Student Terms & Conditions
The Holistic Grooming Academy (HGA)
Last Updated: 15/07/2026
These Student Terms and Conditions apply to all learners enrolled on educational programmes provided by The Holistic Grooming Academy (HGA). By enrolling, you agree to abide by these terms throughout your studies.
1. About HGA
The Holistic Grooming Academy provides professional distance learning education for dog grooming professionals through flexible digital and printed learning resources, tutor support and structured assessment.
The Behaviour Grooming Diploma is a professional certification programme. It is not a regulated qualification within the UK qualifications framework.
The programme is currently:
Approved by the Complementary Medical Association (CMA).
Recognised through the iPET Network Professional Development Recognition (PDR) Scheme.
These approvals recognise the educational quality and continuing professional development value of the programme but should not be interpreted as a regulated qualification.
2. Student Responsibilities
By enrolling, you agree to:
Study independently and manage your own learning.
Complete work honestly and to the best of your ability.
Maintain respectful communication with tutors, staff and fellow learners.
Meet assessment deadlines where reasonably possible.
Keep your contact details up to date.
Read and comply with all HGA policies.
3. Study Options
Students may enrol through one of the following options:
Full Diploma
Immediate access to all 13 modules.
Maximum completion period of 24 months.
Module-by-Module Route
Access to one module at a time.
Maximum of 3 months per module.
Maximum overall completion period of 39 months.
Students who exceed their study period may be required to re-enrol or purchase an extension.
4. Course Materials
Students receive either:
Digital Learning
Access to downloadable course materials through the HGA learning platform.
or
Premium Printed Learning Pack
Printed reference manual and student workbook in addition to digital access.
Printed learning packs are currently available to UK mainland addresses only.
Shipping charges apply separately.
5. Tutor Support
Tutor support is available throughout your studies.
Students are expected to:
communicate professionally;
allow reasonable response times;
engage with assessment feedback;
seek clarification whenever required.
HGA aims to respond to learner enquiries promptly during normal business hours.
6. Assessments
Students must successfully complete all required practical tasks and assessments before certification can be awarded.
Where assessment criteria are not yet met, tutors may request:
amendments;
additional evidence;
resubmission of work.
Certification is awarded only when all required learning outcomes have been demonstrated.
7. Academic Integrity
All submitted work must represent your own learning.
Students must not:
plagiarise published work;
copy another learner’s assessment;
falsify practical evidence;
submit work produced by another individual as their own.
Where artificial intelligence (AI) tools are used, students remain responsible for ensuring all submitted work accurately reflects their own understanding, critical thinking and application of the subject matter. AI-generated content must not replace original learning or be presented as the student’s own knowledge.
HGA reserves the right to investigate suspected academic misconduct and take appropriate action where necessary.
8. Professional Conduct
Students are expected to demonstrate professionalism throughout their studies.
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate enrolment where learners engage in:
abusive or threatening behaviour;
harassment or discrimination;
repeated inappropriate communication;
misuse of HGA resources;
copyright infringement.
9. Intellectual Property
All learning materials remain the intellectual property of The Holistic Grooming Academy.
This includes:
manuals;
workbooks;
videos;
presentations;
downloadable resources;
assessments;
graphics;
course content.
Students may use these materials solely for their own personal study.
Course materials must not be:
copied;
reproduced;
distributed;
uploaded online;
shared with others;
resold.
Professional Certification & Renewal
The HGA Behaviour Grooming Diploma is awarded as a professional certification recognising successful completion of the programme and the learner’s demonstrated knowledge at the time of assessment.
As behaviour science, welfare research and professional best practice continue to evolve, HGA certification is valid for two (2) years from the date of issue.
Maintaining certification demonstrates an ongoing commitment to professional development, reflective practice and evidence-informed learning.
Renewal Requirements
To renew your HGA Professional Certification for a further two-year period, graduates must:
Successfully complete the current HGA Certification Renewal Assessment.
