You have found a course date that works. The booking page asks for a deposit, or for the full fee, or for a booking fee on top. A small voice in your head asks: what exactly am I paying for, and what happens to my money if my plans change?
It is a smart question. Deposits are normal in training, and most providers use them fairly. But unclear terms can lead to disputes, lost money and bad feeling. In this guide, we explain in plain English what a deposit for an Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course in London should and should not cover, what your rights usually are and how to protect yourself before you pay. This is general information, not legal advice. If you want to see a real course page as you read, here is the Emergency First Aid at Work course in London.
The Short Answer
A fair deposit should do two things. It should secure your place on a specific date, and it should cover the provider’s genuine costs if you cancel late or do not turn up. It should not be a hidden extra fee, a penalty, a way to keep your money if the provider cancels or something that turns into a surprise bill.
UK consumer rules are on your side here. If you are an individual who arranged the course online, by phone or by mail order, you generally get a 14 day cooling off period and can cancel for any reason during that time. After that, the provider can usually only keep an amount that reasonably matches its actual losses.
What Is a Deposit, and How Is It Different from Other Payments?
The words providers use are not always the same, so it helps to know the terms.
- Deposit. A part payment made to secure your booking. The rest is paid later, often before or on the day.
- Full payment upfront. The whole course fee is paid when you book. Many providers prefer this for short courses.
- Booking fee. An extra charge added to cover the cost of processing the booking. It may or may not be refundable, so check.
- Cancellation or admin fee. A charge that applies if you cancel, to cover costs such as time and certificate registration.
Before you pay, make sure you know which of these applies. A deposit on top of a booking fee on top of a certificate fee can add up quickly.
Why Providers Ask for Deposits
There are honest reasons for deposits. When a provider confirms your place, it commits real resources.
- Trainer time. A qualified trainer is booked for the day.
- Venue. A room may be hired, sometimes with a cancellation penalty of its own.
- Equipment and supplies. Manikins, training defibrillators, dressings and gloves are prepared.
- Registration. Learners may be registered with an awarding organisation before the course.
- A full class. If someone drops out late, it can be hard to fill the place.
A small deposit protects the provider from last minute no shows, and it keeps prices lower for everyone, because the provider does not have to cover empty seats.
What a Deposit Should Cover
A fair deposit should cover these things.
1. Reserving your seat
The deposit secures your place on a named date and venue. You should receive a confirmation that clearly says which course, date, time and location you have booked.
2. Part of the course fee
A deposit should normally count towards the total price, not be an extra on top. If the deposit is separate from the fee, the provider should say so clearly.
3. The provider’s genuine costs if you cancel late
If you cancel close to the date, the provider may have lost the chance to fill your place or may already have paid for things. A fair policy allows the provider to keep an amount that reasonably matches that loss.
4. A clear route to the balance
The provider should tell you how much remains, when it is due and how to pay.
What a Deposit Should NOT Cover
These are the things that should make you pause.
1. A hidden extra fee
If the deposit is described as refundable but is later treated as a non refundable booking fee, that is unclear. The terms should be plain before you pay.
2. Everything if the provider cancels or moves the course
If the provider cancels the course, changes the date in a way that does not suit you or fails to deliver what was promised, you should be able to get your deposit back or move to another date. A deposit is not a reward for the provider’s own changes.
3. A penalty bigger than the loss
Official guidance says that a business is generally only entitled to keep or receive an amount sufficient to cover its actual losses that directly result from your cancellation, and that a cancellation charge must be a genuine estimate of the business’s direct loss. A charge is not fair just because it is in the contract.
4. Fees for things that do not exist
You should not pay a deposit or fee for a certificate, materials or lunch that are not part of the course, or that are already included in the main price.
5. Your cooling off rights
A deposit should not be used to take away rights you have by law. If you are a consumer, a term that tries to remove your 14 day right to cancel in a way the law does not allow would be a problem.
6. A second payment for the same thing
If the deposit is part of the fee, you should not pay the full fee again on top.
Your Cooling Off Rights
If you are booking as an individual, and you arrange the course online, by phone or by mail order, you normally get a 14 day cooling off period. According to consumer advice, your cooling off period starts the day after you enter the contract, and during the 14 days you can cancel for any reason and get your money back. If you paid up front or made a deposit and cancel within the cooling off period, you are entitled to receive all the money back.
There are some wrinkles to know about.
