Russell Group statement on recruitment agent practices

02 February 2024

The Russell Group is supportive of the statement issued today (Friday 2 February) by Universities UK, to take steps to ensure the use of agents in student recruitment processes is fair, transparent and robust.

A spokesperson for the Russell Group said: 

"The behaviour of the agents highlighted in media reports clearly falls short of the high standards our universities expect and require, and consequently a number of agent contracts have been reviewed and terminated. International students and their families have the right to expect professionalism and honesty when working with agents so they can take decisions about their education that are right for them, with information that is accurate and consistent with university admissions policies.

"Not every Russell Group university uses recruitment agents, but all Russell Group universities who do use recruitment agents are now pledged to the UK Agent Quality Framework (AQF). The Russell Group itself also endorses the use of the AQF and we will continue to work closely with DfE, the Home Office and others within government as the investigation which has been announced gets underway."

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