EduQuantica Ltd – Code of Ethical Practice

Purpose and scope

EduQuantica Ltd adopts the National Code of Ethical Practice for UK Education Agents (July 2025) in full and commits to the UK Agent Quality Framework (AQF). This code sets out how we put those standards into practice.

It applies to all EduQuantica directors, employees, contractors and volunteers, and to every sub-agent and partner who recruits students on our behalf. Breaching it is a disciplinary matter for staff and a contractual matter for sub-agents.

Our ethical principles

• Integrity – we are straightforward and honest in all professional and business dealings.
• Objectivity – we do not let bias, commission levels or conflicts of interest affect our advice.
• Professional competence and due care – we keep our knowledge current and act diligently.
• Transparency – we declare conflicts of interest, partnerships and any fees to students and providers.
• Confidentiality – we protect personal information and share it only with proper authority, in line with UK data protection law.
• Professional behaviour – we comply with the law and treat every client fairly and competently.
• Purpose – we act in the best interests of students and wider society, even at the expense of our own commercial interest.

Our commitments under the five standards

1. Organisational behaviour

1. We act professionally, honestly and responsibly, and comply with the laws of every market we operate in, including any local agent licensing.
2. We avoid conflicts of interest and declare any that arise to providers and students.
3. We declare all partnerships and affiliations, including sub-agents, and manage them under our Sub-Agent Onboarding Policy.
4. We state clearly which providers we represent under contract and which we do not.
5. Our company name and registration number appear on our website and all advertising.
6. We use only provider-approved marketing materials, or get approval before creating our own.
7. We provide a safe workplace and a professional physical and online space for counselling.
8. We keep client records and agreements for at least 2 years (6 years for financial and complaint records).

2. Ethical business practice

1. All staff and sub-agents read, understand and sign this code and the national code.
2. We tell students which services are paid by the provider (commission) and which, if any, the student pays. We do not disclose commission amounts.
3. We disclose any marketing incentives to providers and never lure students away from competitors with improper inducements.
4. Every student client signs an agreement covering our services, fees, refunds and complaints process.
5. We give accurate information about our accreditations, memberships and experience.
6. We monitor student and provider feedback and act on it.
7. We check documents for fraud before submission and never submit, alter or advise on false documents.
8. We never encourage provider hopping to earn extra commission. If a student has sound reasons to move, we inform both providers and work with them.
9. We comply with our Anti-Bribery and Anti-Money Laundering policies.

3. Objective advice and guidance

1. We introduce a range of suitable providers matched to each student's profile, not only those paying the highest commission.
2. We never claim government endorsement or privileged access to officials, or misuse national or provider logos.
3. We never claim a contract with a provider where none exists.
4. We never promise favourable entry requirements, guaranteed offers or guaranteed visas.
5. Our fees and refund policy are published and explained before a student signs.

4. Student-centred practice

1. We give realistic advice tailored to each student's English level, ability to pay and level of study.
2. We serve every student without discrimination on grounds of nationality, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, marital or maternity status.
3. We act in the best interests of the qualified student.
4. We warn students about non-genuine providers and areas of sector concern.
5. We provide pastoral care in line with our duty of care, with extra safeguards for students under 18, including parental involvement and consent.
6. We explain students' rights and responsibilities in the UK, including complaints routes and visa conditions such as part-time work limits.
7. We never hold student money or pay tuition fees on a student's behalf.
8. We keep personal information confidential and share it only with consent, under our Data Protection Policy.

5. Organisational competence

1. All counselling staff working with UK-bound students complete British Council UK agent and counsellor training and hold the digital badge before advising students independently.
2. All counsellors attend regular training from our contracted providers and keep up to date with UKVI rules.
3. We keep a training record for every staff member and sub-agent, with dates and type of training.
4. Where possible, all staff complete the British Council training, whether or not they focus on the UK.

Desirable practice

• We publish a student charter on how we counsel and support students.
• We join professional associations that promote ethical recruitment.
• We take steps to reduce the environmental impact of our operations.

Quality monitoring

Our partner universities review agents every year against AQF measures, rated Red, Amber or Green using UKVI's Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) standards. We track the same measures internally every month, by office, counsellor and sub-agent, so problems are caught before a provider review.

We set internal targets stricter than the current BCA thresholds and update them whenever UKVI changes the BCA. Any Red or Amber result triggers a written action plan within 20 working days, shared with the provider where requested.

Breaches and reporting concerns

• Anyone may report a suspected breach to the Compliance Officer at compliance@eduquantica.com, including anonymously. We protect people who raise concerns in good faith from retaliation.
• Staff breaches are handled under our disciplinary procedure and may lead to dismissal.
• Sub-agent breaches may lead to suspension, withheld commission or termination, as set out in the Sub-Agent Onboarding Policy.
• Serious breaches, such as document fraud, are reported to the affected providers and, where required, to UKVI or the police.