Our expectations
Counselling and guiding our internatonal applicants is an important responsibility, so we have high standards and expectations for our official representatives.
The University of Nottingham selects overseas representatives carefully and will only work with companies and individuals who meet our high standards of professionalism and service. The guidelines below summarise our expectations, which are outlined in more detail in our Memorandum of Understanding with appointed representatives.
For further guidance, please also refer to the British Council's guidance for agents, the UKCISA Code of Ethics and the QAA's Quality Code for UK higher education.
Our expectations for overseas representatives
Our representatives must:
- act with integrity, honesty, reliability, good faith and professionalism at all times
- provide accurate, clear and unambiguous information to students at all stages of the application process
- maintain accurate and comprehensive records of any applicants they assist
- comply with all reasonable and lawful instructions of the University
- obtain all necessary permits, licences, permissions and approvals necessary and advisable for their business in the country or countries in which they operate
- comply with all applicable laws and regulations within their countries of operation as well as any UK laws relating to their interactions with higher education providers in the UK
- establish and maintain a good working relationship with the British Council (where applicable) for the promotion of UK education and culture
- keep up-to-date information and materials on UK higher education and on the University of Nottingham
- conduct their business in accordance with the UK's Bribery Act 2010
Our representatives must not:
- make offers of admission on behalf of the University
- enter into any contract or agreement on behalf of the University
- misinform or mislead applicants, even by way of omission
- defame or inaccurately convey the reputation or interests of any higher education institutions
- allow any interests to conflict with their responsibilities towards the University
- charge any fees to applicants for counselling, applications or visa services without the prior agreement of the University of Nottingham
- disclose any confidential information (as defined by the University of Nottingham) to any third party
- assign any of their duties, as agreed with the University, to any third parties, including the provision of student accommodation
Agent Quality Framework
As an institution, we are committed to the UK Agent Quality Framework (AQF) and pledge to create and maintain the highest standards of agent management, ensuring the UK remains leading study destination for international students.
We have recently signed a pledge with the British Universities' International Liaison Association and the British Council, which declares that we are committed to:
- 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
Students can read more about working with Educational Agents in the Student Guide to Choosing an Education Agent.
All of the listed Country Representatives have provided us with evidence that they are trained by the British Council and have up to date awareness about UKVI Laws and compliance.
If you have any questions, please contact ruth.walker@nottingham.ac.uk.
Working as a University of Nottingham representative
If you are interested in working with the University of Nottingham as one of our official representatives, please contact the Agent Relations Team who will forward your enquiry to the relevant person.
Useful links for representatives