Local representatives and education agents

• Choosing an education agent

  Choosing an education agent

  Students may apply to St Andrews either independently or with the support of one of our authorised representatives. Your application is assessed solely on its merit in line with our Admissions Policy; using an agent does not provide preferential treatment or influence the outcome of your application. 

  To support students in making informed choices, we encourage all applicants to read the British Council’s Student Guide to Choosing an Education Agent. This guide explains what high‑quality and ethical support looks like, how to check an agent’s credentials, and what questions to ask before engaging their services.

  You may also check whether an individual counsellor has completed UK‑accredited training through the UK database of certified counsellors, maintained by the British Council. Counsellors who have completed the training hold a digital Certified UK Counsellor badge.

  Ensuring your safety and confidence

  Your choice of agent is an important one. You should:

  • verify that your chosen representative appears on the official St Andrews list
  • review the Student Guide to Choosing an Education Agent
  • confirm whether staff are listed as certified counsellors
  • ask questions about fees, services and sub‑agents
  • contact the University if anything seems unclear or concerning

  Remember: where and what you study is always your decision. Agents can support you, but the final choices are yours. 

• What students should expect when working with an authorised representative

  What students should expect when working with an authorised representative

  When working with one of our authorised representatives, you can expect:

  • clear, accurate guidance about St Andrews and its degree programmes
  • support in understanding entry requirements, documentation, timelines and visa considerations
  • transparent and ethical behaviour throughout the process
  • confidentiality and respect for your personal circumstances
  • high‑quality, up‑to‑date knowledge of studying in the UK, supported by regular training

  Representatives are paid by the University for core application‑related services, which helps ensure that advice remains free and impartial.

  Some representatives offer additional optional services that may incur fees; these must be explained to you clearly and in advance. 

• Our expectations of education agents

  All University of St Andrews representatives must uphold the highest standards of professional behaviour. They are required to follow:

  • the standards of the UK Agent Quality Framework
  • the National Code of Ethical Practice for UK Education Agents 
  • the University’s own contractual expectations

  As part of these commitments, St Andrews requires that all representatives:

  Provide accurate, honest and impartial advice

  • Offer guidance that reflects your academic, financial and personal circumstances.
  • Present information about St Andrews accurately and transparently.
  • Never promise admission, preferential treatment, or “special access” to the University.
  • Never provide misleading or incomplete information.

  Support, but do not take over, your application

  • Representative support may include explaining entry requirements, preparing and submitting documentation, and advising on the admissions and visa process.
  • You should always maintain control over your application, including your applicant portal, email address, and communications with the University.

  Operate with integrity and transparency

  • Representatives must declare any use of sub‑agents. St Andrews expects that sub‑agents meet the same training, ethical and quality standards as contracted representatives.
  • Representatives must follow UK‑accredited training expectations (such as British Council UK Agent and Counsellor Certified Training).
  • Representatives must clearly explain any service fees they charge.
  • Representatives must not request or hold money on your behalf for tuition, deposits, or accommodation without explicit institutional processes.

  Ensure student wellbeing and confidentiality

  • Representatives must provide student‑centred, non‑discriminatory support at all stages.
  • They must protect your personal information and only share it with your consent.
  • They must act in your best interests and advise you honestly about appropriate options.

  Meet ongoing quality and training requirements

  • All representatives are expected to engage regularly with University training and with UK‑accredited professional development.
  • St Andrews monitors performance, reviews contracts annually, and may terminate agreements where standards are not met.

• Providing feedback or raising a concern

  Providing feedback or raising a concern

  If you wish to provide feedback on an agent, experience any issues with an authorised representative, or if a representative behaves in a way that is not aligned with the standards above, please contact the University immediately.

  You can:

  • request to change or remove your representative, and
  • report concerns or positive feedback directly to the Admissions team.

  All concerns will be reviewed under our agent‑monitoring and quality‑assurance processes, in line with the commitments of the UK Agent Quality Framework.