Agent Quality Framework
Our commitment to ethical student recruitment
Edify Group of Companies aligns with the UK Agent Quality Framework (AQF) — a collaborative, sector-wide initiative established to uphold the integrity and high standards of UK higher education. Launched at the 2023 British Universities' International Liaison Association (BUILA) conference, the AQF brings together UK institutions, education advisors, and government bodies around a shared ethical charter.
As a study abroad consultancy working with leading UK university partners, we are committed to ethical and effective student recruitment. This commitment reflects a requirement set by our partner institutions and reflects our own values of transparency, trust, and student-first counselling.
“The AQF is a collaborative, sector-wide initiative, delivering the tools that students, agents, and universities need to ensure that the standards associated with UK higher education are maintained and protected.”
— Catriona McCarthy, Chair, BUILA
What the AQF means for Edify and our students
Our UK university partners require us to take an active role in fostering a transparent, ethical, and student-centred recruitment process. In line with the AQF, Edify Group commits to the following:
- 1
Host the Student Guide to Choosing an Education Agent on our website.
- 2
Share the guide proactively with every student who uses our counselling services.
- 3
Ensure all student-facing staff complete the British Council's UK Education Agent and Counsellor Training, with records of certification available on request.
- 4
Deliver consistently high-quality support and guidance to protect the student experience.
Aligned with the National Code of Ethical Practice
Edify aligns its counselling, agent management, and staff training with the National Code of Ethical Practice for UK Education Agents. This code forms the foundation of the AQF and is built on five key pillars of conduct:
Expected behaviour
Act with integrity, respect local and international regulations, and represent the UK education sector positively at all times.
Ethical business practice
Present partner institutions honestly, without unfair comparisons, negative commentary, or misleading claims about courses or outcomes.
Objective advice and guidance
Provide accurate, complete, and student-centred counselling based on each learner's individual needs, goals, and circumstances.
Student-focused practice
Put students first by offering transparent, supportive, and ethical guidance throughout every stage of their study abroad journey.
Organisational competence
Maintain strong institutional knowledge and professional expertise across all student-facing counsellors and support staff.
Support resources for students and families
We encourage students and families to use the following tools and resources, which underpin the AQF and our university partners' expectations:
| Resource | Description | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Student guide to choosing an education agent | Practical advice for students selecting an education agent. We share this with all prospective and current students. | Download PDF |
| British Council education agent & counsellor training | Free, online, modular training covering UK education systems, student experience, visas, ethics, and more. Certified participants receive a digital certificate and badge. | Learn more |
| Good practice guide for UK education agents | Quality assurance framework and ethical guidance to support implementation of the National Code. | Download PDF |
| National code of ethical practice | Official standards for education agents working in UK recruitment, aligned with the London Statement. | Download PDF |
| Consumer rights guide for undergraduate students | Government guidance on student rights, complaints procedures, and transparency expectations. | View on gov.uk |
| Professional associations & networks | Membership and affiliation with reputable organisations that promote ethical international student recruitment. | BUILABritish CouncilICEF |
How we operate in line with AQF expectations
In line with AQF standards and our UK university partners' requirements, Edify maintains the following policies and practices:
| Resource or policy | Description & expectation |
|---|---|
| Training records | Maintain documentation of professional development activities, especially completion of the British Council training programme. |
| Student agreements | Clear written or digital agreements between Edify and students outlining fees, business practices, and a transparent complaints procedure. |
| Ethical sales and counselling practices | Documented in internal staff handbooks and aligned with AQF standards and the National Code of Ethical Practice. |
| Governance and document management | Policies and systems for responsible document handling, data protection, and operational governance. |
| Third-party protocols | Well-documented procedures for managing sub-agent relationships, with auditing and accountability measures in place. |
| Sub-agent training oversight | Any affiliated sub-agents must meet the same training standards, ideally through British Council certification. |
Let us help you yield your true academic potential for foreign education. To configure and discover an apt international enrolment strategy, get in touch!
- +923041111444
- info@edify.pk
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