staff member, student, agent, or partner — who has a genuine concern about bribery, corruption, fraud, or unethical conduct within DC EDUTRAVEL may report it confidentially to compliance@dcedutravel.com. Reports will be investigated promptly and independently. No person who raises a genuine concern in good faith will suffer any retaliation as a result.

Concerns may also be reported to Action Fraud (UK): actionfraud.police.uk — 0300 123 2040.

9.1 Who Can Make a Complaint

Any student, applicant, parent or guardian, partner agent, or institution that has a complaint about DC EDUTRAVEL’s services, conduct, or the actions of its staff or representatives may use this procedure.

9.2 Complaint Stages

Stage 1 — Informal Resolution (within 5 working days)

In the first instance, please contact your assigned DC EDUTRAVEL case manager or adviser directly by email or phone. Many concerns can be resolved quickly at this stage without the need for a formal complaint.

Stage 2 — Formal Complaint (within 10 working days of receipt)

If your concern is not resolved at Stage 1, submit a formal written complaint to compliance@dcedutravel.com with the subject line FORMAL COMPLAINT. Please include:

• Your full name and case reference number (if applicable)
• A clear description of the issue and the outcome you are seeking
• Any relevant supporting evidence or documentation
• The date(s) the matter occurred

DC EDUTRAVEL will acknowledge your complaint within 2 working days and provide a full written response within 10 working days.

Stage 3 — Review (within 10 working days)

If you are not satisfied with the Stage 2 response, you may request a review by a senior member of DC EDUTRAVEL’s management team. Your request must be submitted within 14 days of receiving the Stage 2 response, explaining why you are not satisfied and what outcome you are seeking.

9.3 Appeals Against Visa or Admission Outcomes

DC EDUTRAVEL does not have authority to overturn decisions made by universities, institutions, or government immigration authorities. Where a student wishes to appeal an institutional decision, DC EDUTRAVEL will provide guidance and assistance in preparing the appeal where this is within our capacity. Formal immigration appeals must be lodged with the relevant authority through the proper legal channels, which our partner immigration lawyers can assist with.

9.4 External Resolution

If you are not satisfied with DC EDUTRAVEL’s final response, or if we have not responded within the timescales above, you may refer your complaint to:

• The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for data protection complaints: ico.org.uk
• Citizens Advice for general consumer complaints: citizensadvice.org.uk
• Your country’s national consumer protection authority for complaints arising in other jurisdictions

10.1 DC EDUTRAVEL Services — Free of Charge

DC EDUTRAVEL’s core student admission and visa guidance services are provided free of charge. There is no fee to pay and therefore nothing to refund for these services.

10.2 University / Institutional Fees

Tuition fees, enrolment deposits, and all other institutional charges are paid directly by the student to the university or institution. DC EDUTRAVEL does not hold, collect, or process any institutional fee payments. All refund requests relating to institutional fees must be submitted directly to the institution concerned, in accordance with that institution’s own refund policy.

DC EDUTRAVEL will provide reasonable assistance to a student seeking a refund from an institution — including providing supporting documentation — but cannot guarantee any refund outcome.

10.3 Visa Application Fees

Government visa application fees and health surcharges paid to immigration authorities are generally non-refundable regardless of the outcome. Students should confirm refund terms with the relevant immigration authority before submitting any application. DC EDUTRAVEL accepts no liability for visa fees paid by the student to a government body.

10.4 Partner Immigration Lawyer Fees

Fees charged by partner immigration lawyers or registered migration consultants are governed by the terms of the separate agreement between the student and the legal professional. DC EDUTRAVEL is not a party to those agreements and does not accept liability for any fees charged or disputes arising from them.

10.5 Premium or Supplementary Services

Where DC EDUTRAVEL offers any supplementary or premium paid services (which will be clearly identified and agreed in writing before any payment is taken), the following cancellation terms apply:

• Cancellation before service commencement: Full refund within 14 days
• Cancellation after service commencement but before completion: Pro-rata refund based on the proportion of the service not yet delivered, at DC EDUTRAVEL’s reasonable assessment
• Cancellation after service completion: No refund

10.6 Cancellation by DC EDUTRAVEL

DC EDUTRAVEL reserves the right to discontinue or withdraw its services in accordance with the Student Admission Agreement (see Terms & Conditions). Where DC EDUTRAVEL terminates a service due to the student’s provision of false or misleading information, or breach of the Student Admission Agreement, no refund will be due.

11.1 Permitted Use

DC EDUTRAVEL’s website and digital services may be used solely for lawful purposes in connection with legitimate enquiries about, or use of, DC EDUTRAVEL’s student admission, immigration, and education services.

