International student recruitment is a complex business, but for those who understand its nuances, the rewards are significant – both for counsellors and students. The ICEF Agent Training Course (IATC) offers a deep dive into this evolving industry, helping both new and experienced agents refine their skills and expand their knowledge.
Developed in consultation with leading experts in the sector, the IATC equips you with a thorough understanding of international education, the expertise to collaborate effectively with education providers, and the skills to effectively guide students through their international education journey.
Course: Free | Exam: €295
6 weeks (3 hours of study per week)
The IATC is a modular, self-paced course that explores the foundations of the international education sector.
In taking this course, you will gain an essential understanding of the fundamentals of international student recruitment.
This course is ideal for both new and experienced education counsellors and agents seeking to update their industry knowledge.
Gain insights into destination countries, education systems, legal requirements, and visa processes.
Learn how to engage effectively with students, educators, institutions, and government entities.
Learn about ethical recruitment, marketing strategies, and industry best practices.
The IATC exam is delivered online. You will be notified of your results immediately upon completion. Successful participants will receive the ICEF Trained Agent Counsellor (ITAC) certificate within 7 business days.
There are no specific prerequisites for taking the IATC; however, a minimum English language proficiency of IELTS 5.0/TOEFL PBT 500/TOEFL iBT 61 is advised, as the course and exam content are in English. Participation in ICEF events is not required to take the course.
To receive the IATC certification, you will be required to take an exam priced at €295. The exam fee includes up to 3 attempts (if required). Agents from IAS-accredited agencies can book the exam at an exclusive price of €99 using the agency’s unique code.
Passing the ICEF Agent Training Course exam is a proud moment for me. The course materials and exam structure have given me a much clearer roadmap for becoming a better professional in the international education sector. It is rare to find a course where the content is so consistently updated...
As a business owner and an education consultant, I was pleased to find a course that formalised our approach and values. I also appreciated the holistic approach of the ICEF Agent Training Course content, which covered many different aspects of the counselling experience and highlighted important...
"By completing the ICEF Agent Training Course certification, I aimed to enhance my knowledge and skills in this area, thereby increasing my credibility as a recruitment agent."
The ICEF Agent Training Course covers the following modules:
Module 1: Working Effectively
Topic 1: The Role of an International Student Counsellor
Topic 2: What interpersonal skills will help me succeed?
Topic 3: What will aid my effectiveness and success as an agent?
Topic 4: What protocols and processes do I need to follow?
Topic 5: What software and tools will help me in my role?
Topic 6: What workplace skills do I need to develop?
Module 2: Marketing and recruitment strategies
Topic 1: How do I research a market?
Topic 2: How do I recruit students effectively?
Topic 3: How do I use the data to create marketing materials?
Module 3: Ethics
Topic 1: What traits demonstrate good character?
Topic 2: What are the consequences if I behave dishonestly and incompetently?
Topic 3: What kinds of professional standards do I need to meet?
Topic 4: What kinds of unethical practices do I need to avoid?
Module 4: International Education Stakeholders
Topic 1: Which personnel will I most commonly deal with, and where do they fit in the organisation?
Topic 2: What are the job titles and responsibilities of people working to market international education in education institutions?
Topic 3: What government or peak bodies will I need to have contact with?
Topic 4: How do I communicate effectively with education institutions?
Topic 5: Developing communication skills
Module 5: Student Client Management
Topic 1: What are the benefits of student profiles?
Topic 2: What key skills do I need for this role?
Topic 3: How do I apply for enrolment?
Topic 4: What help can I provide for students pre-departure?
Topic 5: How can I help students post-departure?
Topic 6: How am I involved during a student’s study?
Topic 7: Am I involved after completion of study?
Module 6: Student Care Issues
Topic 1: What systems do institutions have to support international students?
Topic 2: What external support can students access?
Topic 3: How can I assist a student to prepare for their studies in the destination country?
Topic 4: How can I assist with decisions around lifestyle in a destination country?
Topic 5: What assistance is available regarding cultural differences?
Module 7: Destination Countries
Topic 1: What kinds of education services are offered in destination countries?
Topic 2: What information do I need to understand a destination country?
Topic 3: What are students likely to want to know about a destination country?
Topic 4: What are the main destination countries?
Module 8: Education Systems
Topic 1: How is the education system structured in destination countries?
Topic 2: What types of educational institutions are there and how do they fit in the education system?
Topic 3: What types of qualifications can a student gain from these educational institutions?
Topic 4: Where can international students enter and leave the education system?
Module 9: Regulatory Systems
Topic 1: How are the regulatory systems structured in destination countries?
Topic 2: How do the regulatory systems affect the different types of educational institutions?
Topic 3: How do the regulatory systems affect me?
Module 10: Legal Requirements
Topic 1: Why does each destination country regulate its international education industry?
Topic 2: How familiar are you with your student counselling responsibilities?
Topic 3: Are you aware of consumer protection requirements in destination countries which have an effect on contractual obligations?
Module 11: Student Visas
Topic 1: What migration regulations affect international students?
Topic 2: What are the visa types, requirements and conditions that affect international students in the destination country?
Topic 3: How do enrolment and application procedures affect study planning?
Topic 4: What prerequisites affect international students?
Module 12: Student Documents
Topic 1: What must I do to properly manage student information?
Topic 2: What kind of qualifications are accepted by institutions in the destination country?
Topic 3: What are some common methods used to create inauthentic documents?
Topic 4: What advice will I need to give to students for processing their documents?
The IATC provides an up-to-date, in-depth understanding of the international student recruitment sector, ensuring you stay current in this evolving industry.
An official qualification is available to all candidates who complete the course and take the ICEF Agent Training course exam.
On passing the exam, you will receive:
