Purpose

This policy outlines the procedures for students at the Cambridge Academy of Risk Management (CARM) to claim their certificates upon successful completion of a programme, as well as the process for student withdrawal. It ensures compliance with university and awarding body requirements and provides transparency for learners.

Certificate Claim Policy

Eligibility

• A certificate will be issued by university or awarding body once a student has:
  • Successfully completed all programme requirements.
  • Passed all required assessments.
  • Fulfilled any outstanding financial obligations to CARM.

Procedure

1. Upon confirmation of results, CARM will process certificate claims through the awarding body within 20 working days.
2. Certificates will be issued in the name provided at registration; any changes must be supported by legal documentation.
3. Students will be notified via email when their certificate is available for collection or dispatch.
4. Certificates may be collected in person (with ID) or sent by secure post upon request.
5. Replacement certificates (due to loss or damage) must be requested directly from CARM. A formal request should be submitted to support@carm.com and applicable replacement fees (as set by the awarding body) will be payable by the student.

3. Withdrawal Process
4. Voluntary Withdrawal

CARM recognises that, for various reasons, a student may decide to withdraw from their studies. This may be due to personal circumstances, financial pressures, health issues, or a change in career direction. Wherever possible, CARM aims to support learners in exploring alternatives before making the final decision to withdraw.

Process

1. Students considering withdrawal are encouraged to first contact the Student Support Team to discuss their situation.
2. Where appropriate, CARM will:
   • Explore options such as temporary suspension of studies, deferral, or part-time study.
   • Offer academic and wellbeing guidance to help students make an informed choice.
   • Provide information about financial implications (including fees and refunds, where applicable).
3. If a student decides to proceed, they must complete a Withdrawal Form, available from the Student Support Team, and submit it via email to support@carm.com
4. Withdrawals will be confirmed in writing within 10 working days.

Support Offered

• CARM will provide academic transcripts for completed modules where appropriate.
• Students will be given advice on how withdrawal may affect future study opportunities with awarding bodies and higher education institutions.
• Pastoral support will be available to ensure the student feels supported during the transition.

CARM’s aim is always to retain learners wherever possible by offering solutions, but where withdrawal is the best option, the process will be handled with care, professionalism, and confidentiality.

1. Institutional Withdrawal

CARM reserves the right to withdraw a student in cases such as:

• Persistent non-attendance or lack of engagement.
• Non-payment of tuition fees.
• Academic misconduct or breach of institutional policies.

Support and Interventions
Before any withdrawal is actioned, CARM will:

• Contact the student to discuss the issue and provide an opportunity to resolve it.
• Offer academic, financial, or wellbeing support where appropriate (e.g., learning support, financial advice, or pastoral care).
• Provide clear written warnings and set deadlines for the student to re-engage or resolve the matter.

Formal Withdrawal
If the student does not respond to interventions or continues to breach requirements:

• The withdrawal decision will be confirmed in writing, outlining the reasons.
• The student will have the right to appeal the decision in line with the CARM Complaints and Appeals Policy.
• Where required, the awarding body will be formally notified.

After Withdrawal

• Students will receive transcripts for completed modules, where applicable.
• Guidance may be offered regarding future opportunities to reapply or continue studies elsewhere.

CARM views institutional withdrawal as a last resort, only after all reasonable support measures have been offered and exhausted.

Appeals

Students who wish to appeal against a withdrawal decision or a delay in the issue of their certificate have the right to request a review.

Process

• Appeals must be submitted in writing within 10 working days of receiving the decision.
• The appeal should clearly outline the grounds for appeal and include any supporting evidence.
• Appeals will be reviewed by a senior member of staff not involved in the original decision to ensure fairness and impartiality.

Outcome

• The student will receive a written response confirming the outcome of the appeal.
• Where the appeal is upheld, appropriate corrective action will be taken as quickly as possible.
• Where the appeal is not upheld, the reasons for the decision will be clearly explained to the student.

CARM is committed to ensuring that all appeals are handled promptly, fairly, and transparently, with respect for the rights of all students.

Review

This policy will be formally reviewed on an annual basis to ensure it remains up to date with university and awarding body regulations, sector best practice, and CARM’s internal standards.

The review will consider:

• Changes to awarding body requirements or external regulations.
• Feedback from staff, students, and external stakeholders.
• Lessons learned from the implementation of the policy, including any appeals or withdrawal cases.
• Recommendations from CARM’s Academic Council and Quality Assurance processes.

If updates are required, a revised version of the policy will be approved by senior management and circulated to all staff and students. The most recent version will always be made available to learners through the CARM Learning Zone.