Terms of Service

1. Introduction and Acceptance

1.1 Who We Are

Student Growth Space ("we", "us", "our") is a UK-based platform helping students navigate their path from sixth form through university. We provide free tools including a social mobility programme directory, student finance calculator, A-Level exam countdown, and career tracking features.

1.2 Accepting These Terms

By creating an account, accessing, or using Student Growth Space, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you don't agree, please don't use our platform.

Important: These terms form a legally binding agreement between you and Student Growth Space.

1.3 Changes to Terms

We may update these terms as our service evolves. When we do:

• We'll change the "Last Updated" date at the top
• We'll email registered users about significant changes
• We'll post a notice on the platform for at least 14 days before major changes take effect
• For material changes (data sharing, core features), we'll give you 30 days notice

What counts as "significant":

• New types of data collection or sharing
• Changes to your rights or how we operate
• Changes to how we generate revenue (e.g., new affiliate partnerships)

Your Options:

If you disagree with updated terms, you can:

• Delete your account before the effective date
• Opt out of specific new features (where applicable)
• Contact us to discuss concerns

Continued use after the effective date means you accept the updated terms.

2. Eligibility and Accounts

2.1 Who Can Use Student Growth Space

You must be:

• At least 16 years old, OR
• 13–15 years old with verifiable parental/guardian consent, OR
• Using the platform through your school with appropriate permissions

By creating an account, you confirm you meet these requirements.

2.2 Account Creation

When you sign up:

• Provide accurate, current information
• Choose a secure password
• Keep your account details up to date

One person, one account. Don't create multiple accounts or share your login details with friends.

2.3 Account Security

You're responsible for:

• Keeping your password confidential
• All activity that happens under your account
• Notifying us immediately if you suspect unauthorized access

If you share your account: You're responsible for anything the other person does. We recommend keeping it to yourself.

2.4 Account Termination

You can delete your account anytime in settings. We'll remove your data per our Privacy Policy (within 30 days).

We may suspend or terminate accounts for:

• Violating these terms
• Fraudulent activity
• Harming other users or the platform
• Extended inactivity (we'll warn you first)

3. Acceptable Use

3.1 What You CAN Do

• Browse and search our programme directory
• Bookmark programmes that interest you
• Use our calculator and career tools
• Share specific programme links with friends (not bulk scraping)
• Complete your protocol tasks and track your progress
• Contact us with feedback or suggestions

3.2 What You CANNOT Do

To keep Student Growth Space safe and fair for everyone, you must NOT:

3.3 Consequences

Breaking these rules may result in:

• Immediate account suspension
• Permanent termination
• Legal action (for serious violations)
• Reporting to authorities (for illegal activity)

4. Intellectual Property

4.1 What We Own

Student Growth Space owns:

• The platform code and design
• Our logo, branding, and visual identity
• The curated selection and organisation of programme information
• Original content we create (guides, articles, tool designs)

This doesn't mean we own the programmes themselves—just our presentation of the information.

4.2 Programme Information

Our directory contains information about third-party programmes (universities, employers, charities). This information is:

• Sourced from public websites, official sources, and direct research
• Presented for educational purposes
• Not owned by us (we don't claim copyright over Sutton Trust, KPMG, etc.)

We make reasonable efforts to keep information accurate and up to date.

4.3 Your Content and Feedback

You retain ownership of:

• Your personal data (see Privacy Policy)
• Any original content you create using our tools

By using Student Growth Space, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to:

• Use your anonymised feedback to improve the platform
• Implement suggestions you provide (we won't pay you for ideas you voluntarily share)
• Use anonymised usage patterns for analytics and research

This doesn't mean we own your data—we just have permission to learn from how you use the platform.

5. Programme Information and Disclaimers

5.1 Directory Purpose

Our programme directory helps you discover opportunities. However, we are NOT:

• The official application portal for these programmes
• Affiliated with or endorsed by the organisations listed
• Responsible for programme selection decisions
• Able to guarantee the accuracy of every deadline or requirement

5.2 Your Responsibility

Before applying to any programme:

• Verify details on the official programme website
• Check current deadlines (they change)
• Confirm eligibility requirements
• Contact the programme directly with questions

Example: If we say "Sutton Trust US Programme deadline: 15 November" but the official website says 1 December, the official website is correct. Always double-check.

5.3 Affiliate Relationships and Endorsement

Listing a programme doesn't mean we endorse it. We include programmes based on relevance to UK students, social mobility focus, public availability of information, and quality and reputation.

