Last year I signed up for courses with the Computer Training College (www.ctcollege.co.uk).
I signed up for the CompTIA A+, N+, Microsoft MCSA and Cisco CCNA. I have reached the stage where I am ready to take my A+ exams and contacted them about booking them. I was then told that the exam fees were not included in the course fees I had paid up front.
Having now done some research online I have found out that the CT College have often been quoted as fleecing students. They charge large fees, provide little support, and misrepresent their services.I am currently speaking to them and will try to cancel my course, and reclaim my course fees. I will be looking to start court action and contact the Trading Standards if I do not get a reasonable response from them.
I’ll keep you updated with my progress, but I would warn anyone considering study with them to reconsider QUICKLY. Having done the study for one qualification, I could do just as good a job with a £30 book from Borders or Amazon.
http://www.certforums.co.uk/forums/thread18129.html
http://www.certforums.co.uk/forums/thread4590.html
Update 1: I received a letter today stating that they stand by their original letter. They have no record of my phone call to them querying the exam fees being included, and believe that it was clearly explained that they were external and excluded. Luckily my girlfriend was in the room with me at the time and can vouch for this. My next action is to get copies of my phone bill showing this phone call to them, and ask them to investigate that. If they cannot prove that they told me otherwise, I will argue some more. As I said, I also have corroboration of this matter.
Update 2: I’ve written back to them for a third time, enclosing proof of a phone call they claim they have no record of where I was told that my exams were included. I now wait for a reply.
Update 3: I have set up a Google Group here where people can share their thoughts a bit better, and hopefully get the word out about these people.
I'm a blogger, Mac guy, iPhone lover, 
Im in the exact same boat as you m8! they’ve rubbish people skills and poor service at a very high price. ley me know how everythinh goes,
NDJ
0110rage@googlemail.com please do contact Me guys. Im having the same problem with this college as u. Perhaps as a group we would be able to do more about the matter. Because it’s driving me nuts every month when I have to pay these scamers.
Me Too…..paid them a years worth of money – £1000 and for what – their materials and training are awful. You all might like to know the Computer Training College Ltd, Potters Bar are in administration – search for “webcheck” on google and put in their name – the status column shows “R” – meaning in receivership. I have just written to them to tell them I have cancelled the course and requested all of money back – course i don’t think I’ll get it. Anyone else have the same problem? Be good if the above posters can keep the thread up to date, I’ll do my bit……….
Hi Scott. Thanks for leaving a comment.
So far my first letter was poorly replied to. They basically just said no the exams aren’t included and avoided my true complaint completely.
I wrote back to them and said they were just avoiding the real issue, being that I was explicitly told they WERE included.
I’m trying to get my money back. I’m not too optimistic but I have threatened taking legal action against them, or at least going to the CAB for help.
Please let me know what happens with your case. Perhaps together we can get some action out of them.
Had a chat with the Administrator, Independent Student Funding Ltd are purchasing CTC. The directors of CTC have bought the company – same directors as I S Funding Ltd!! Along with the company they buy the credit contracts etc.
Had a chat with CTC a couple of days ago – they are tricky, the lady I spoke to confirms that ISF Ltd are collecting payments and providing services now.
My local trading standards office think the agreement is difficult to get out of – anyone else have experience of this?
Awaiting a reply from CTC to a letter I sent complaining of their abysmal service..will update you when I get a reply
Yes guys we all in the same boat with same problems. I have a lot of problems with this bustards to. What a mug I was to sign a contract with them. The is much more better material on internet for just symbolical price or even for free. Does eny1 already was in court? Please tell how it was?
Hi Eerybody
My name Naim I am having the same problem, with Computer training college.
When they enroll me, and tell me all the lies about how much they care about their students And after finishing the course they will get you job (All f……ing liars)
Any way I am trying to get my money back (poor service, pay lot of money for nothing)
I send a letter to them through Nottingham Trading Standards Advice Center.
Saying the commitment they made to me when I start my A+ course.
They reply to me, totally opposite that they didn’t make those promises.
I never complied before all the sudden I am complaining after sixteen month of my course.
Which make me very very angry.
I will see what I can do to get my money back.
Wish me luck, also any advice.
Thanks
This is the first time I have heard that Computer Training College have had received complaints from disgruntled students about their course material and online support.
I woul like to say that i am glad that im not the only one this has happend to. It took two months before i got a response about who was my utor, After a great effort.
