AQF: UK Quality Framework for Education Agents

BUILA is proud to be a leading sector partner of the UK Agent Quality Framework (AQF), a sector-wide initiative that provides standards, training and resources to enhance the experience of international students applying to study in the UK and to support the integrity of the UK’s student visa system. 

The AQF applies to UK education providers on the register of licensed Student sponsors who use international student recruitment agents and counsellors. It sets out the standards by which providers are expected to manage their agents and supports agents and counsellors in developing and maintaining knowledge of the UK as a world-class study destination. 

For the latest information, guidance, resources and FAQs, please visit the official UK Agent Quality Framework website. 

Visit the Official AQF Website

Student Sponsor Resources | Student Sponsor FAQs 

The AQF Supports Four Key Principles 

• Empowering student choice and enabling informed decision-making
• Ensuring good agent governance and professionalism
• Promoting ethical agent practices, professional knowledge and competency
• Increasing transparency and accountability 

• The national code of ethical practice for UK education agents 

The national code of ethical practice for UK education agents sits at the heart of the AQF. It sets out the standards and best practice expected of agents and counsellors representing UK education providers. Student sponsors are required to manage agents in line with the national code as part of their sponsor duties. 

• Resources for Student sponsors 

The official AQF website provides resources for education providers on the register of licensed Student sponsors, international student recruitment agents and students. These include the AQF commitment, good practice guides for providers and agents, the British Council UK agent and counsellor training and engagement hub, the British Council database of UK knowledge trained counsellors, the British Council agency management course, and the student and parent guide to choosing an education agent. 

• About BUILA’s role 

BUILA is part of the sector-wide steering group that oversees the AQF, working with partners across UK education to support high standards in international student recruitment and the use of education agents and counsellors.  

The AQF promotes high standards and provides training and resources, but it does not provide accreditation, licensing or ongoing assurance of individual, agency or institutional compliance. Education providers and agents remain responsible for their own activities, and students are encouraged to make informed choices. 

For more please contact [email protected]