Short answer. A course that bills on a recurring plan, for example every three months, needs a reminder at least every six months, the 14-day right to cancel set out before sign-up, and an online way to cancel. One-off course purchases are not subscriptions.
Course creators increasingly sell access by the month or quarter. A one-off purchase is out of scope, but a recurring learning membership is a subscription like any other.
- Cohort courses with a single payment are not subscriptions.
- A recurring membership that gives ongoing access is.
- Childcare and school-age education are excluded by Schedule 22 of the Act, so check whether your offer counts.
Worked example: Quarterly learning membership
A learner paying £90 every three months from 1 April 2027.
| Date | Notice | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 April 2027 | Full contract information | At sign-up |
| 1 April 2027 | Cooling-off notice | Cooling-off ends 15 April 2027 |
| 24 September 2027 | Six-monthly reminder | Payment of £90.00 on 1 October 2027 |
| 25 March 2028 | Six-monthly reminder | Payment of £90.00 on 1 April 2028 |
| 24 September 2028 | Six-monthly reminder | Payment of £90.00 on 1 October 2028 |
| 25 March 2029 | Six-monthly reminder | Payment of £90.00 on 1 April 2029 |
End-of-contract confirmation: Within 24 hours of an online cancellation.
Suggested checkout wording: We'll email you before renewal at least every 6 months, 5 to 10 days before the payment. You can cancel online at any time.
Timings use our suggested defaults. The law doesn't fix the number of days; you choose a window and state it at checkout.
Questions
Is a course platform covered by the school education exclusion?
The draft list excludes childcare and school education. Adult online courses are not obviously covered. Ask an adviser if unsure.
Not legal advice. If unsure, check with an adviser.