- If the course starts inside the 14 days. This is common with short notice bookings. If the course starts within the cooling off period, you may lose the right to cancel once the service has been fully provided, or the provider may charge a proportionate amount if you cancel part way through. A one day course that you attend within the 14 days is normally fully delivered, so the right to cancel would no longer apply once you have attended.
- If you booked in person. If you arranged the service by going into the provider’s premises, the cooling off period does not usually apply.
- If you are booking for a business. The consumer cooling off rules are designed for individuals, not for businesses buying training. If you are an employer booking staff, your protection comes mainly from the provider’s booking terms, so read them carefully.
These rules can have exceptions and details, so if your case is complicated, check with Citizens Advice or a legal adviser.
What About Cancelling After the Cooling Off Period?
After the cooling off period, your options depend on the provider’s terms and the law on fair terms. Here is what a fair policy might look like.
- Cancel well in advance. A full refund, or a refund minus a small admin charge.
- Cancel closer to the date. A partial refund, or a credit towards another date.
- Cancel at the last minute or do not attend. The provider may keep some or all of the deposit or fee, to reflect its real loss.
- Transfer to another date or another person. Many providers allow a change at no or low cost, within sensible limits.
- Illness or genuine emergency. A good provider will usually try to be flexible.
Check the cancellation policy before you pay, and take a screenshot or copy of it.
An Illustration: How a Fair Policy Might Work
Here is a simple example. The numbers are invented to show the idea. They are not the terms of any particular provider.
Suppose a course costs £89, and the provider asks for a deposit of £20 to secure the place, with the balance due a week before the course.
- You cancel two weeks before. The provider refunds your deposit in full, or moves you to another date for free.
- You cancel three days before. The provider may keep the £20 deposit to cover the empty place, and refund anything else you have paid.
- You do not turn up. The provider may keep the deposit, and reasonably may ask for more only if its terms clearly say so and the loss is genuine.
- The provider cancels the course. You get all your money back, or a place on another date that suits you.
That is a fair, balanced pattern. What would not be fair is a policy that says the deposit is never refundable in any circumstances, even if the provider cancels.
How Group and Employer Bookings Differ
If you are booking several staff, the rules can look different. Providers may ask for a larger deposit, because losing a whole group is a bigger loss. They may also have specific terms for training at your workplace, such as notice periods and minimum numbers.
For employers, it is worth asking:
- What notice do we need to give to move the date?
- Can we swap one attendee for another at no cost?
- What happens if one person cannot attend?
- What happens if you, the provider, have to cancel?
- Is the group rate fixed once we book? One provider page, linked above, lists £75 per person for groups of five or more, compared with £89 for an individual, at the time of writing in October 2026.
Get the answers in writing.
How to Pay Safely
The way you pay can add protection.
- Credit card. For purchases above a certain value, paying by credit card can give you extra legal protection if something goes wrong. The details depend on the amount and the circumstances, so check with your card provider.
- Debit card. Some debit card payments can be disputed through the chargeback process. Check with your bank.
- Bank transfer. This gives you fewer routes to recover your money, so take extra care, especially with a new provider.
- Keep proof. Save the confirmation email, the terms and the receipt.
Also check that the provider is real. Look for a physical address or clear contact details, recent reviews and a named awarding organisation.
Questions to Ask Before You Pay a Deposit
Bring this list when you book.
- How much is the deposit, and is it part of the total fee?
- Is there any other fee, such as a booking fee, certificate fee or VAT?
- When is the balance due?
- What is the cancellation policy, and what happens at different notice periods?
- Is the deposit refundable, and in what circumstances?
- What happens if you cancel or move the course?
- Can I move to another date or send a colleague instead?
- Is there a free resit if I need one? One provider page says resit opportunities are available at no extra cost, but terms can change, so always confirm.
- When will I receive my certificate?
- Can you put all of this in writing?
You can review the Emergency First Aid at Work training page to see how one provider presents its price and booking options, and use the same list to check any other provider.
Red Flags in Deposit Terms
Watch out for these warning signs.
- No written terms. If you cannot see the cancellation policy before paying, ask for it.
- A deposit that is not refundable in any circumstances. Even if the provider cancels.
- A deposit far larger than needed. A very high deposit for a one day course deserves a question.
- Pressure to pay immediately. Real providers will give you time to read the terms.
- Payment only by unusual methods. Be careful if you are asked to pay by a method that gives you no protection.
- Vague or missing course details. You should know the date, venue, qualification and awarding organisation.
- A claim that the course is HSE approved. HSE stopped approving first aid training providers in 2013.
