International Education Agents
At the University of Northampton, we carefully select and appoint Education Agents in countries around the world who can provide high quality information, support, and advice to prospective students during their journey to study in the UK.
Finding an Education Agent
Choosing to study in the UK, whether with us or somewhere else, is one of the most important decisions you can make. To support with this decision, some students consider using the services of an education agent when applying to us.
Education agents provide a range of services to support you – from identifying the right university and course to guiding you through the application and enrolment process. They can also assist with visa applications, travel, and accommodation arrangements.
If you are considering using an education agent, we recommend reading the student and parent guide to choosing an education agent, — an important part of the UK Agent Quality Framework (AQF).
The guide provides you and your family with clear information and guidance on what you should look for when considering using an agent. It includes key questions to ask, signs of quality, and how to avoid poor practices. The guide also links to ‘The national code of ethical practice for UK education agents’ and the British Council’s UK database of certified counsellors.
You can find information about our appointed agents on our UON in Your Country pages and Agents Directory.
Agents are appointed by the International Recruitment Team on behalf of the University of Northampton. Every appointed agent holds a formal agreement to represent the University and must be aware of their roles and responsibilities to provide ethical and honest advice and application support to prospective students.
Agent training
Appointed agents are expected to take part in regular training and are subject to ongoing monitoring by the International Recruitment Team. Newly appointed agents must have completed British Council UK Agent and Counsellor training and be certified as having passed the assessment and agreed to the Code of Conduct.
For further guidance, please also refer to:
- British Council’s Agents and Counsellors pages
- UKCISA Code of Ethics
- QAA’s Quality Code for UK higher education.
The University of Northampton is committed to the UK Agent Quality Framework (AQF).
We have signed the Universities Pledge with the British Universities International Liaison Association (BUILA) and the British Council to help ensure the highest standards of agent management.
UON have entered a commercial arrangement with appointed agents, who understand our offering. They are contracted to support qualified prospective students to choose a course and apply to the University.
They may also help with finding accommodation, and provide support with applying for a visa, as appropriate to the prospective student’s circumstances. Agents may charge students fees for the additional services they offer. If you have any questions about these fees, email international@northampton.ac.uk.
You can choose to use other education agents if you wish, however they will lack the training and insight we provide.
If you enrol with us, we pay the education agent a commission/fee.
The University is very selective in its choice of agents, and we make a limited number of appointments.
We are not currently looking to appoint any new agents.
Unsolicited international student applications from non-appointed agents will be treated as direct applications from students and will not result in the payment of commission.
If you have any complaint, or other feedback, about one of our appointed agents, please email agents@northampton.ac.uk. Please include the name of the agent and (if applicable) your applicant ID.