Mid-Year Applications for 2026 are Now Open!

1.1 Academic Institute of Excellence (“AIE”) means Academic Institute of Excellence (Pty) Ltd, registration number 2012/211963/07 a private company registered terms of the laws of South Africa with registered address situated at Oracle Close, Halfway Gardens, Midrand, Gauteng, 1686.

1.2 Agreement means the application form, duly completed and signed together with the payment terms as contained on the application form, an invoice and any separate payment schedule, together with these terms and conditions.

1.3 Agreement amount means all charges and fees payable by the student/sponsor to AIE for the programme enrolled for as stipulated on the invoice.

1.4 Commencement date means the date on which each programme commences with classes, presentations or modules as communicated to the parties from time to time and as per the timetable schedule. Subject to change.

1.5 Days refers to a business day thus excluding Saturdays, Sundays and South African public holidays, unless stated otherwise.  In calculating any number of days, it will exclude the first day and include the last day. . 

1.6 Deposit means a minimum non-refundable deposit that is determined by AIE and due upon approval of the student’s application.  

1.7 External provider means a separate body that operates independently from AIE and responsible for awarding any programme, membership enrolment/recognition or any academic assistance, products or services

1.8 Foreign student means a student/applicant who is not a South African resident or who does not permanently reside in South Africa.

1.9 Intake date means the date on which the programme forms part of and programme modules and subjects are scheduled to begin with as a whole in line with time tables subjects/modules for the duration of any programme will apply to the starting of the intake enrolled for.

1.10 Party shall mean either the student (including the parent/guardian of the student if applicable), the sponsor, or the surety as the case may be. Parties means multiple parties as the case may be.

1.11 Programme means the specific programme as applied for by the student which includes full qualifications, short courses, a module or workshop.

1.12 Programme Material means any material supplied by AIE for each programme including study guides, software, specialised equipment applicable to the programme as determined by AIE, subject to change. 

1.13 Prescribed Material means any prescribed material determined by AIE for a programme of which the student will be liable to purchase.  It includes inter alia, prescribed textbooks, hardware, stationery, equipment, PPE and toolkits. 

1.14 Registration fee refers to a new student registering at AIE, a non-refundable registration fee in the amount determined by AIE is due and payable upon approval of his/her application. 

1.15 Re-registration means when a student registers for a new year/semester/intake, an invoice will be provided which will form part of the agreement amount. 

1.16 Responsible person/sponsor means the person who accepts liability for payment of all costs and fees due to AIE.

1.17 Student means the person who applies for and successfully enrols as a student for a programme presented by AIE. ”Applicant” shall have a similar meaning. In the event that the student is a minor then he/she shall be duly assisted by his/her parent or lawful guardian and in such event, any reference to a student shall include such parent or lawful guardian.

2.1 The agreement between the parties shall consist of the application form, the terms and conditions as contained herein as well as any terms and conditions on www.aie.ac and the payment options as selected by the student.

2.2 The student confirms by signature hereof that he/she applied to enrol for a programme presented by AIE and in doing so the student confirms to have bound himself/herself to the terms and conditions of the application and of AIE which is contained herein and which are available on the website www.aie.ac.

2.3 It is the obligation of the student to familiarize himself/herself with all terms and conditions, rules and protocols of AIE as contained herein and on the website www.aie.ac as well as on the online learning system.

3.1 Upon receipt of the application, AIE shall review and consider the application in AIE’s absolute and sole discretion. Should AIE in its aforementioned discretion approve the application then the student shall be registered with AIE as a student and be enrolled on the programme as selected by the student. The agreement shall apply from the date of registration and, be regarded to have been concluded at Midrand Gauteng, South Africa.

3.2 By submitting the application form to AIE, the student shall be regarded to have already familiarized himself/herself with all terms and conditions, rules, codes of conduct as published and made available on the student portal and protocols of AIE, accepts all financial liability and responsibility and the student would also have been regarded to have properly perused and considered the nature, extent, requirements and purpose of the specific programme details for which the student has applied.

3.3 Should the student and/or sponsor and/or surety’s personal details including but not limited to addresses, and contact numbers change then this shall be communicated to AIE within 3 (three) days of such change becoming effective. This is separate from the change of a chosen domiciliumcitandi et executandi.

