International Work
Global engagement brings with it so many benefits for both learners and education staff, creating lasting connections and life-changing experiences and there are many excellent and long-standing international partnerships in colleges across the country. Colleges engage in a range of international activities, including student mobility projects, student recruitment and transnational education. UK colleges work with countries all over the world to deliver education and training. We are always pleased to help organisations who are looking to partner with colleges.
AoC supports colleges in the development of their international activity by:
- Representing college interests to governments both in the UK and overseas.
- Promoting the quality reputation of colleges and opportunities for the sector to export.
- Providing networks, guidance and intelligence for our member colleges.
At national policy level, AoC represents the college sector on advisory boards and international education stakeholder groups, including with the Home Office, the Department for Education, the British Council, UKCISA and the UK Skills Partnership.
At international policy level, AoC continues to enhance its international reach as a board member of the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) and as a founding member of EUproVET, a pan-European association for vocational education and training.
The Agent Quality Framework (AQF)
The Association of Colleges supports the Agent Quality Framework (AQF), an education sector-wide initiative that provides standards, training and resources to enhance the experience of international students applying to the UK and to uphold the integrity of the UK’s student visa system.
The AQF applies to all UK education providers on the register of licensed Student sponsors who use international student recruitment agents. The AQF sets out the standards by which UK education providers are expected to manage their agents.
Home Office Student Sponsor Guidance highlights the importance of the UK Agent Quality Framework (AQF) to all working in the international student recruitment ecosystem. The guidance states:
- all student sponsors using recruitment agents must have committed to adhering to the key principles of the Agent Quality Framework (AQF) as stated at The UK Agent Quality Framework Official Information Page. As part of these commitments, student sponsors may want to consider the recommended actions and best practices set out on the AQF webpage.
- all student sponsors using recruitment agents must retain evidence of how they are managing agents in line with the AQF and the national code of ethical practice for UK education agents, as applicable to the school, further education, pathway and higher education sectors.
Key actions for UK education providers
- Ensure details for your agents and third parties are up-to-date, so that you can provide these details to UKVI when requested.
- Ensure you read and understand the Student Sponsor Guidance.
- Visit the AQF website and make sure you have read through the relevant resources. FAQs are also available to support you.
- Promote the student and parent guide to choosing an education agent on your institution’s website and in communications with prospective international students.
- Publish a list of all contracted education agents on your institution’s website.
- Provide clear information to international students on how they can register a complaint about their chosen education agent.
- In all agency contracts, include a requirement for the agent to comply with the national code of ethical practice for UK education agents.
- In all agency contracts, include a requirement for the agent to complete an appropriate sector-endorsed training programme that focuses on the national code of ethical practice for UK education agents.
- Publish a clear statement on your institution’s website explaining the commercial relationship between your institution and your contracted education agents.
- Include this UK International Education Sectors Pledge on your institution’s website to demonstrate your commitment to the AQF.
AoC has produced a short document that colleges can use with overseas stakeholders (students, agents, education partners) in the development of their international activity.
AoC International Reference Group
Reference Groups provide forums to work with Government Departments, agencies and partner organisations on policy formation and implementation issues.
For further information about the group contact Pauline Odlin.
To get involved in the College Student Mobility Group please contact Nina Chorzelewski
To get involved in the College International Forum please contact Nina Chorzelewski
International Briefings
Internationalisation
This paper covers internationalisation and immigration and aligns with the Opportunity England recommendation and aligns with the Opportunity England recommendation, 'investing in our future'.
Implementing these recommendations would significantly advance the ability of England’s further education (FE) sector to internationalise, aligning with Opportunity England’s vision of a globally connected and competitive sector. By addressing these challenges, colleges in England could better attract and support international talent, fostering a more diverse and culturally enriched learning environment for everyone. Enhancing student mobility and international partnerships in FE would continue to equip students with global perspectives and skills, essential for today’s interconnected world. Closer alignment between national skills needs, training and immigration policy is essential to delivering economic and cultural prosperity. Ultimately, these steps would position England as a leading destination for international skills and collaboration.
Each year we publish a report on international activity in colleges. All reports are available below:
