Non-Refundable Deposit.
- All programs (Cape Town, Lisbon, New York, and Online) require a non-refundable deposit of USD $950.
- The deposit is non-refundable if you cancel, defer, or withdraw for any reason. We refund it only if iXperience cancels your program for a reason within our control, or if applicable law requires a refund.
Refunds for Program Cancellation by iXperience.
If iXperience cancels your program for a reason within our control, including insufficient enrollment, you will receive a full refund of everything you have paid, including the deposit. You may instead transfer to another iXperience program at no additional cost. We will confirm that your program is going ahead no later than 60 days before the program start date.
If cancellation is due to circumstances beyond iXperience’s control (e.g., travel bans, government restrictions, force majeure), refunds will exclude non-recoverable costs in addition to the deposit in line with the Processing of Refunds section below.
Except for the refund set out above, and except where liability cannot be excluded by law, iXperience is not liable for any other losses or costs arising from the cancellation.
Non-recoverable costs are amounts we have already paid to third parties on your behalf and cannot recover. You may request a breakdown before processing any refund.
Program Cancellation by the Participant – Abroad Programs.
If you cancel and notify iXperience in writing, refunds will be processed as follows (deposit excluded in all cases). Your official cancellation date is the date we receive your written notice (or the next business day, if received on a weekend).
Below is the refund breakdown for abroad programs (Cape Town, Lisbon, and New York).
Applicable dates
Refund due to you
(Standard Reasons)
Percentages are calculated on the total program fee excluding the deposit, regardless of how much you have paid at the date of cancellation. If you have paid less than the amount due under this policy, the balance remains payable.
Program Cancellation by the Participant – Online Programs.
If you cancel and notify iXperience in writing, refunds will be processed as follows (deposit excluded in all cases):
Below is the refund policy breakdown for online programs.
Applicable dates
Refund due to you
(Standard Reasons)
Percentages are calculated on the total program fee excluding the deposit, regardless of how much you have paid at the date of cancellation. If you have paid less than the amount due under this policy, the balance remains payable.
If You Stop Responding or Don't Pay.
- Canceling your place requires written notice to us - going quiet, or simply not making a scheduled payment, does not count as a withdrawal.
- If you disengage, stop paying, or don't respond, we will send you a written notice. If we have not heard from you within 14 days of that notice, we will treat your place as withdrawn on the date of the notice, and the refund table above will apply from that date. Until then, you remain responsible for the full program fee.
Scholarships & Financial Aid.
- If you withdraw before your program starts or leave before it's completed, we will revoke any scholarship, grant, or financial aid discount applied to your fees.
- You may be required to repay any scholarship or grant funds already applied, in addition to anything owed under this refund policy.
Extenuating Circumstances.
- This section applies in addition to the refund tables above.
- In extreme or exceptional circumstances (e.g., severe illness, death of a direct family member), regardless of when you withdraw, iXperience may, at its sole discretion, consider a refund, credit, or other accommodation. This is not guaranteed, and nothing in this section obligates iXperience to grant any refund, credit, or accommodation.
- Requests must be made in writing and supported by appropriate documentation.
- iXperience reserves the right to verify all documentation before making a decision.
Program Switches.
- Program switches are approved at iXperience's sole discretion.
- If you switch into a program with a higher fee, you'll need to pay the difference, regardless of when the switch is approved.
- If you switch into a program with a lower fee 90 or more days before your program start date, we'll refund the difference, excluding the deposit and any non-recoverable vendor or third-party costs, within 40 working days.
- If you switch into a program with a lower fee fewer than 90 days before your program start date, no refund of the difference will be issued.
Major Program Changes.
If we make a significant change to your program after your place is confirmed, you may withdraw within 14 days of being notified and receive a full refund, including the deposit. A significant change means a change of destination city, a change to the program start or end date of more than 7 days, or removal of the program track you enrolled in.
Minor changes, such as a reordered itinerary, different excursions, or a change in teaching staff, are not significant changes and do not carry a refund.
Program Deferral.
In the event you are unable to attend the iX program and would like to defer your program to the following year, you may request a deferral. Requests are processed as follows:
Submit deferral requests in writing; iXperience grants them at its sole discretion, typically only in exceptional circumstances (e.g., serious illness or the death of a direct family member).
Deferrals are not guaranteed and are subject to availability in the following year's program.
Requests made more than 90 days before the program start date will be considered, but you will be required to pay a new deposit of $950 the following year. Requests made within 90 days are at our discretion.
Only one deferral is permitted - repeat deferrals aren't available.
If the following year's program has a different fee, you may be required to pay the difference.
Airline Tickets and Travel Documentation.
- iXperience is not responsible for flights, visas, or incidental travel costs, regardless of the reason for cancellation.
- Program placements are non-transferable without prior written consent.
- Not getting your visa or passport approved in time doesn't entitle you to a refund outside of the standard terms above - so please apply early.
Once Your Program Has Started.
- No refunds are given for any accommodation, meals, classes, activities, or excursions you miss or don't use once the program has begun, regardless of the reason.
Processing of Refunds.
- Refunds are processed within 40 working days of the date we confirm your refund amount and receive your account details.
- We will process refunds in the original currency and payment method where possible.
- Bank or currency conversion fees are the participant's responsibility.
General.
This policy applies to participants enrolling on or after 1 August, 2026 for 2027 programs.
This policy is governed by the laws of South Africa. Nothing in this policy limits any right you have under consumer law that cannot be excluded.
The FAQ below is a summary for convenience. If there is any conflict between the FAQ and this policy, this policy applies.
FAQ Section.
To clarify the policy and address common questions, add this expandable FAQ to the website. Questions are based on typical user concerns from study abroad forums and policies.
- What is the deposit, and why is it non-refundable?
The deposit secures your spot and covers our planning costs (e.g., admin, marketing). We keep it if you cancel, defer, or withdraw. We return it if we cancel your program. This protects our limited program capacity.
- What counts as an 'extenuating reason' for a better refund?
Things like serious illness (physical or mental, with a professional note), death of a direct family member (parents, siblings, guardians).
- How do I request a deferral instead of canceling?
Email us with your reasons for requesting a deferral. If approved (more than 90 days before your program start date), your spot rolls over, and you will pay a new $950 deposit for the following year.
- What if the program switches from abroad to online?
If we move your program online, that counts as a significant change, so you can withdraw within 14 days and receive a full refund including the deposit. If you would rather continue online, we will refund the price difference minus any non-recoverable costs.
- How long until I get my refund?
We'll email a breakdown of the amount to be deducted, and once you provide your account details, we'll issue the refund within 40 working days from the date we confirm your account.
- What about flights or visas if things go wrong?
We suggest buying flexible tickets and insurance. We partner with providers to make bundling easy and cover these.
- Can I transfer my spot to a friend?
No, unless we approve in writing (which is rare, for security reasons). Apply early to avoid issues.
- What if iXperience cancels the program?
If we cancel for a reason within our control, you receive a full refund including the deposit. If we cancel because of events beyond our control, your refund excludes the deposit and any costs we cannot recover. - How do I prove a valid reason?
Submit documentation to us via email. - What happens if I just stop responding instead of formally canceling?
You're still responsible for the full program fee. Only a written withdrawal request starts the refund process - going quiet doesn't count as canceling. - I received a scholarship or financial aid - what happens if I withdraw?
Any scholarship or aid applied to your fees will be revoked, and you may need to repay funds already applied, on top of anything owed under the standard refund terms.
