Universities UK statement on fair admissions practice and agent behaviour

There has been a significant focus on recruitment practices relating to international students in recent weeks. While many aspects of the reporting misrepresented the admissions process and criteria, it is vital that students, their families, and government have confidence that the system is fair, transparent, and robust.

The Universities UK Board has today agreed the following immediate actions:

1)      Review of quality and comparability of International Foundation Programmes and those for Home (UK) students. We will:

a.       Commission the QAA to undertake a rapid review of the IFPs.

b.       The review will compare requirements of IFPs and Home FPs, including entry requirements. 

2)      Review the Agent Quality Framework and make recommendations to enhance the system. We will:

a.       Work with government and partners to update the AQF and ensure adoption across the sector.

b.       Make recommendations on how the AQF and wider UK data infrastructure can improve resilience and identify bad practice.

3)      Update the Admissions Code of Practice to clearly state its applicability to international recruitment. We will:

a.       Review and (if necessary) update the Admissions Code of Practice to signpost where the Code is expected to apply to international recruitment.