Agents and International Representatives

The University of Stirling has signed the UK Agent Quality Framework pledge and is committed to ensuring ethical agent practice and enhanced agent governance, ensuring students have a good applicant experience.

The University works with several agents around the world and the information provided below should help you, as an applicant, understand the role of agents, what to expect if you choose to use an agent when applying and how to let us know if you are not satisfied with the service that has been provided by your agent. 

Details of agents the University has contracts with in your country can be found on our country pages. If your country is not listed, please contact international@stir.ac.uk for guidance on agents who are operating in your country.

An agent, agency or representative are a counselling service who offer advice to students about studying overseas. Applicants do not have to use an agent to apply to the University but may choose to do so. Agents work in partnership with universities to support applicants to apply for the best fit course and institution. They usually represent a portfolio of universities from the UK and other international destinations and will make recommendations to you regarding study destinations based on your career ambitions, your academic qualifications and your budget for studying overseas.

Agents can be a useful source of information, especially if you have not travelled abroad before. The University of Stirling provides dedicated training to all our contracted agents to ensure they can provide applicants with information relevant and specific to studying at Stirling. Agents can support you at all points of the application process from researching university and course options, applying to the University and through to visa applications and beyond.

You should refer to the British Council website for accredited and approved agents, there is also advice from the British Council on how to choose your agent.

An agent’s services to you should be free of charge. Agents are paid by universities for the services they provide to students. Some agents may charge fees for specific services they offer. If an agent is charging you a fee there should be clear guidance on what the fee is and exactly what that covers.

An agent should:

• be impartial and not biased towards any one institution;
• listen to what you are looking for in a study experience and should be able to match a university based on the information that you give them;
• act with honesty and integrity;
• always maintain an open communication channel with you;
• not act without your permission;
• not encourage you to do anything dishonest or morally questionable which may compromise your application or visa;
• be well informed on courses information, cost of study, scholarships and the overall study experience, or should be able to locate information when needed.

If your agent does not meet these expectations, you should inform your university via our agent complaints procedure.

You should inform the university immediately via our complaints procedure if:

• an agent encourages you to do something dishonest such as lie on an application;
• an agent pressures you into giving them money to secure your offer, accommodation or place on your chosen course;
• an agent withholds documentation about your application;
• an agent makes decisions without your consent or without informing you;
• an agent delays communication with your university;
• an agent is unable to answer basic questions about any university that they represent;
• an agent does not respond to your calls, emails and messages;
• an agent forces you to apply for or accept a university you do not wish to study with;
• an agent gives inaccurate information about study options;
• an agent acts unprofessionally or aggressively towards you;
• an agent does not provide the level of service you expect to receive.

You can complain about your agent anonymously by emailing SRAAgents@stir.ac.uk  

Please be sure to include within your email:

• your full name;
• your applicant ID number;
• your agent’s name and if appropriate, the names of any counsellors;
• a full account, preferably with dates, as to the nature of the complaint.

These will not be shared with the agent.

The University will investigate. Resolutions will depend on the nature of the complaint and may include, but are not limited to:

• a discussion with the agent about service levels and/or procedures;
• increased training for the agent;
• unlinking your application from the agent;
• issuing a formal warning to the agent accompanied by further monitoring and/or reviewing;
• in extreme circumstances, termination of an agent’s contract with University of Stirling.