Provide evidence of a minimum of 100 hours of relevant external Continuing Professional Development (CPD)completed during the previous certification period.
Submit all renewal documentation before the certification expiry date or within the permitted renewal grace period.
Pay the applicable certification renewal fee.
Relevant CPD may include professional conferences, webinars, workshops, accredited courses, veterinary education, behaviour education, welfare training or other learning that supports continued professional competence.
HGA reserves the right to determine whether submitted CPD is appropriate and may request additional evidence where necessary.
Certification Renewal Assessment
The renewal assessment is designed to demonstrate continued professional understanding and ensure graduates remain familiar with current best practice, developments within the Applied Behaviour and Welfare Grooming Framework (ABWGF), and any significant updates made to the Behaviour Grooming Diploma.
The format of the renewal assessment may change over time to reflect developments in the curriculum and professional standards.
Renewal Grace Period
Graduates have a three (3) month grace period following the expiry of their certification to complete the renewal process.
During this period, certification will be regarded as expired and graduates must not present themselves as holding a current HGA Professional Certification until renewal has been successfully completed.
Lapsed Certification
If a graduate has not successfully completed the renewal process within three (3) months of their certification expiry date, their certification will be considered lapsed.
To regain HGA Professional Certification after this point, the individual will be required to:
Re-enrol onto the current version of the Behaviour Grooming Diploma.
Successfully complete all programme requirements applicable at the time of re-enrolment.
Pay the current course fees.
This policy ensures that all certified graduates meet the same contemporary educational standards and reflects HGA’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and credibility of its professional certification.
Continuing Professional Development
HGA believes that professional education should not end with certification.
Graduates are encouraged to actively engage in lifelong learning by attending courses, conferences, webinars, workshops, reading current literature and participating in other recognised professional development opportunities.
The requirement to complete 100 hours of external CPD every two years reflects HGA’s commitment to promoting reflective practice, professional growth and continual improvement in behaviour-led, welfare-focused grooming.
Use of the HGA Behaviour Grooming Specialist Title
Upon successful completion of the Behaviour Grooming Diploma, graduates will be awarded the professional title:
HGA Behaviour Grooming Specialist
This title recognises successful completion of the HGA Behaviour Grooming Diploma and demonstrates a commitment to behaviour-led, welfare-focused professional practice.
The title may only be used whilst the graduate holds a current and valid HGA Professional Certification.
Graduates whose certification has expired or lapsed must not:
Represent themselves as an HGA Behaviour Grooming Specialist.
Use HGA certification logos, digital badges or branding associated with current certification.
State or imply that they currently hold an active HGA certification until the renewal process has been successfully completed.
Following successful renewal, graduates may once again use the title HGA Behaviour Grooming Specialist for the duration of their renewed certification period.
HGA reserves the right to withdraw permission to use the title where certification has lapsed or where a graduate is found to have breached these Student Terms and Conditions or the HGA Code of Ethics.
11. Extensions & Deferrals
Students experiencing exceptional personal circumstances should contact HGA as soon as possible.
Where appropriate, reasonable extensions or temporary deferrals may be considered at HGA’s discretion.
Additional fees may apply for extended access beyond the standard enrolment period.
12. Course Updates
HGA continually reviews and updates its educational content.
During your enrolment, learning materials may be revised to reflect:
emerging research;
new evidence;
improved educational resources;
developments within the Applied Behaviour and Welfare Grooming Framework.
These updates are intended to enhance the learning experience.
13. Limitation of Liability
HGA provides education and professional certification.
Completion of a programme does not guarantee employment, business success or specific professional outcomes.
Students remain responsible for ensuring they comply with all relevant legislation, insurance requirements and professional obligations applicable to their work.
Nothing within these Terms limits any rights you may have under applicable consumer law.
14. Contact
The Holistic Grooming Academy
Website: www.holisticgroomingacademy.com