WSET Policies 

 

DATA PROTECTION POLICY

Ikigai-shu cares about your privacy. When you enrol in a WSET course with Ikigai-shu, we require some general personal information to operate, provide, improve, understand, customise, support and market our Services.

Ikigai-shu will keep the candidates’ details for the minimum period of 3 years. After 3 years the candidate may request for their data to be removed. Our Privacy Policy describes the types of information we receive and collect from you and how we use and share this information.

  • To register you for WSET courses, appear for  examinations, earn WSET qualifications and request reasonable adjustments if applicable.
  • To issue you WSET exam results and qualification certificate.
  • To support post-results services such as result enquiries and appeals as well as gather feedback on your WSET learning experience and qualifications.
  • To provide assistance in any potential maladministration, malpractice or other non compliance in the delivery of your WSET qualifications.
  • To process invoices for sales services you have purchased from us.
  • To keep you informed via marketing communication including upcoming WSET qualifications and events that you express interest in.
  • We will not send you any marketing communication unless you have opted to receive Ikigai-shu emails, SMSs, WhatsApp and/or social media updates.
  • In the event that you have made a purchase from us or enquired about our courses, we may contact you regarding similar qualifications or services. You will always be provided with the opportunity to unsubscribe from any further communication.
  • At Ikigai-shu we respect and take data protection seriously. We strive to ensure that the information we collect from you remains private. The candidates’ data will be shared with WSET upon course enrolment. WSET will process candidate data and information in line with General Data Protection Regulations and WSET’s Data Protection Policy. Please refer to www.wsetglobal.com for more details on General Data  Protection Regulations.

REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS POLICY

The Ikigai-shu Reasonable Adjustments Policy aims to conduct fair assessments to give each candidate an equal platform at no advantage or disadvantage over another. A reasonable adjustment is any action that helps to reduce the effect of a disability or difficulty that places the candidate at a substantial disadvantage in the assessment situation. While the Reasonable Adjustments Policy does not affect the integrity of the WSET assessment, it may involve:

  • Amending standard assessment arrangements
    E.g. Allowing candidates extra time to complete an assessment activity.
  • Adapting study material
    E.g. Supplying study materials in large text format.
  • Permitting facilitators access during an assessment.
    E.g. Sign language interpreter or reader
  • Rearranging assessment rooms.
    E.g. Removal of visual stimuli for an Autism Spectrum Disorder candidates.

HOW TO APPLY FOR REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS

The make a Reasonable Adjustments Policy application, the candidate should:

  • Submit a request for Reasonable Adjustments at the time of enrolment for a WSET course via the booking form.
  • A request for Reasonable Adjustments must be made no later than five (5) weeks prior to the course date.
  • The application must include supporting evidence/documentation to your claim.
  • Ikigai-shu will only offer Reasonable Adjustment once validated and approved by WSET.

Applicants and their advisors should also be aware that:

  • The specific arrangements for the examination process itself, or for marking, will be agreed in each case between Ikigai-shu’s Exam Officer and the WSET Exams Manager and will vary according to individual circumstances.
  • WSET reserves the right to seek the advice of independent agencies as appropriate in coming to a decision on specific arrangements.
  • Please note that Ikigai-shu will not offer Reasonable Adjustments to any candidate until this has been agreed with WSET.
  • It is not considered appropriate to submit Reasonable Adjustment requests for special arrangements where a candidate’s learning difficulty directly impacts performance in tasks that are the focus of the examination.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS POLICY

The Special Consideration Policy recognises extenuating circumstances such as injury, temporary illness, bereavement or other adverse situations at the time of the examination. Special consideration is an action taken after an examination to allow such candidates at the time of the assessment to demonstrate attainment. Special consideration will not give unfair advantage over candidates for whom special consideration is not being applied or alter the assessment demands of the qualification as detailed in the applicable specification.

A candidate may be eligible for Special Considerations if:

  • Examination performance is affected by circumstances beyond the candidate’s control that may include personal illness, accident, bereavement or examination room conditions.
  • Alternative assessment arrangements agreed upon in advance of the examination proved inadequate or inappropriate.
  • The Special Consideration application does not mislead the end-user of the certificate.

HOW TO APPLY FOR SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

If applying for the Special Consideration Policy, please be aware:

  • A request must be submitted in writing to info@ikigai-shu.com no later than five (5) days after the date of the examination.
  • In the event that a Special Considerations Policy is submitted less than five (5) days after the examination date, an examination resit fee will apply as per prices stated on the course booking form.
  • Your application will only be considered if relevant supporting documentation from an independent organisation is submitted along with your application where required.
  • When a candidate is unable to attend an examination due to injury, temporary illness, bereavement or other adverse situations, Ikigai-shu makes every effort to reschedule and transfer the candidate to an alternative examination date at no extra cost.
  • In cases of serious disruption during the examination, the Ikigai-shu examination invigilator will submit a detailed report of the circumstances and candidates affected to WSET along with examination papers.
  • Please note that WSET does not offer aegrotat awards. All assessment requirements of WSET must be met in order to qualify and earn a certificate.
  • Special Considerations applicants will not receive an unfair advantage over candidates to whom the policy does not apply. In addition, examination demands for the WSET qualification will not be altered for policy applicants as detailed in the qualification specifications.

MALPRACTICE & MALADMINISTRATION POLICY

Ikigai-shu makes every effort to comply with WSET’s Policies & Procedures. Non-compliance is generally considered to fall into one of two categories:

  • Malpractice is an activity or practice where non-compliance is intentional or the result of negligence.
  • Maladministration is an activity of practice where non- compliance is accidental rather than intentional.