- A guaranteed pass. Real assessment checks real skills.
What You Should Be Getting for Your Money
Whatever the deposit, the course itself should meet a proper standard. A regulated Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (RQF) is a one day course that includes at least six hours of training time, not counting breaks, according to HSE guidance. It should include practical training and in person assessment. You learn how to assess an incident safely, give adult CPR, use an AED, place someone in the recovery position, help a choking adult, control serious bleeding, manage shock and treat minor injuries. The certificate is valid for three years.
A Note for Employers
Deposits are one part of booking training for your team. The bigger question is how many first aiders you need. As a starting point for low hazard workplaces, HSE suggests at least one appointed person for fewer than 25 employees, at least one first aider trained in Emergency First Aid at Work for 25 to 50 employees, and at least one first aider trained in First Aid at Work for every 100 employees above that, or part of 100. Higher hazard workplaces need more. A first aid needs assessment gives the best answer. Under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, employers must provide adequate and appropriate first aid for their employees.
What If There Is a Dispute?
If you think a provider is keeping too much of your deposit, here are sensible steps.
- Check the terms. Read what you agreed to.
- Write to the provider. Explain the situation calmly, set out what you think is fair and ask for a response by a set date.
- Keep records. Save emails, screenshots and receipts.
- Try to negotiate. Many disputes are settled with a partial refund or a transfer to another date.
- Ask for advice. Citizens Advice and other consumer services can explain your rights.
- Consider your payment method. Ask your card provider whether you can raise a dispute.
Being polite and specific usually works best.
Why London Gives You Choice
London has a very large number of training providers, venues and dates, so you can usually compare deposit and cancellation terms before you commit. Many providers also deliver training at your workplace, which may come with its own terms. With so many options, it pays to choose one with clear, fair terms, not just the lowest price.
Final Thoughts
So, what should a deposit for a first aid course in London cover? It should reserve your place, count towards the course fee and protect the provider from genuine loss if you cancel late. It should not be a hidden extra, a penalty larger than the loss or a way to keep your money if the provider cancels. If you booked as an individual online or by phone, you usually have a 14 day cooling off period, and any deposit can generally be reclaimed if you cancel in that time.
Read the terms, ask the questions and keep everything in writing. When you are ready, take a look at the Emergency First Aid at Work course in London and choose a date that suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a deposit on a first aid course?
A deposit is a part payment that secures your place on a specific course date. It normally counts towards the total fee, with the balance paid later. Always check whether it is refundable and under what conditions.
2. Can I get my deposit back if I cancel a first aid course?
It depends on when you cancel and the provider’s terms. If you booked as an individual online, by phone or by mail order and cancel within the 14 day cooling off period, you are generally entitled to all of your money back. After that, the provider can usually only keep an amount that reasonably matches its actual losses.
3. Is there a cooling off period when I book a course online?
For individuals who arrange a service online, by phone or by mail order, there is normally a 14 day cooling off period that starts the day after you enter the contract. If the course takes place within that period, the right to cancel may be lost or reduced.
4. What if the provider cancels the course?
You should be able to get your deposit and any other payment back, or move to another date that suits you. A deposit should not be kept if the provider fails to deliver the course.
5. Can a provider keep my whole deposit if I do not turn up?
Possibly, if the terms are clear and fair. Official guidance says a business is generally only entitled to keep an amount sufficient to cover its actual losses from the cancellation, and cancellation charges must be a genuine estimate of that loss.
6. Is a booking fee the same as a deposit?
No. A deposit is part of the course fee, whereas a booking fee is usually an extra charge for processing. Check whether the booking fee is refundable, and make sure the total price is clear.
7. Do the consumer rules apply if my employer books the course?
Consumer cooling off rules are designed for individuals, not businesses. If an employer books training, protection comes mainly from the provider’s booking terms, so read them carefully and ask for important points in writing.
8. Can I send a colleague instead if I cannot attend?
Many providers allow a change of attendee, often at no or low cost, within sensible limits. Ask before you book, and confirm in writing.
9. What is a fair deposit for a one day first aid course?
There is no fixed rule. A small deposit to secure the place, which counts towards the fee and is refundable with reasonable notice, is common. Be careful of very large, non refundable deposits with unclear terms.
10. Where can I book an Emergency First Aid at Work course in London?
You can book through a training provider that offers the regulated qualification, either as a public course or as training at your workplace. Check the total price, the deposit and cancellation terms, what is included and the awarding organisation before you book.
