The UK Agent Quality Framework (AQF)
UCAS supports the standardisation of information shared with international students by education agents and counsellors, who can be used to support students and parents in making important decisions about their study options.
The UK Agent Quality Framework (AQF) is a set of tools to enhance the experience of international students working with education agents and counsellors to apply to study in the UK.
The AQF is designed to ensure agents and counsellors have the right knowledge of the UK as a study destination and understand the integrity of the UK visa and immigration system, in order to uphold the UK’s reputation as a world-class study destination. The AQF promotes four key principles:
- 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.
More information can be found on the British Council website.
International students should follow the student and parent guide. Individual agents on this database receive a certificate and a ‘I am a UK Certified Counsellor’ digital badge, which they can use to demonstrate their knowledge and awareness of the UK as a study destination.
Alongside the AQF, all advisers working with UCAS are encouraged to become a UCAS Registered Centre if they're not one currently and are consistently sending students to the UK through UCAS.
We would also encourage all advisers to read our adviser pages. If you feel that you still require additional training specifically on UCAS processes after completing the AQF, we encourage all Registered Centres to access the PDP and adviser guide. We also offer bespoke charged for training opportunities to enhance and support your knowledge.