ICEF Code of Conduct for the Ethical
Recruitment of International Students
Agencies are expected to endorse and comply with the following code of
conduct in order to establish and maintain their ICEF Agency Status and eligibility
to attend ICEF events.
Agency owners and executives are straightforward, transparent, and
accountable at all times and in all dealings with staff, institutions, students,
parents, and other stakeholders.
This particularly includes ensuring that they and their staff are:
- Acting fairly and in the best interests of both students and institutional
partners
- Providing current, accurate, and honest information
- Providing realistic and appropriate information that is tailored to the
individual student, particularly in relation to language ability, financial
capacity, and intended study programme
- Ensuring that visa or admissions applications are free of any fraudulent or
misleading documents or representations
- Being transparent in all business dealings and advisory services, including
avoiding any conflicts of interest or misrepresentation
- Prioritising the use of signed agreements or contracts between the agency
and the institution, and being transparent with both students and receiving
institutions in cases where a student may be referred outside of any such
formal agreement
- Disclosing to partner-institutions whether any contracted sub-agents may
play a role in recruitment and ensuring appropriate oversight or quality
assurance measures to monitor sub-agent compliance with this code of
conduct
- Preserving the confidentiality of all personal and business information
- Ensuring that minor students have adequate representation and support
from a parent, guardian, and/or legal counsel
- Representing accurately the rights and responsibilities of the student in
their intended destination country
- Complying with all relevant laws and regulations in both the agent’s home
country and the student’s intended destination
- Representing a government or industry endorsement, including the use of
any official brand marks, only with the written approval of the endorsing
body
- Using institutions’ officially approved material, including branding or any
official marks, only in cases where a written agreement with the institution
provides for such use
- Ensuring that all advertising and marketing materials are free of
misrepresentation and compliant with both local advertising standards
and the brand guidelines of partner institutions
- Ensuring the quality of the student experience through effective
mechanisms to gather feedback and otherwise monitor the students’
progress in their destinations abroad
- Establishing clear processes for handling complaints and resolving
disputes
- Participating in appropriate industry training programmes where possible
and appropriate, as well as training and site visits specific to individual
institutions
- Maintaining membership in appropriate professional associations and
other standards-based bodies, where possible and appropriate
- Working with stakeholders and colleagues to advance industry standards
and best practices
- Maintaining all required business licences and/or registrations
Please note:
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); AIRC: The Association of
International Enrollment Management’s standards for both institutions and agencies; and the Association of
Language Travel Organisations’ (ALTO) Best Practice Guidelines for Education Providers and Agents.