Affiliate Links:

• Some programme listings may contain affiliate links (we may earn a small referral fee if you apply through our link)
• This does not affect which programmes we include or our editorial independence
• All programmes meet the same quality criteria regardless of affiliate status
• Affiliate links help us keep the platform free and cover our running costs

Sponsored Content:

Some listings may be sponsored (clearly marked with "Sponsored" badge). Sponsored programmes meet the same quality criteria as organic listings.

6. User Data, Privacy, and Data Sharing

6.1 Your Data Ownership

You own your personal data. We process it according to our Privacy Policy, which covers what we collect, how we use it, your GDPR rights, and data security measures. Summary: We don't sell your personal contact information. We use your data to provide and improve our service.

6.2 Anonymised Data

We may use anonymised, aggregated data for platform analytics, research on student career trends, improving recommendations, and sharing insights with education partners. This data cannot identify you personally. We will never share your name, email, or personal contact details without consent; link anonymised data back to your account; or sell your personal information to marketing companies.

6.3 Data Sharing with Third Parties

Essential Service Providers:

We share data with Supabase (database, EU, GDPR compliant), Vercel (hosting), and Google (OAuth only if you choose). These providers are contractually required to protect your data.

Optional Features (Require Your Consent):

We may offer opt-in features to share your profile with universities, connect with UCAS or LinkedIn, or join employer talent pools. You always control what you share.

What We DON'T Share:

• Your email or contact details with marketing companies
• Your personal data with competitors
• Individual user data with third parties (unless required by law)

Legal Requirements:

We may share your data if required by law, necessary to protect safety or prevent fraud, or as part of a business transaction (we'd notify you first).

7. Disclaimers and Warranties

7.1 "As Is" Service

Student Growth Space is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, or accuracy of information.

7.2 Specific Disclaimers

7.3 No Guarantees

We cannot and do not guarantee:

• Admission to any programme, university, or job
• Specific outcomes from using our platform
• That the service will be uninterrupted or error-free
• That all programme information is 100% accurate (though we try!)

8. Limitation of Liability

8.1 What We're Not Responsible For

To the maximum extent permitted by UK law, Student Growth Space will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages; lost profits, lost data, or business interruption; or damages resulting from programme rejections, missed deadlines, inaccurate calculator results, or decisions made based on our information.

8.2 Liability Cap

Our total liability to you for any claim arising from these terms or your use of the platform is limited to £100.

8.3 Exceptions

These limitations don't apply to fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or anything that cannot be limited under UK law.

8.4 Your Acknowledgement

You acknowledge that our platform is a free educational tool, not a guarantee of success; career outcomes depend on many factors beyond our control; and you use the platform at your own risk.

9. Termination

9.1 By You: Delete your account anytime. See our Privacy Policy for data deletion details.

9.2 By Us: We may suspend or terminate your account for violations of these terms, extended inactivity (with warning), or platform discontinuation (we'd give 30 days notice).

9.3 Effect of Termination:

• Your right to use the platform ends immediately
• We delete your personal data per our Privacy Policy
• Provisions that should survive (liability limits, intellectual property) continue

10. Dispute Resolution

10.1 Governing Law: These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes will be resolved in the courts of England.

10.2 Informal Resolution First: Before filing any formal claim, email us at hello@studentgrowthspace.com describing the issue and give us 30 days to respond. Most issues can be resolved quickly this way.

10.3 Formal Disputes: If informal resolution fails, disputes will be resolved in the courts of England. You agree to exclusive jurisdiction. No class actions—disputes resolved only on an individual basis.

11. General Provisions

11.1 Entire Agreement: These terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Student Growth Space.

11.2 Severability: If any part of these terms is found invalid or unenforceable, the rest remains in full effect.

11.3 No Waiver: If we don't enforce a provision immediately, that doesn't mean we've waived our right to enforce it later.

11.4 Assignment: We may transfer these terms (and your account) to another company if Student Growth Space is acquired or merges. We'll notify you. You cannot transfer your account or these terms to anyone else without our written permission.

11.5 Force Majeure: We're not liable for failures caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control (e.g., internet outages, natural disasters).

11.6 Third-Party Rights: These terms don't create any rights enforceable by third parties (except where UK law requires otherwise).

12. Contact Us

Questions about these terms? Concerns about your account?

Email: hello@studentgrowthspace.com

Response time: We aim to respond within 48 hours

Postal address: [Your registered business address when you have one]

13. Summary Table

By using Student Growth Space, you acknowledge that you've read, understood, and agree to these Terms of Service.

Thanks for being part of our community. We're here to help you succeed.
— The Student Growth Space Team