Credit Cards
It is possible to "pay up front" and be protected in the UK.
Pay with a credit card - the Consumer Credit Act makes the card issuer equally liable, so the risk of losing ones cash disappears.
Even if the school want to add the card co's 2.5% it'still worth it if the hourly cost is then fixed until completion of course.
Agree very odd that they won't consider an extended payment schedule. Of course if the offer a significant discount for advance payment it would be unreasonable to expect the same discount with an extended payment schedule.
Other than that UK credit card thing do not pay up front - I got burned by an outfit in Florida in 1990 (Treasure Coast based at Stuart) took twenty years until the opportunity to complete arose - now flying out of TBPB in my own airplane every chance I get - the "missing" twenty years are a source of regret - so if you have one chanceon't risk it for a small discount off of the cost of the course.