11.2 Prohibited Use

You must not use DC EDUTRAVEL’s website or digital services to:

• Submit false, fraudulent, or misleading information in any form, application, or communication
• Impersonate any person, institution, or organisation
• Transmit unsolicited commercial communications (spam), chain letters, or bulk messages
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of our systems, servers, or data
• Introduce viruses, malware, ransomware, or any other malicious code
• Harvest or collect personal data about other users or third parties
• Use automated tools, bots, or scrapers to access or extract content from our website
• Engage in any conduct that may bring DC EDUTRAVEL or its partners into disrepute
• Breach any applicable laws or regulations

11.3 Enforcement

DC EDUTRAVEL reserves the right to investigate and take action in response to any suspected breach of this AUP, including:

• Immediate removal of access to our services
• Permanent blocking of IP addresses and email addresses used in connection with the breach
• Reporting the matter to relevant law enforcement authorities
• Pursuing civil remedies for any losses caused by the breach

11.4 Spam & Fraudulent Submissions

All contact form submissions and email communications are reviewed for authenticity. Spam, phishing attempts, fraudulent offers, and solicitation communications will be blocked, reported, and discarded. IP addresses used for automated or mass submissions will be permanently blocked. DC EDUTRAVEL may report evidence of fraud or scam attempts to Action Fraud and other relevant authorities.

12.1 Cookies We Use

12.2 Third-Party Cookies

Our website may include content from third-party services (such as Google Maps, YouTube, or social media platforms) that may set their own cookies. We do not control these cookies and recommend reviewing the privacy and cookie policies of those third-party services.

12.3 Managing Cookies

You can control and manage cookies in your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website. For more information about managing cookies, visit aboutcookies.org.

12.4 Cookie Consent

When you first visit our website, you will be presented with our cookie consent banner. Strictly necessary cookies will be placed regardless of your consent, as they are essential for the website to function. All other cookies will only be placed with your explicit consent. You may withdraw or change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the cookie settings link in the footer of any page.

13.1 About DC EDUTRAVEL

DC EDUTRAVEL is a division of DC Global Education, a company registered in England and Wales. Our registered office is 450 Bath Road, Heathrow, London, UB7 0EB, United Kingdom. References to “DC EDUTRAVEL”, “we”, “us”, or “our” in these terms refer to DC Global Education trading as DC EDUTRAVEL.

13.2 Services

DC EDUTRAVEL provides free student admission support and immigration guidance services to eligible applicants. The provision of these services is subject to the Student Admission Agreement, which must be signed before services commence. DC EDUTRAVEL reserves the right to decline, suspend, or withdraw services in the circumstances set out in the Student Admission Agreement.

13.3 No Guarantee of Outcomes

DC EDUTRAVEL makes no warranty or representation, express or implied, regarding the outcome of any university application, visa application, or immigration process. All decisions rest solely with the relevant educational institution or government immigration authority. DC EDUTRAVEL shall not be liable for any loss, expense, or inconvenience arising from the refusal or delay of any application.

13.4 Accuracy of Information

DC EDUTRAVEL makes every effort to ensure that information published on its website is accurate and up to date. However, information relating to visa requirements, tuition fees, and university entry requirements is subject to change at any time. You should always verify the latest requirements with the relevant institution or immigration authority before making any decision or commitment.

13.5 Intellectual Property

All content on the DC EDUTRAVEL website — including text, images, graphics, logos, and software — is the property of DC Global Education or its content licensors and is protected by UK and international copyright law. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from any content without our express written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use.

13.6 Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, DC EDUTRAVEL’s total liability to any person in connection with the use of its website or services shall be limited to the greater of: (a) the total amount paid by that person to DC EDUTRAVEL in the 12 months preceding the claim; or (b) £100. DC EDUTRAVEL shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, special, or punitive loss or damage of any kind.

13.7 Links to Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. These links are provided for your convenience only. DC EDUTRAVEL has no control over the content of those websites and accepts no responsibility for the content, accuracy, or practices of any third-party site. The inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by DC EDUTRAVEL.

13.8 User Content

By submitting any content to DC EDUTRAVEL — including via our contact or assessment forms — you confirm that the content is accurate, genuine, and does not infringe the rights of any third party. You grant DC EDUTRAVEL a non-exclusive licence to use that content solely for the purposes of providing its services to you.

13.9 Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms & Conditions are governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising out of or in connection with these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

13.10 Amendments

DC EDUTRAVEL reserves the right to amend these Terms & Conditions at any time. The updated version will be published on this page with a revised effective date. Continued use of our website or services after any amendment constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

13.11 Contact

For any queries regarding these Terms & Conditions, please contact us at compliance@dcedutravel.com.