Education agents act as a bridge between universities and various regional markets of international students. Aside from that, they provide crucial cultural awareness to both institutions and students.
The best way to become one is by joining an education agency or network that already has partnerships with various institutions in the UK. This way, you get maximum industry exposure to the UK education sector. The potential to earn more is also higher. The exposure you get includes having access to and partnering with a lot of institutions in the UK.
Key Takeaways:
- Half of the international students in the UK in 2018/2019 are recruited by education agents.
- To become an education agent in the UK, you need to be transparent, conduct yourself with integrity, resourceful, and knowledgeable about the UK’s education system
- As an education agent in the UK, you get access to a lot of free materials about the UK education sector and get a high commission from recruiting students
In addition, by undergoing training courses and other professional development activities conducted by an agency, you also get crucial skills and knowledge needed for you to stand out in a competitive market like the UK international education industry.
When you partner with agencies, you get training, resources, and support, including recruitment tools that are exclusive to members of certain education agencies.
If you want to learn more and increase your chances of becoming an education agent in the UK, here are some of the things you need to know to increase your chances of becoming one.
Increasing Importance of Education Agents
Education agents have always played a big role when it comes to international education and recruitment.
For example, around half of the international students in the UK between 2018 to 2019 have used services offered by education agents. Those services include assistance to gain admission and navigating the UK’s visa and school application.
Moreover, during the pandemic, education agents’ role as a marketing channel has proved more crucial. This is because international travels are restricted, resulting in the lack or absence of face-to-face student recruitment, through fairs, and so on. Institutions have had to rely on agents and the agents’ use of online platforms to connect with students.
With the increasing importance of education agents, the UK has also come up with an initiative to maximize their use. A “UK-wide quality framework” to strengthen the relationship between education agents and higher education institutions is in effect. This initiative is part of the national strategy to increase the number of international students in the country to 600,000 annually by the year 2030.
Characteristics of Education Agents in the UK
Successful education agents in the UK have the following characteristics:
Conduct Themselves with Integrity and Transparency
The number one characteristic that is important for all education agents, no matter which country or institution they promote, is that they should always conduct themselves with integrity and transparency.
By conducting themselves with integrity, agents should:
- Not misrepresent the institutions they are recruiting for
- Abide by the rules of a country or institution
- Have the interest of students at heart
- Make sure that they provide students with up-to-date information, processes, and other aspects of studying abroad
- Promote themselves and their partner institutions fairly and without any negative comparison with other institutions
Aside from conducting themselves with integrity, they should also be transparent, especially when giving advice to students regarding their options on studying abroad.
Knowledgeable of the UK’s Education System
You cannot advise and recruit students to study in the UK and its institutions without sufficient knowledge about its education sector and system of education.
Thus, it is important that you know the ins and outs of UK education, from its qualification levels, institutions, and programs, to government processes such as student visa application and travel regulations.
Resourceful
Agents use a variety of tools and platforms when looking for resources, promoting institutions, and recruiting students. You cannot stick to just one method of recruitment; otherwise, you will be left behind by other agents.
For example, instead of just relying on fairs, you can also use social media, video conferencing, and so on. There are also situations when talking to potential students face-to-face works better than online recruitment or vice-versa. Thus, it helps to have different platforms with which to recruit.
Skilled and Well-Trained
Education agents in the UK also need to be skilled and trained in all aspects of student recruitment. This is why many agents take every opportunity to undergo training. Agent training courses allow agents to have greater expertise in recruiting and advising students. Some of the things agents learn through these training, seminars, and workshops include the following:
- Information about specific institutions (degree and course offerings, their facilities, campus life, history, and so on)
- Visa requirements and application process
- Admission requirements and process of application
- Changes and developments in the UK’s education industry
- Ethical standards and industry best practices
Training through workshops and seminars increases an agent’s profile and qualification, making it easier for students to trust you to help them. Also, it can help boost your reputation as an education agent.
Advantages of Being a University Agent in the UK
Here are some of the advantages of being a university agent in the UK.
You Get Access to a Wide Variety of Materials
The first one is that you get access to a lot of useful materials, especially online. Aside from the national government, there are also other organizations offering free resources about the UK and its education sector that are all useful for education agents.
One place you can get a lot of information from is the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA). You can also check out the British Council, which offers a free Tool Kit for Education Agents in the UK.
High Commissions
Commission payment per institution in the UK varies depending on the institution, market, or agent. According to Inside Higher Ed, British institutions have been spending a lot on education agents. Between 2013 to 2014, an education agent received a commission of £1,767 per recruited student.
Many institutions consider partnering with agents to be the most cost-effective method of student recruitment, especially when they may not have the budget or human resources to cover multiple countries. Through education agents, institutions are able to make their campuses more culturally diverse. This allows students to learn from others with different perspectives and worldviews, providing them with a richer student experience.
This is why institutions put a lot of value on agents and why being an education agent can become a lucrative career.
International student recruitment is continually evolving and becoming more competitive. If you want to become an education agent in the UK, you must be prepared to face the challenges that come your way. Equip yourself with the right information, tools, and partnerships by signing up as an Abcodo agent now.
