Complaint Review: StudyGroup - Egham Surrey

My time at StudyGroup while pursuing a degree during the [Redacted for my privacy] year was plagued by a myriad of distressing incidents that exposed the institution's gross incompetence and unwarranted intrusion into students' lives. This very condensed account (trust me, I have 160 pages of screenshots, paperwork and a lot of other evidence of their incompetence on them) aims to shed some light on the disrespect and s*** treatment I faced, from management turmoil to questionable practices, impacting the overall quality of education and student well-being.

1. Online presence:

StudyGroup's discovery of my GitHub repositories and YouTube channel turned into a direct assault on my interests. Despite the legitimacy of my security research tools and the fact that my YouTube channel served as my primary source of legitimate income, StudyGroup demanded their removal, showing a lack of understanding and respect for students' individual pursuits. I refused. Those are my profiles that I do whatever I want with with, and only I can decide what I do

2. Prolonged Student ID Card Process:

Obtaining a student ID card through StudyGroup became a two-week ordeal due to their insistence on managing the process and not allowing direct access to student services. This inefficient approach wasted precious time and showcased StudyGroup's inability to streamline essential administrative tasks.

3. Malware-Infested Exam Software:

StudyGroup uses WiseFlow, and I have reverse engineered it in a secure sandbox, only to find it connects to servers in China, gets full control of a users system and hooks into a lot places it should not and only took me 40 minutes do defeat. Too intrusive and a security theater. I refused this turd to come near any of my personal devices, plus as a ArchLinux user I cannot use it.

4. Incompetent Tutors and Misconduct:

Several tutors displayed incompetence in their teaching methods and exhibited a lack of support for students. Moreover, one tutor engaged in misconduct, actively setting students up for failure and demonstrating a clear bias that affected their academic performance.

5. Unfair Treatment and Double Standards:

StudyGroup applied double standards in various aspects, particularly during exams. While some students were allowed remote retakes, others, including myself, were denied the same opportunity, signaling an unfair and unequal treatment of students. No reasons given. In addition, asian students were allowed to use their own languages on campus while me and other students of my nationality have had action taken against due to us using Polish language on campus. Yet after that they accused me and multiple others of racism.

6. Flawed Curriculum and Overcharging:

StudyGroup's curriculum appeared hastily patched together, lacking coherence and proper organization. Additionally, the institution overcharged students, hiding fees that contributed to an already burdensome financial strain. In addition they held my deposit for no reason and I am still arguing with them to get it back.

7. Lack of Communication and Reporting Mechanisms:

StudyGroup exhibited a disheartening lack of communication, often neglecting to inform students about schedule changes or timetables. Furthermore, the absence of proper reporting mechanisms for student/staff grievances left individuals feeling unheard and unsupported.

8. Privacy Invasion and Restrictive Policies:

StudyGroup's agreement and policies contained clauses that infringe upon students' privacy rights, granting them the authority to search students' devices at any time. These intrusive measures hindered students' sense of autonomy and trust in the institution.

This has been nothing but a waste of time, money and sanity. The institution's incompetence, intrusion, and disregard for students' rights and interests are deeply concerning. StudyGroup must take immediate and decisive action to address these issues, prioritize student welfare, and create an inclusive and respectful learning environment. The institution's future lies in fostering competence, empathy, and open communication, ensuring that students receive the quality education they deserve. Only through significant improvements and reforms can StudyGroup rebuild the trust and confidence of its students.

Yours,

Anon