Fine art lecturer helping a student

Education Agents

Education Agents

Discover how Buckinghamshire New University collaborates with trusted education agents to help international students apply with confidence. This page also explains what you can expect from an agent throughout your journey to BNU.

What is an agent?

A person or organisation that deals directly with prospective international students on behalf of educational institutions. They are contracted directly or indirectly to deliver a range of services to potential students and the educational institutions.

A good agent will:

  • Help you determine the right study destination for you, and to understand your course options and visa requirements.
  • Identify education providers that meet your academic, personal and financial circumstances.
  • Apply to your chosen education providers.
  • Evaluate your offers and provide guidance on admissions deadlines.
  • Gather and submit the documents you need for your visa.
  • Help you prepare to come and study in the UK.

Agents comes in many shapes and sizes. Some global organisations support students from all over the world and have physical presences in lots of countries. Other organisations may be smaller and offer remote or digital support only. Some smaller agents act as sub-agents to other larger agents that have a direct relationship with universities and colleges. 

Students at a lecture
How BNU works with agents

BNU manages a network of approved agents around the world. Each agent has undergone rigorous checks to ensure they are fit to offer advice and guidance to prospective international students.

We collect and store information about how each agent operates, the services and fees they provide to students, whether they have completed training, and which other institutions they work with. As part of the vetting process, BNU contacts at least two universities in the UK that the agent works with to gather references; this feedback helps us determine whether the agent is a good fit. We also conduct company credit checks to ensure the organisation has the capacity to enter into a lawful agreement with BNU. 

We regularly train our agents on all aspects of BNU to ensure they provide the most accurate and up-to-date advice to prospective students. We also assess their performance each year using a range of metrics. If we feel that an agent is not meeting our standards, we will end the relationship. 

We pay our approved agents a fee for successfully supporting international students through the application and enrolment process, and in many cases this fee allows the agent to offer their services to students for free. 

To find an approved BNU agent where you live, visit Your Country.

Agent Quality Framework

BNU has pledged commitment to the UK Agent Quality Framework (AQF) and expects all approved agent partners to adhere to the recommendations and guidelines it provides. In line with the National Code of Ethical Practice for UK Education Agents, we require all our agent partners to act with:

  • Integrity: being straightforward and honest in all professional and business dealings.
  • Objectivity: not allowing professional judgment to be compromised by bias or conflict of interest.
  • Professional competence and due care: maintaining professional knowledge and professional service, and acting diligently.
  • Transparency: declaring conflicts of interest to all clients, especially when service fees are charged to both the education provider and the prospective student.
  • Confidentiality: respecting and preserving the confidentiality of personal information, and not releasing such information to third parties without proper authority in-line with UK data protection legislation.
  • Professional behaviour: acting in accordance with relevant laws and regulations and dealing with clients competently, diligently and fairly; and
  • Professionalism and purpose: acting in a manner that will serve the best interests of clients and the wider society even at the expense of self-interest.
Group of students chatting in the Atrium
Female student outside the BNU sign at High Wycombe campus

How to choose an agent

There are many factors to consider when choosing an education agent, and these will vary based on your circumstances. Here are some key points to consider:

  • Does the agent have any professional accreditations or a licence to act as an agent in your country?
  • Has the agent completed national training delivered by organisations such as the British Council?
  • Does the agent charge you a fee, and is this fee refundable at any point?
  • Are there reviews of the agent online, and are they positive or negative? 

For further guidance on choosing an education agent, visit the British Council website. 

How to report an issue about an agent

If the experience you have with one of our approved education agents falls short of your expectations or the standards we have outlined on this page, please contact international@bnu.ac.uk. 

Useful resources