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Recruitment Agency Accreditation

Who is recruitment agency accreditation for?

Agencies recruiting students for universities, colleges, and schools — from single-country agents to multinational networks. The agent sector's reputation problem is well known: universities are tightening agent due-diligence, and parents are warier than ever. Accreditation lets a good agency prove what it says about itself, and gives partner universities a due-diligence answer they can verify on a register.

What do inspectors assess?

The review examines how the agency actually treats students and partners:

• Counselling accuracy: whether students receive truthful information about institutions, costs, and visa realities
• Fee transparency to students and disclosure of institutional commissions
• Legitimacy of institutional partnerships and marketing claims
• Handling of student documents, payments, and personal data
• Staff training and knowledge of destination systems
• Complaint handling and refund practice, tested against real cases

All criteria derive from the ten Accredo Standards, aligned with the ESG framework.

How does the process work?

1. Register & scoping callCreate an account, complete registration, and join an online knowledge-exploration session so we understand your context.
2. Self-evaluation & evidenceSubmit the application with documentation mapped to the standards above.
3. Desk reviewInspectors assess your evidence and request clarification where needed.
4. InspectionOn-site or virtual: observed teaching, facility review, and interviews with leadership, staff, and students.
5. Report, decision & awardA graded written report goes to the Accreditation Board; successful institutions are accredited for four years.
6. Annual monitoringYearly returns and an agreed improvement plan through to reaccreditation in year four.

Typical duration: three to six months. Institutions must have taught a student cohort for at least three months before inspection. Full detail: the inspection process.

What are the benefits?

• A register-verifiable credential for university partnership due-diligence
• Differentiation from unaccredited agents in a low-trust market
• Parent and student confidence backed by an independent inspection
• Framework feedback that strengthens compliance before regulators arrive
• Access to Accredo's institutional network for legitimate partnership development

Frequently asked questions