INTO strengthens commitment to excellence through UK Agent Quality Framework and ICEF Agency Status
(LONDON): INTO University Partnerships has started implementing the UK Agent Quality Frame (AQF) designed to establish the gold standard for transparency, compliance, and best practices in agent management for international student recruitment.
The international education services provider signed the UK AQF pledge in February earlier this year as part of its ongoing commitment to uphold the highest standards in international student recruitment across all destination countries, including the UK, US, and Australia.
The organisation has started rolling out a comprehensive program in a phased manner to meet the pledge across its entire operations worldwide.
John Sykes, INTO’s CEO, said: "Our commitment to the UK Agent Quality Framework underscores our dedication to upholding the highest standards in international student recruitment. This great initiative will empower student choice and promote informed decision-making. By integrating ethical practices, rigorous training, and transparent processes across our global operations, we are not only supporting our students and partners but also reinforcing our shared vision of quality and integrity in global education.”
Phased approach to achieving the gold standard
Phase 1: Ethical Counselling Training Module
INTO has successfully developed and launched an in-house Ethical Counselling training module. This module is aligned with the National Code of Ethical Practice for UK Education Agents and is designed to set standards for sales and recruitment teams and reinforce our commitment to ethical practices within international student recruitment. By the end of June, 100% of INTO’s global sales and recruitment staff had completed this training, achieving the required standard. INTO has also made this training module available to its university partners and their teams, as its relevance spans all study destinations.
Phase 2: Collaboration with ICEF
INTO has partnered with ICEF to further elevate standards across its network. Through a targeted campaign reaching over 600 recruitment partners, INTO is encouraging agents in its network to enrol in ICEF’s global accreditation program and achieve ICEF Agency Status (IAS). This initiative is a significant step in ensuring that INTO’s network operates with the highest levels of professionalism and accountability.
Phase 3: Independent Audit of AQF Compliance
In the first half of 2025, INTO will undergo an independent audit to assess its adherence to the AQF, solidifying the company’s commitment to integrity and excellence in recruitment practices.
Commitment to transformation and excellence
“INTO is proud of the transformational experiences we provide to our students and university partners. Our ongoing efforts to match students with the best possible study destinations demonstrate our commitment to delivering outcomes that meet their aspirations. As a learning organisation, we are dedicated to equipping our staff and partners with the tools and guidance necessary to excel in their roles and remain leaders in the education sector,” said Mr Sykes.
For more information about the UK Agent Quality Framework, please visit the British Council website here.