STAY AWAY FROM VARSITY COLLEGE!!!

My son has been studying at VC for a few years now. This year, after numerous changes at VC, the registration process online was a joke. It did not work because the right modules were not added to his profile. We tried repeatedly online (I am not stupid - I word for an accredited tertiary institution and I am heading up the design an development of our online courses. I know something about computers). We went in person to the office at least 7 times, without any of the *********** student helpers being able to assist. I then demanded to see an admissions officer. After proving that I know how online systems work and explaining for the 10th time what they need to do to fix their system, I was told that they cannot do it - there is a central IT department that serves all VC campuses around the country.

I paid the deposit for the two modules my son has to complete and signed the contract like every other year with permission for them to institute a debit order against my account. No money has gone off, so someone phones me two weeks ago to ask why I am not paying. I asked her to look at my contract on their system and tell me what she sees. She replies, "you agreed to pay by debit order on the 1st of the month". Yes, I did, and did you create the debit order? No. Well, then why do you ask me why I'm not paying if the error is on your side? She said she would send me an email immediately with the account details. Two weeks later, I am still waiting.

We have used their Whatsapp registration option - totally useless! My son cannot log in to his student portal. He phoned IT at least 5 times and every time they say the same thing, "I reset it on this side. You will receive a SMS and need to click on the link to create a new password". He also went to the campus twice and they tell him the same thing every time. He tells them that he receives no messages from them. But they just keep on doing the same thing over and over.

When classes eventually started, the lecturer was totally *********** and took half-an-hour to set up his computer and then tried to teach from someone else's slides. When my son went to the next class, he arrived at an empty lecture hall. When he enquired he was told that the lecturer quit and that they will inform him when they find a replacement. So all the classes that was missed, is not caught up on - you must simply make a plan yourself. And then I must pay the full class fees????

I wish he can complete his studies to get away from VC. What started off as a smooth-running machine a couple of year ago, is no at risk of collapsing all-together. I guess the next thing to fall apart is their accreditation status and then all the students suffer.

VERY DISAPPOINTED!