4.1 By submitting the application form herein, the student confirms that all information provided is true and correct.

4.2 The student and sponsor (if applicable), by submitting the application herein, acknowledge that and expressly consent that AIE may do credit checks on the student (including a parent/guardian if the student is a minor) and/or the sponsor.

5.1 The fees and costs payable by the student and/or sponsor are as set out on the invoice and payment schedule as completed and accepted by the student and/or sponsor.

5.2 All fees and costs shall unless otherwise determined by the invoice and payment schedule, be payable within 7 (seven) days from receipt of invoice. Invoices shall be deemed to have been received on the date it was sent by e-mail and received at the e-mail server of the recipient.

5.3 In the event that the payment option to pay the fees and costs in instalments are applicable, then the student and/or sponsor shall ensure that a debit order is submitted for this purpose. Should such debit order not be set up then AIE shall without prejudice to its rights be entitled to refuse that the fees and costs be paid in instalments and insist on payment of all fees and costs upfront.

5.4 Upon receipt of the duly completed and signed application form together with these terms and conditions and elected payment option, the applicant shall immediately be liable for payment of the non-refundable registration fee, separate from and in addition to any tuition fees payable. 

5.5 AIE shall then proceed to review and consider the application and if accepted by AIE in its absolute and sole discretion, proceed to enrol, subject to the applicable deposit for the specific programme applied for being settled, register and enrol the student to such programme accordingly.

5.6 The non-refundable registration fee shall be payable immediately upon confirmation from AIE to the student that his/her application has been accepted and successful. The balance of the tuition fees shall be payable in accordance with the payment terms set out on the payment schedule.

5.7 The full agreement amount shall remain due and payable to AIE irrespective of the student’s attendance and participation in classes, assessment submissions or any academic activities. 

6.1 Notwithstanding anything else, any foreign student will be liable for payment of a deposit of 50% of the annual tuition fees each year before such foreign student shall be formally registered for the year and enrolled on the programme.

6.2 The balance of the tuition fees shall be payable in accordance with the payment terms set out on the payment schedule.

6.3 Subject to paragraph 6.1 above, a foreign student must obtain a study visa valid for the full study period from the South African Department of Home Affairs at their own cost.  AIE cannot be held responsible if the visa is declined and no refund of any fees already paid will be refunded. 

6.4 Should the visa be withdrawn and/or not renewed for any reason, the agreement is automatically cancelled and the foreign student remains liable for the full agreement amount. 

6.5 In the event that a foreign student is enrolled for online learning and needs to enter South Africa to complete, inter alia, workplace modules or workshop/lab practical training, the foreign student will be responsible for obtaining the relevant visa.  AIE will not be liable if such visa is declined and the full agreement amount remains liable to AIE irrespective of the foreign student being unable to complete the programme.   

7.1 The obligations of AIE are to provide specialised equipment (if applicable) and to ensure that the student receives a quality education and training in accordance with the platform, programme details, programme material, and these terms and conditions. 

7.2 The obligations of the student and/or sponsor are to comply with all terms and conditions, rules and follow all protocols, to log in to the online learning system, accept T&Cs, and attend as applicable all classes and programmes and use all programme material optimally.  

7.3 The student and/or sponsor will further have the obligation to purchase all prescribed material for the programme enrolled for.  The prescribed material to be determined by AIE for each programme, which is subject to change based on AIE’s discretion.   

7.4 The student is responsible to ensure proper, effective, and efficient access to the necessary resources including but not limited to, transport, internet access, and electricity in order to comply with all the criteria and requirements of the specific programme.

8.1 The agreement between the student, sponsor, and AIE as applicable shall not be automatically waived, amended, terminated, or postponed in any way without it being expressed and in writing agreed to by the parties.

8.2 Should AIE not be able to perform any of its obligations in any way due to any situation, occurrence, or circumstances beyond their control and cause as a result of any strike action, political or other unrest or protest, natural disaster, interruption and/or deprivation of any access to the necessary platforms, an act of God including but not limited to anything relating to any state of disaster declared and/or enforced by the South African government, then the student shall not be entitled to terminate the agreement or any portion thereof or refuse to make any due payment or perform any obligation in terms of the agreement. AIE does however undertake, in such event to act reasonably and endeavor to accommodate any student in any sensible and reasonable manner, in their sole and absolute discretion, to minimize any disruption or extension of time to complete the programme schedule.

