The Agent Quality Framework (AQF) is a sector-wide initiative that sets standards and provides training and resources to enhance the experience of international students applying to the UK. The AQF applies to all UK education providers on the register of licensed student sponsors who work with international student recruitment agents.
The Agent Quality Framework recognises the critical role that agents and counsellors play in attracting and supporting international students who choose to study in the UK. It provides a suite of accessible resources to equip education providers, agents, and students with reliable information about the UK as a study destination. At its core is a commitment to building and maintaining high-quality, trusted partnerships throughout the international student recruitment journey.
IHE represents the most diverse range of higher education providers in the UK - from specialist institutions and pathway providers to colleges and universities - each offering distinctive educational experiences to students from the UK and around the world.
Organisational size can shape how policies and processes are implemented in practice. While many IHE Members are small, others operate at a larger scale with higher student numbers and more extensive international recruitment networks. Some focus primarily on recruiting international students into programmes delivered by UK universities or partners, helping learners find the right pathway to succeed in UK higher education.
Because of this diversity, IHE Members may implement the AQF in different ways, reflecting their institutional model, scale and recruitment approach. Their practices may also evolve as their work with international recruitment agents grows.
Despite these differences, IHE Members share a commitment to the AQF's core principles:
Members recognise that these principles underpin robust quality assurance in the relationships between providers and recruitment agents and help ensure that international students can make informed choices when considering study in the UK.
To demonstrate alignment with the AQF, IHE Members commit to delivering the actions set out in the Agent Quality Pledge:
Through these actions, IHE Members demonstrate their commitment to high standards, ethical recruitment, and transparency in their partnerships with agents who support prospective students.
