Agent Quality Framework
AQF
The Agent Quality Framework (AQF) is a set of tools to enhance the experience of international students working with education agents and counsellors to apply to study in the UK. The AQF is designed to ensure agents and counsellors have the right knowledge of the UK as a study destination and understand the integrity of the UK visa and immigration system, in order to uphold the UK’s reputation as a world-class study destination. The AQF promotes 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.
We support the UK Agent Quality Framework. If you haven’t done it already, we encourage our agents to attend the free training sessions organised by the British Council. The framework is designed to enhance the partnership between the UK education sector and agents and counsellors and to recognise and share best practice. Completing the training also means being added to the British Council database of certified agents and counsellors.
You can find more information with relevant links on the website:
https://www.britishcouncil.org/education/agents-counsellors/uk-quality-agent-framework
There are eight parts to the AQF
- A Student and Parent Guide to Choosing an Education Agent – a guide supporting students and their parents on what they should look for when selecting an agent, including links to the National Code of Ethical Practice for Education Agents.
- The National Code of Ethical Practice for Education Agents – a code of practice setting out the standards and best practice that education agents and agent aggregators, brokers and marketplaces (Digital Agent Networks) representing UK education providers on the register of licensed student sponsors must adhere to.
- The Good Practice Guide for Providers using Education Agents – a guide to education agent management best practice for UK education providers on the register of licensed student sponsors. The information in the guide allows providers new and established to international recruitment to use it as a step-by-step guide, minimising their risk and embedding resource-efficient processes.
- The Good Practice Guide for UK Education Agents Partnering for Quality – a guide enabling all agents and representatives partnering with UK providers on the register of licensed student sponsors to deliver high quality applicant experiences.
- The Agent Quality Framework Pledge – a pledge enabling UK education providers on the register of licensed student sponsors to demonstrate their commitment to the AQF.
- British Council UK certified counsellor training – British Council training providing agents and counsellors with knowledge and awareness of the UK as a study destination, which certifies them through assessments.
- British Council UK agent and counsellor training and engagement hub – the hub includes all the information that agents and counsellors need when serving UK-bound international students.
- British Council database of certified counsellors – students and parents can access a public-facing database of certified counsellors who have passed the training.
We encourage all our agents to:
- Adhere to the National Code of Ethical Practice, which will require the completion of British Council UK Agent and Counsellor training. Provide proof of completion.
- Promote the Student Guide to Choosing an Education Agent on their website.
- Be transparent around the use of sub-agents. Endorsement of the National Code of Ethical Practice and engagement with an appropriate UK Credited training programme also applies to any sub-agent partners working with them.
FAQs:
Am I allowed to use sub agents?
Yes, the AQF allows the use of sub-agents, but it emphasises transparency, oversight, and responsibility. As a lead agent or agency:
- You are accountable for the actions of any sub-agents working under your agreement.
- All sub-agents must also adhere to the National Code of Ethical Practice for UK Education Agents.
- We may request full disclosure of your sub-agent network.
- It’s good practice to vet, train, and regularly review sub-agents’ performance.
What is an appropriate UK Credited training programme?
British Council Education Agent and Counsellor Training & Assessment
- Covers UK education system, visa process, ethical standards.
- Successful candidates receive a certificate and appear in the certified counsellor database.
If you have a certificate from another UK accredited organisation, please get in touch with us.
How many counsellors need to have undertaken British Council Education Agent Training Programme?
We encourage all UK focused education agent counselling staff to have completed the British Council Education Agent Training Programme.
Do I need to provide my British Council certificate?
Yes, as part of our onboarding process, we require the copy of your certificate(s).
How do I ensure my information about CGS schools is up to date?
To ensure accurate and current information about CGS schools:
- Regularly check the official CGS school websites and social media.
- Maintain close contact with your designated CGS regional representative.
- Subscribe to CGS school newsletters, updates, and webinars.
