Resources for Student sponsors

The resources are intended for education providers on the register of licensed Student sponsors, international student recruitment agents and students.

The Agent Quality Framework commitment
The AQF commitment sets out the core AQF actions and behaviours that licensed Student sponsors must commit to. The commitment is based on the AQF pledge and enables sponsors to understand and demonstrate their commitment to maintaining high standards in education agent management.
The good practice guide for providers using education agents
A step-by-step guide on education agent management best practice. It supports sponsors, whether new to or experienced in international student recruitment, to minimise risk and embed resource-efficient processes.
The good practice guide for UK education agents partnering for quality
A best practice guide for education agents and representatives partnering with UK education providers. Student sponsors can use this guide to support their agents in delivering high-quality applicant experiences.
Agent and counsellor training
Agent and counsellor training is a key part of the AQF, promoting ethical practice, professional knowledge and competency. Sponsors must ensure their contracted international student recruitment agents and counsellors complete appropriate sector-endorsed training focusing on the national code of ethical practice for education agents.
British Council UK knowledge agent and counsellor training
 The British Council provides online agent and counsellor training to improve understanding of the UK as a study destination, to which sponsors can direct their agents and counsellors. This training does not constitute formal accreditation but those who successfully complete it have their knowledge recognised and receive a certificate of completion that is valid for two years.
BSA Certified Agent Scheme
The Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) and British Association of Independent Schools with International Students (BAISIS) provide online agent, consultant and counsellor training, designed to improve understanding of the UK primary and secondary school system and of the UK as a study destination.
This training does not constitute formal accreditation but those who successfully complete BSA/BAISIS training have their knowledge recognised and receive a certificate of completion that is valid for two years. Agents that have completed BSA/BAISIS training will also be published on the BSA website.
British Council UK agent and counsellor training and engagement hub
The hub provides agents and counsellors with access to the latest news and developments from the UK education sector, as well as a global calendar of in-person and online events. Student sponsors can signpost agents and counsellors to the hub to support ongoing professional development and sector engagement.
British Council database of UK knowledge trained counsellors
This publicly accessible database displays details of agents and counsellors who have successfully completed the training and assessments, supporting Student sponsors’ due diligence and agent oversight processes.
British Council agency management course
This course is designed to underpin the AQF by providing major agencies, their leaders and compliance managers with knowledge and understanding of the framework and its principles, enabling them to build the code of ethical practice into their day-to-day work. Student sponsors may encourage partner agencies to complete this course to strengthen compliance with AQF expectations.
A student and parent guide to choosing an education agent
The guide provides students and their families with practical advice on considering using or selecting an education agent or counsellor and highlights the national code of ethical practice for UK education agents as an important benchmark. Sponsors can signpost students and parents to this guide to support informed decision-making and reinforce expectations around ethical practice.