ICEF Academy Agent Code of Conduct

Our commitment to professional standards ICEF Code of Conduct for Education Agents and Counsellors - for the ethical recruitment of international students

Agency-based student counsellors, individual agency staff and executives as well as any individuals completing ICEF Academy training courses are expected to endorse the code of conduct as part of their course requirements and in order to secure any related professional qualifications.

Agents are straightforward, transparent, and accountable at all times and in all dealings with institutions, students, parents, and other stakeholders.

This particularly includes:

1. 1. Acting fairly and in the best interests of the student
  2. Providing current, accurate, and honest information
  3. Providing realistic and appropriate information that is tailored to the individual student, particularly in relation to language ability, financial capacity, and intended study programme
  4. Ensuring that visa or admissions applications are free of any fraudulent or misleading documents or representations
  5. Being transparent in all business dealings and advisory services, including avoiding any conflicts of interest or misrepresentation
  6. Preserving the confidentiality of all personal and business information
  7. Ensuring that minor students have adequate representation and support from a parent, guardian, and/or legal counsel
  8. Representing accurately the rights and responsibilities of the student in their intended destination country
  9. Complying with all relevant laws and regulations in both the agent’s home country and the student’s intended destination
  10. Developing their professional knowledge and practice on an ongoing basis

The ICEF Code of Conduct is based on the globally endorsed ethical framework and principles enshrined in the London Statement (formally, The Statement of Principles for the Ethical Recruitment of International Students by Education Agents and Consultants). It also reflects the best practices advanced in other notable frameworks, including the National Association for College Admission Counselling’s (NACAC) Guide to International Student Recruitment Agencies; the British Universities’ International Liaison Association’s (BUILA) National Code of Ethical Practice for UK Education Agents; the Australian Agent Code of Ethics (ACE); the American International Recruitment Council’s (AIRC) Best Practice Guidelines for Institutional Members; and the Association of Language Travel Organisations’ (ALTO) Best Practice Guidelines for Education Providers and Agents.