9.1 Should the student and/or sponsor breach the agreement by failing to pay any amount due at any time then AIE shall immediately block any access of the student onto and into any campus, facility, platform, programme, and if the student and/or sponsor fails to bring such due payment up to date within 10 (ten) calendar days from the date of delivery of written notice by AIE requesting such payment to be made, then and at the election of AIE, AIE shall immediately terminate the registration and enrolment of the student for the remainder of the programme. The student may re-apply the following year for enrolment and AIE may in their sole and absolute discretion accept or reject such application. Should such application be accepted then AIE may insist on upfront full payment of all tuition fees and any cost in respect of any programme fees and programme material to be supplied.

9.2 Should the student and/or sponsor breach the agreement by failing to pay any amount due at any time and fails to bring such due payment up to date within 10 (Ten) calendar days from the date of delivery of written notice by AIE requesting such payment to be made, then in addition to the provisions of 9.1 above, the full outstanding amount of the programme fees and costs shall become immediately due and payable, and such full amount shall at that time accrue interest at 2% per month, notwithstanding anything contained in the payment structure schedule.

9.3 Should the aggrieved party incur any legal costs in order to protect or enforce any of its rights in terms of the agreement, then the defaulting party shall be liable for all legal costs on a scale as between attorney and own client as well as tracing, black listing fees and collection fees.

9.4 No programme and or certificate shall be issued to the student if any amount due by the student and/or the sponsor remains due and unpaid, irrespective of the fact that all programme requirements may have been complied with.

9.5 The student and sponsor hereby consent in terms of section 45 of the Magistrate’s Court Act 32 of 1944 to the jurisdiction of the Magistrate’s Court in the respect of any action instituted by AIE notwithstanding the fact that the sum claimed may exceed the monetary jurisdiction of the said court. This does however not prohibit any party from approaching any competent court with jurisdiction.

9.6 The parties to this agreement agree that a statement of account signed by an authorised financial manager of AIE stating the amount due and payable to AIE at any time will be sufficient proof of the student/sponsor’s indebtedness to AIE. 

9.7 Notwithstanding anything else contained herein and in addition thereto, is it recorded that, should a student contravene the code of conduct (as published on www. aie.ac) or any other rules applicable to any specific study programme communicated to the student from time to time, this shall be regarded as a material and serious breach of the agreement and then AIE shall be entitled to immediately block and deny the student any further access to any campus, facility, platform, programme and, at the election of AIE, such student’s registration and enrolment for the remainder of the programme shall immediately be suspended. Such suspension shall be immediate, pending an internal disciplinary investigation and process to be conducted promptly and fairly by AIE, giving the student reasonable opportunity to present his/her case on a method and platform as decided by AIE.

9.8 Should AIE, subsequent to the disciplinary process conclude that the conduct of the student justifies permanent expulsion then this will be so communicated to the student and his/her enrolment shall be terminated. In this event, the student shall not receive any refund of payments and the student remains liable for the full agreement amount. Should AIE however subsequent to the disciplinary process conclude that, although the student was guilty of misconduct but permanent expulsion and termination are not justified then they may implement such steps as they in their discretion deem reasonable. This shall include to re-admitting the student to the programme. No time so missed shall be allowed to be redone or repeated and no discount or refund shall be allowed because the reason for the initial suspension was due to misconduct by the student.

9.9 Should any party (“defaulting party”) to the agreement breach any other obligations in terms of the agreement, and fail to remedy such breach within 10 (ten) calendar days from delivery of a written notice from the other party(s) (“aggrieved party”), calling on the defaulting party to remedy such breach, then the aggrieved party shall be entitled to the following:

9.9.1 Specifically enforce the terms of the agreement; or

9.9.2 Terminate the agreement; and

9.9.3 Claim any damages suffered by the defaulting party.

9.10 Dispute Resolution Clause: In the event of any dispute arising between the student and AIE regarding the terms and conditions of this agreement, the parties agree to make every effort to resolve the dispute amicably through internal dispute resolution measures before resorting to any public disclosure or review.

9.10.1 Internal Dispute Resolution:
Informal Negotiation: The parties shall initially attempt to resolve the dispute through informal negotiations. Each party shall appoint a representative to meet and discuss the matter in good faith, with the objective of reaching a mutually satisfactory resolution.

9.10.2 Escalation to Department Head:
If the dispute remains unresolved after the initial negotiation, the parties shall escalate the matter to the respective department head or designated authority. The department head or designated authority will review the dispute and seek a resolution.

9.10.3 Mediation:
If resolution is not achieved through the previous steps, the parties agree to consider mediation as an alternative dispute resolution method. Mediation will be facilitated by a neutral third party, and the parties shall cooperate in good faith to reach a resolution acceptable to both.

9.10.4 Confidentiality: 
Throughout the dispute resolution process, both parties agree to treat all discussions, negotiations, and mediation proceedings as strictly confidential. Confidentiality shall be maintained by all involved parties and shall extend to any documents or information exchanged during the resolution process.

9.10.5 Prohibition of Public Disclosure:
To protect the reputation and interests of both parties, the student agrees not to post any reviews, comments, or other public disclosures regarding the dispute or any aspects of the educational institution without prior written consent from the institution. Both parties understand that public disclosures may exacerbate the dispute and hinder efforts to achieve an amicable resolution.

9.10.6 Exceptions: 
This dispute resolution clause shall not prevent either party from seeking injunctive relief or other legal remedies to protect their rights or enforce obligations under this agreement.

10.1 AIE shall in its sole discretion and expertise determine the exact duration, nature, criteria, requirements, format, and structure of any programme presented by AIE.

10.2 Only if a student has fully complied with the criteria and standards as determined by AIE and/or relevant external provider (if applicable) in respect of each specific programme, then the student shall be entitled to obtain the qualification in respect of the programme.

10.3 In the event that an external provider is responsible for awarding a qualification, AIE cannot be held liable for such failure and/or delay of an external provider to perform.

10.4 By submitting his/her application to AIE in terms hereof the student confirms that he/she has acquainted himself/ herself with all aspects of the programme, including but not limited to the standards, duration, end qualification, and application scope of such programme and qualification. Should any student decide for whatever reason not to proceed with a programme and terminate his registration and enrolment after the cooling-off period, then the provisions of the termination clause shall apply, without exception.

10.5 The student acknowledges that he/she did not apply to AIE as a result of any guarantee or undertaking or any representation by or on behalf of AIE.

10.6 Should any student for whatever reason fail, or be unable to attend any class or evaluation/exam or log into any electronic/online class or evaluation/exam or presentation on any relevant platform then, unless it is common cause that such failure or inability is due to omission or fault of AIE, failure or inability shall be to the student's detriment and AIE shall under no circumstances be required to accommodate the student by allowing any discount of fees or by amended any programme requirements or material or by repeating such programme, class or presentation.

11.1 AIE shall determine in its sole discretion and expertise the format, scope, and standard of programme material, as applicable.

11.2 Upon successful registration of a student, AIE shall provide the student with all necessary programme material, as applicable for the programme..

11.3 A list of prescribed material related to each programme will be provided to the student by AIE.  The prescribed material does not form part of the programme material supplied by AIE.  The student will be responsible for purchasing such items listed as prescribed material for the programme prior to commencement of their programme and AIE cannot be held responsible should the supplier be out of stock.

11.4 Subject to the provisions of the “termination” clause herein, the costs for the programme material (if applicable) are included in the tuition fees and costs as set out in the payment structure schedule.

12.1  The student and/or sponsor indemnify AIE against any claim, loss, damage, injury or death that results from any negligence or deliberate act or omission by the student, on or off campus. 

12.2 AIE will only accept responsibility for loss or damage suffered by the student if such damage or loss is caused by AIE or its authorised agent as a result of gross negligence.

12.3 The student and/or sponsor further indemnify AIE (including its employees, authorised agents or subcontractors) against any claim linked to any loss, damage or injury to the student or their property in the course of any academic activity or social events hosted by AIE, unless caused by AIE’s gross negligence. 

13.1 This agreement between the parties shall commence upon acceptance of the application and confirmation of registration and endure for the duration of the programme or until lawfully terminated in compliance with this clause.

