UK Agent Quality Framework Universities' Pledge
Pledge shows UK unity for Agent Quality Framework
The UK Higher Education sector’s commitment to the UK Agent Quality Framework (AQF) and the National Code of Ethical Practice has been demonstrated today at the BUILA winter conference. A group of universities have signed a formal pledge to follow the UK AQF, a charter that has been designed to promote shared best practice in agent management including robust training and standardised processes. The show of unity comes at a significant time for the sector as global enrolment swings are creating recruitment challenges for universities following a period of significant growth. Sarah Chidgey, Head of International Education at the Department for Business and Trade, said “the UK’s world-class higher education sector is a key driver for economic growth and we are delighted that the sector is united in promoting the highest standards of selection and management of recruitment partners overseas.” There are 28 early signatories to the pledge including Durham University, Ulster University, University of East Anglia, University of Bangor and University of Edinburgh, representing the breadth of the British sector and devolved governments.
Shane Collins, Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions at the University of Edinburgh echoed the importance of showing strength and unity in the sector, saying “in signing up to the Agent Quality Framework and National Code of Ethical Practice UK universities demonstrate their commitment to working together to ensure a positive and proactive approach in supporting and managing informed relationships with international agents.”
“Agents play a key role in advising and informing applicants who wish to study in the UK” Collins continued.
“We take our collective responsibility to ensure accurate information, advice and guidance is available to all applicants and enquirers very seriously – this is an important step in both developing and communicating this commitment”. After a period of consultation, BUILA formulated a multi-stakeholder framework, designed to foster a culture of proactive self-regulation, knowledge-sharing and best practice to protect service standards for students wanting to study in the UK. Rolled out across the sector in 2023, it represents a collaborative community of institutional, agent and government stakeholders with a shared commitment to a standard charter. In addition to the pledge, the formulation of a new Agent Advisory Committee and Institutional Steering Group will mark the next phase of evolution to the framework and its adoption across the sector.
BUILA also commissioned a detailed research project into the national codes of practice for education agents used by other countries to ensure the UK approach remains relevant and effective. Clear liaison with The Home Office, Department for Education and Department for Business and Trade led through BUILA and Universities UK international (UUKi) will link UK policy to the AQF. The British Council’s investment in the UK’s training programme for agents, a key component of the framework, has successfully certified over 3000 UK recruiters from more than 90 countries worldwide in less than a year. The British Council team are now proactively targeting gaps in training for large recruiters for the UK to ensure key stakeholders have all completed the standardised certification. By signing the pledge, UK universities are agreeing to take proactive steps to create and maintain the highest standards of agent management. These include steps such as clear signposting of certified agents for student use, a formal complaints process and building the requirement for certified training and adherence to the National Code of Ethical Practice into legal contracts. Catriona McCarthy, Chair for BUILA outlined the strength of the AQF, saying “recent coverage surrounding agents has been somewhat negative and could be better balanced with a clearer understanding of the role agents play in international student recruitment and the proactive work that has been undertaken in the sector to ensure the right controls are in place. “The AQF is a collaborative, sector wide initiative, delivering the tools that both students, agents and universities need to ensure that the standards associated with UK higher education are maintained and protected. “An important next step is to now open mechanisms through which those who fail to meet the required standards can be reported and known within the sector and government.”
The Agent Quality Framework, was launched in 2023 and comprises of a free, agent and counsellor training and engagement hub created by the British Council; a Good Practice Guide for Agents & Counsellors, and a ‘Student Guide’ containing tips on what to look out for when selecting an agent; a National Code of Ethical Practice for Education Agents and the Good Practice Guide for Providers. Links:
● UK Agent and Counsellor Training and Engagement Hub
● The National Code of Ethical Practice for Education Agents
● The Good Practice Guide for Providers using Education Agents
● The Good Practice Guide for UK Education Agents Partnering for Quality
● A Student Guide to Choosing an Education Agent
The British Council’s UK Agent and Counsellor Training hub was developed in partnership with UK education sector partners, including UKCISA, UUKi, the Association of Colleges, The Council of British Independent Schools and English UK. It is free to use and upon completion, individuals receive certification of their training. For more information on the UK Agent Quality Framework, UK International Education Sector's Pledge, including how to sign the Pledge, please access the UK AQF Pledge toolkit here.
The UK International Education Sector's Pledge is a new initiative to signify unity and commitment to the AQF. Universities and other education providers that have signed the Pledge are listed below: (last updated 22 Apr 2024)
Abertay University
Aberystwyth University
Anglia Ruskin University
Arts University Bournemouth
Aston University
BIMM University
Bangor University
Bath Spa University
Birkbeck, University of London
Bournemouth University
Brunel University London
Buckinghamshire New University
Canterbury Christ Church University
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Cardiff University
City, University of London
Cranfield University
De Montfort University
Durham University
Edge Hill University
Edinburgh Napier University
Falmouth University
Glasgow Caledonian University
Glasgow School of Art
Goldsmiths University of London
Heriot-Watt University
Keele University
King’s College London
Kingston University
Lancaster University
Leeds Arts University
Leeds Beckett University
Leeds Conservatoire
Leeds Trinity University
Liverpool Hope University
Liverpool John Moores University
London Metropolitan University
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Loughborough University
Manchester Metropolitan University
Middlesex University
Newcastle University
Northeastern University London
Northumbria University
Nottingham Trent University
Oxford Brookes University
Queen Mary University of London
Queen Margaret University
Queens University Belfast
Ravensbourne University London
Regents University London
Robert Gordon University
Royal Agricultural University
Royal Holloway, University of London
Royal Veterinary College
St George’s, University of London
St Mary's University
Sheffield Hallam University
SOAS University of London
Solent University
Staffordshire University
Swansea University
Teesside University
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Manchester
The University of West London
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
Ulster University
University College Birmingham
University College London
University for the Creative Arts
University of the Arts London
University of Aberdeen
University of Bath
University of Bedfordshire
University of Birmingham
University of Bradford
University of Brighton
University of Bristol
University of Central Lancashire
University of Chester
University of Cumbria
University of Derby
University of Dundee
University of East Anglia
University of East London
University of Essex
University of Exeter
University of Glasgow
University of Gloucestershire
University of Greenwich
University of Hertfordshire
University of the Highlands and Islands
University of Huddersfield
University of Hull
University of Kent
University of Leeds
University of Leicester
University of Lincoln
University of Liverpool
University of Plymouth
University of Portsmouth
University of Northampton
University of Nottingham
University of Reading
University of Roehampton London
University of St Andrews
University of Salford
University of Sheffield
University of South Wales
University of Southampton
University of Stirling
University of Strathclyde
University of Suffolk
University of Sunderland
University of Surrey
University of Sussex
University of the West of England Bristol
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
University of Warwick
University of the West of Scotland
University of Westminster
University of Winchester
University of Wolverhampton
University of Worcester
University of York
Wrexham University
York St John University
Other Education Providers
Cambridge Education Group
Kaplan Pathways
INTO University Partnerships
Navitas
Oxford International Education Group
Study Group