It now june and the only response i recived was one telling me who was my tutor. Also it a pain in bottom trying to get hod of someone to tell me what my password is. Also ove tried many times to aask what i have to do for asignments
Great site, Thanks Im phoning watchdog about the matter on monday
Its been bout to my attention that some people have had to wait three weeks to get there course leaning tools.Thats oddd.
The Advisor who signed me up on the course gave me my course stuff.
Welcoms other opinion on the matter
Thanks
JHustr to inform you that ive also sent a compaint for the second time to the college, Ater this im going to watchdog for some advice
this is the letter that i have sent
Dear college that does not teach
I have been p0aying for many months for a course that I am NOT being taught. After checking on go0ogle, I have found that I am not the only one who has paid for a course that I am not getting. Why do some people pay £2000 when others pay £4000? Do you honestly think im not going to report this. You should check on Google for the following . Type in complaints about ctccollege and see how many people are about to get justice for misleading them. You had time to create a professional website. So why do you tutors not have time to respond to any question they are asked? I would like my money back as this is the second fim=ng college that has tried to con me. I will be taking the matter further. With the help of at least 20 people in the same boat as I am.
Kind regards
I am just reading your comments, and have a same problem. Did you find something against these people? I am paying a lot of money for nothing, dont get any services, no training and if I call them or write them they dont answer.
I will appreciate your help! As a group we can do something against these people!!!
Adam – please feel free to contact me. I would like to get my money back.
Hi everyone,
I only wish I found out about you guys earlier. I am with this college and i want out from the contract which they have made me sign and pay thousands of pounds for. I think we should go to the watch dog and office of fair traiding basically. Their licence should be taken. They are cunning thieves.Please post areply and I’ll get back to you.
Kianda,
Here is my e-mail address: anibasz@hotmail.co.uk please contact me. More people easier way to get out of this.
kianda dont pay a penny to this company go to small claims court and get your money back company house in londen says ctc is [dorment] get on to inland revenue tradeing standards c.a.b.they are conmen i am wiating for my courtcase and will let you no howe we get on
Just a updat, Watchdog have told me they are looking into the college. They gave me the wrong number to so i checked yellow pages. They told me a load of rubbish about how i have been writing to the wrong place. that was ball. ive been goven my tutors details affter complaining on the phone and as i knew it macthed where i was sending it to im phoning again some time this week to complain yet again. the seem to think if they ignore me ill give up. (NOT A CHANE)
please go to bbc website and inform them of what has been happening to you for it is free
Just a updat, Watchdog have told me they are looking into the college. They gave me the wrong number to so i checked yellow pages. They told me a load of rubbish about how i have been writing to the wrong place. that was ball. ive been goven my tutors details affter complaining on the phone and as i knew it macthed where i was sending it to im phoning again some time this week to complain yet again. the seem to think if they ignore me ill give up. (NOT A CHANE)
please go to bbc website and inform them of what has been happening to you for it is free
CTC is crap. I have spent two years arguing with them about monthly payments, and in all those two years I have received just one folder of information (which was of no use), no test papers, no back-up, no support and a load of rubbish about entering into a contract so having to pay. What about the idea of not being satisfied with goods (not) provided and requiring money back? Sadly, if they are going into administration we suckers are all at the bottom of the pile and won’t get any money back. Any chance of compensation? I have records of all payments.
PS Several months ago I received a letter from them, full of typing errors and mis-information. I sent it back, and they replied that they were “a computer course, not a secretarial agency”. How unprofessional is that.
We have all been taken for a ride. Money down the drain.
I had an A+ book and N+ book when the scam came to my house he told me those were the wrong books and he told me that I will get the certifications with them, they send me these stupid looking books that they have made up and then I find out the books I have will be the ones I will write the exams about.The guy who came to my house told me he would get me a job as well.They also promised me that there would be classes.
I have now deceided to stop paying and will write them a letter to cancell the rest of the courses as they don’t know jack sh*t and are a bunch of liars.
just wondering if there is anymore news?
ive paid around £600, then decided to stop, they have sent me letters threatening to take me to court and that was about 6 months ago, havent heard nothing sinse then
is it possible to get our money back,is there any legal stance
just got a letter saying if i make 1 final payment to close my account they may be in a position to reduce my debt by over 50% if not legal action will commence on 9th september
has anyone been taken to court by ctc?
I am having the same problems. After I joined I had two children and a ill mum who has since passed away. I informed the college of these events and I have been assigned a new tutor who is saying they are not letting me finish my course as I did not keep in touch. I have proof that I did keep in touch and will not let the matter just be forgotton. I did not ask for a refund all I wanted was to complete the course. The tutor will not respond to my question.
Very Annoyed
Jay