 

The boundaries between maladministration and malpractice are obscure with certain incidents falling into either category depending on the wider context. Some maladministration incidents may be considered malpractice when for instance there is failure to implement corrective measures, persistence of the incident, or subsequent attempts at non disclosure or misrepresentation. A malpractice incident may be deemed to be maladministration if there are extenuating circumstances. Whether a situation is maladministration or malpractice will be determined following an investigation.

APP malpractice or maladministration may include:

  • Failure to adhere to our clear candidate registration, examination and certification procedures including late registrations and repeatedly failing to respond to candidates in the timeline specified.
  • Issuing inaccurate examination results and/or failure to issue results in a timely manner.
  • Unauthorised reading, forgery, copying or distribution of exam papers.
  • Withholding of information, by deliberate act or omission, access to essential information.

Candidate malpractice or maladministration may include:

  • Inaccurate claim for results and/or certificates by submitting false or tampered information.
  • Copying/cheating on examinations including the use of unauthorised devices or materials.
  • Disruptive behaviour during an exam.
  • Plagiarism of any nature by candidates or impersonation (including forgery of signatures).

Candidates who are concerned that malpractice or maladministration has taken place should contact our team by emailing vtoma@ikigai-shu.com.

Please note that candidates who do not follow examination instructions communicated by Ikigai-shu Tutors and/or Exam Officers will be subject to sanctions that range from written warnings to disqualification.

CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY

In the event of course or resit cancellations, please notify Ikigai-shu a minimum of fifteen (15) days before the course/resit start date by email – info@ ikigai-shu.com. The candidate will be entitled to a refund of 80% of the course/resit fees via bank transfer within 14 days under the following circumstances:

  • Due written notice has been received and acknowledged by Ikigai-shu.
  • Study materials are returned in useable condition.

Should notice of cancellation be received less than fifteen (15) days before the course/resit start date, the candidate will forfeit their entire course fee.

Non-attendance of the course/resit will also result in forfeiture of the candidate’s course/resit fees.

HOW TO APPLY FOR COURSE TRANSFER

  • Candidates may transfer to another course or alternative resit date up to fourteen (14) days prior to the start date at no extra cost. To do so, please inform Ikigai-shu of your intent and transfer course/resit dates by emailing us at info@ikigai shu.com.
  • Please note that course/resit transfers are subject to availability and confirmation by Ikigai-shu team. Any variance in fees must be borne by the candidate and is to be paid in advance.

COMPLAINTS POLICY

Ikigai-shu is committed to providing the highest standards of service as a representative of WSET and course provider. In the event that a candidate is dissatisfied with the Ikigai-shu course delivery or conducting of examinations, please don’t hesitate to raise your concerns.

  • Send us an email detailing your grievance to info@ikigai-shu.com.
  • To speak to a member of the team, call us on +971 58 647 8955.
  • Request an appointment by email to meet one of the team in person at our office or course venue.

Please note that in order for Ikigai-shu to investigate your concerns, complainants must provide:

  • Full name, address and contact details.
  • Details of the complaint (with supporting documentation if applicable).
  • Details of any previous attempts to resolve the issue.

On receipt of your complaint and supporting details, you will receive acknowledgement from Ikigai-shu team within three (3) working days. We endeavour to investigate your complaint in a thorough and professional manner and a full detailed response will be sent to you within three (3) weeks from initial acknowledgement.

Should the response not satisfy the complainant, they are asked to email an appeal to Viktoryia Toma at vtoma@ikigai-shu.com. A full review will be conducted with a response issued within two (2) weeks from receipt of the appeal.

If the complaint is still not resolved after receipt of response to the appeal, a complaint may be filed with WSET by emailing WSET’s Quality Assurance Team at qa@wsetglobal.com.

All complaints will be treated with the strictest confidence and will not prejudice the faculty or examination result of the complainant.

COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE AWARDING BODY

Complaints against WSET should first be discussed with Ikigai-shu as detailed above. Documented evidence will then be forwarded to WSET who will address the complaint per their own Complaints Policy. WSETs complaints policy is available on request from QA@wsetglobal.com.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY

The Ikigai-shu Conflict of Interest Policy is designed to offer guidance to conducting business with professionalism, integrity, honesty, moral and ethical standards. A Conflict of Interest is intended to ensure that all associates avoid obligations, relationships or personal interests that could adversely affect their judgment in fulfilling their responsibilities. It lays the principles for conducting our business with undivided objectivity and loyalty in courses and examinations associated with WSET qualifications.

We identify, monitor and manage all Conflicts of Interests to preserve the integrity of the WSET courses and qualifications we offer.

Examples of Conflicts of Interest include, but are not limited to:

  • A moderator or examination invigilator has a personal interest in a registered candidate’s assessment results.
  • An Ikigai-shu employee engaged in WSET course delivery or taking the role of Internal Assessor in another organisation.

Some Conflicts of Interest can be managed by Ikigai-shu and are therefore acceptable. These instances will be handled on an individual basis to ensure that the integrity of our assessments is not compromised. In other cases, WSET has processes and procedures in place to manage actual or perceived conflicts of interest.

It is essential that any Conflict of Interest is declared to Ikigai-shu immediately. Candidates should communicate any concerns and declare any conflicts of interest they recognise to Ikigai-shu team by emailing at info@ikigai-shu.com . In its turn, Ikigai-shu team will promptly declare any recognized conflicts of interest to WSET.