13.2 Notwithstanding anything else, it is recorded that the student shall be entitled to a cooling-off period of 14 (fourteen) calendar days from the intake date of the programme, within which the student shall be entitled to terminate the agreement, by giving written notice to AIE of such termination. No penalty shall be levied in event of termination by the student during the cooling-off period.

13.3 AIE shall be entitled to terminate the agreement prior to the end of the programme in accordance with clause 9 (nine) above.

13.4 The student may terminate the agreement after the cooling-off period has lapsed, for whatever reason by giving AIE 20(twenty) business days prior written notice of such termination, subject to a penalty being levied against the student.

13.5 The penalty levied against the student, which the student by accepting these terms, agree to be fair and reasonable, shall be determined by the timing of such termination notice relative to the duration of the programme, as follows:

13.5.1 Should the student terminate the agreement within the first quarter of the duration of the programme, once reviewed and approved, then the student shall be liable for 50% of the remainder of the agreement amount for the programme. The remaining 50% of the agreement amount shall be refunded to the student.

13.5.2 Should the student terminate the agreement after the first quarter of the programme then the student shall be liable for the full agreement amount of the programme and the student shall not be entitled to any refund.

13.5.3 In the event of the student terminating the agreement, whether in terms of clause 13.2 or 13.4 the student shall not be entitled to be refunded in respect of the non-refundable deposit, inclusive of the new student registration fee or any such programme material supplied by AIE to the student (if applicable) shall become the property of the student from payment thereof or delivery to the student, whichever occurs later.

13.6 Any cancellations in terms of this clause must be addressed to: The Client Experience & Relations (CER) department and emailed to cer@aie.ac or by hand and must include the date of sending the cancellation.

14.1 Notwithstanding anything else is it recorded that the student shall be entitled to a cooling-off period of 14 (fourteen) calendar days from the intake date of the programme, within which the student shall be entitled to transfer, to a future intake or to transfer to a different learning method/platform or a different programme by giving written notice to AIE of his/her intention to do so. Such notice must be addressed to: The Client Experience & Relations (CER) department and emailed to cer@aie.ac.

14.2 Any such request for transfer shall always be subject to compliance with any pre-admission criteria and requirements applicable to that programme.

14.3 A request for transfer so done within the 14-day cooling-off period, shall be subject to the following conditions:

14.3.1 Transfer to a future intake:

14.3.1.1 Programme fees remain the same.

14.3.2 Transfer to a different learning method:

14.3.2.1 The invoice will be adjusted (if applicable) to the new learning method cost.

14.3.3 Transfer to a different programme:

14.3.3.1 The invoice will be adjusted (if applicable) to the new programme cost.

14.3.3.2 No programme material (if applicable) may be returned once released, the full amount for the programme material will be due upfront.

14.4 A request for transfer so done after the 14-day cooling-off period, will be considered for extenuating circumstances only and shall be subject to the following conditions:

14.4.1 Transfer to a future intake:

14.4.1.1 10% transfer/admin fee on programme fees will be charged on any transfer to a future intake.

14.4.1.2 Programme fees will be adjusted to new intake programme fees.

14.4.2 Transfer to a different delivery method:

14.4.2.1 10% transfer/admin fee on programme fees will be charged on any transfer to a future intake.

14.4.2.2 Programme fees will be adjusted to new intake programme fees.

14.4.3 Transfer to a different programme:

14.4.3.1 No transfers of programme will be accommodated.

14.4.3.2 No programme material (if applicable) may be returned once released. An invoice for the programme material received will be charged.

Should the student have to redo any portion of the programme in which he/she has failed, this will be subject to the requirements and schedule of each programme and charged at the standard rate per subject/module with a possible discount, but such discount shall be considered in the sole and absolute discretion of AIE.

16.1 Should any third party, whether a person or an entity, accept liability of the payment of fees and costs on behalf of the student, such third party shall be regarded as the sponsor of the student. Notwithstanding that a student shall have a sponsor, it is agreed that the student shall at all times be a co-principle debtor and the student and the sponsor shall be jointly and severally liable for payment of all costs.

16.2 Should such sponsor be an entity and the payment of the costs and fees are requested to be paid on payment terms rather than the upfront once-off payment then a person being a director or member of such entity shall commit him/herself as surety for the obligations of the entity. Such surety shall sign a separate and written deed of surety, if required, and acknowledges that he/she out of his/her own free will commits himself/herself as such and he/she understands the implications thereof.

16.3 Such surety acknowledge that he/she is aware that he/she is liable for due payment of any outstanding amount should the student and/ or sponsor fail to fulfill its obligation. The amount for which the surety is liable for is the full unpaid and outstanding balance in respect of tuition fees, costs, and programme material (if applicable) costs plus interest as provided for in clause 8.2 above, and legal costs on a scale as between attorney and own client as well as all tracing fees, blacklisting fees, and collection fees.

16.4 It is agreed that at all times the interpretation, execution, and enforcement of this agreement shall be subject to the jurisdiction, laws, and statutes of the Republic of South Africa.

17.1 The parties choose as their chosen domicillium citandi et executandi, being the address (including e-mail) where he/she/it shall accept all notices or processes, the addresses as set out in the application form (the student/sponsor/surety) and for AIE Oracle Close, Halfway Gardens, Midrand, 1686. Any physical address for purposes hereof shall be an address within the Republic of South Africa.

17.2 Either party may amend its chosen domocillium citandi et executandi, by giving the other party 7 (seven) calendar days prior written notice of such amendment, at the other party’s chosen domicillium citandit et executandi (including e-mail addresses).

17.3 Any notice given by any party hereto in terms hereof shall be deemed to have been delivered and received if:

17.3.1 Delivered by hand at the chosen physical address, on the day of delivery thereof with acknowledgement of receipt by the recipient;

17.3.2 Sent by registered post to the physical address, on the fourth day after dispatch of the registered mail;

17.3.3 Sent by e-mail, on the day it was delivered in the inbox of the recipient, subject that same is delivered on a business day, between 07H00 and 16H00. If delivered after 16h00 the day of delivery shall be deemed to be the following business day.

18.1 The student, sponsor (if applicable), and surety (if applicable) do herewith confirm that he/she/it provided all personal information voluntarily to AIE for purposes of applying for, enrolling, and completing the study programme accordingly.

18.2 The student, sponsor (if applicable), and surety (if applicable) herewith consents as is required in terms of Protection of Personal Information Act, Act 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”) that AIE may have, store and use their personal information for any lawful purpose related to the registration, enrollment, programme presentation, recording and distribution for programme, results and qualification purposes. This includes publishing and distributing such personal details to and for notification of marks but is not limited to; student identification number, full names, registration details selected due to governing bodies processes and procedures for bulk registrations.

18.3 Each party undertakes to comply with the statutory requirements pertaining to the protection of personal information as provided for in the POPIA.

18.4 The student permits AIE to use any of their work completed during the course of their studies, including work entered into any competition, for marketing and promotional purposes.

18.5 The student further consents to AIE using any image of the student in any marketing material.

19.1 It is recorded that the student and any sponsor and surety shall print and sign the application form by hand. Same shall then be scanned and returned to AIE together with these terms and conditions and the payment terms and payment structure schedule which shall be completed accepted and signed electronically online.

19.2 Such electronic completion, acceptance, and signature shall be regarded as a lawful and binding signature and provided for in terms of the Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005.

19.3 The agreement consisting of the hand-signed application form, these terms and conditions (electronically accepted and signed), and the payment terms, invoice and payment schedule completed and signed electronically as part of the application, shall be the entire and valid agreement between the parties.

19.4 By virtue of signing this agreement, it is accepted that the terms and conditions are understood and that the signatories are duly authorised to enter into this agreement. 

20.1 This agreement consisting of the application form, an invoice and the payment schedule, and these terms and conditions, is the entire agreement between the parties, and no amendment, cancellation, or addition thereof shall be of any force and effect unless same is reduced to writing and signed by or behalf of all the parties hereto.

20.2 No indulgence or relaxation of any terms or provision will in any way be a waiver of such terms and no party shall be prevented or stopped from enforcing the terms of the agreement in any way as a result of any such indulgence or relaxation.

20.3 This agreement may be signed electronically and in counterparts and the parties accept same as such to be lawful and binding.

20.4 Should any provision contained herein be unenforceable for whatever reason then such provision shall be severed from the remaining provisions and the remaining provisions shall be and remain in force.