External Agent Guideline 2024 Version 2

The agent plays a crucial role in representing M & K Recruitment and its Academic Partners
by assisting qualified applicants in the specified territory throughout the application and
admissions process. This guideline outlines the agent's key responsibilities, compliance
requirements, and forbidden activities.

Marketing and Promotion:

• Promote and market the courses to qualified applicants within the specified
territory.
• Provide advice and assistance to applicants throughout the application and
admissions process.
• Publicize and disseminate information and materials related to the courses as
provided by M & K and its partners.
• Use best endeavors to promote the courses and recruit students with due care and
diligence.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of our partners' programs, admission requirements,
and any changes in policies or procedures.
• Utilize a variety of marketing channels to reach potential applicants, including online
platforms, social media, educational fairs, and partnerships with local institutions.

Applicant Support:
• Advise and assist qualified applicants in submitting online applications for our
partners' courses.
• Advise applicants about living accommodation options near the location of our
partners.
• Advise and assist applicants with arranging their finances (tuition fees and
maintenance costs).
 • Provide clear and accurate information to applicants about the application process,
timelines, and required documentation.
• Offer ongoing support to applicants throughout the admissions process, addressing
any questions or concerns they may have.
• Maintain regular communication with applicants to ensure a smooth and positive
experience.

Compliance and Relationship Management:

• Act conscientiously and in good faith toward M & K Recruitment, avoiding conflicts
of interest.
• Comply with all reasonable and lawful instructions from M & K Recruitment
regarding the promotion and marketing of the courses.
• Maintain appropriate offices, stores, displays, and administration facilities and
systems.
• Follow our partners' relevant published policies and those of relevant third parties
(e.g., Office for Students, UKVI, QAA, UCAS, ICEF, British Council).
• Employ sufficient qualified personnel to fulfill the agent's duties under the
agreement.

The agent is forbidden to do the following:

1. Unauthorized Use of M & K's (or Its Partners') Name or Branding: The agent cannot
publish any advertising or promotional material referencing M & K Recruitment or its
Academic Partners without prior written approval. They are also forbidden from
altering or misrepresenting the name or visual identity of M & K Recruitment or its
Academic Partners in any way without written approval.
2. Providing Unapproved Information or Advice: The agent must ensure that any
information or advice given to potential applicants is explicitly approved by M & K's
Director of Student Recruitment or nominee, unless it is already contained in M & K's
or its academic partners' publications. They cannot provide false or misleading
information about M & K, its Academic Partners, or the courses.
 3. Accepting Payment from Applicants: The agent cannot seek or accept payment from
potential applicants for carrying out any duties under the agreement, including those
related to promoting and marketing the courses or recruiting students. The agent
may charge for professional services outside these activities authorized by M & K
Recruitment.
4. Collecting Tuition Fees: The agent is not authorized to collect any tuition fees from
applicants.
5. Subcontracting or Delegating Duties: The agent cannot subcontract or delegate any
duties or obligations under the agreement, including the appointment and use of
sub-agents, without written approval from M & K's Director of Student Recruitment
or a designated director.
6. Misrepresenting Authority: The agent cannot represent themselves as being capable
of admitting students to the courses or guaranteeing enrollment.
7. Using Unsuitable Premises: The agent cannot promote or market the courses or
undertake student recruitment activities in premises or locations deemed unsuitable
by M & K Recruitment or its Academic Partners.
8. Entering into Negotiations or Contracts on Behalf of M & K Recruitment: The agent
cannot enter into negotiations or contracts on behalf of M & K Recruitment or bind
M & K Recruitment in any way.

Duties of M & K Recruitment:

1. Provide the agent with training about its academic partners' courses, entry
requirements, and online application procedures.
2. Provide the agent with other training as necessary, for example, on SLC-related
matters and UKVI policies and procedures.
3. Advise the agent when courses are filled, when capacity is limited, and/or when a
course is not being delivered due to low application numbers.
4. Advise the agent promptly of any new or additional courses or of any substantive
variation in the syllabus covered by any particular course.
 5. Appoint an account manager to deal promptly with inquiries from the agent and to
provide regular update reports or upon request.

Fees:
• Standard undergraduate courses: £12,000 per year
• Accelerated undergraduate courses: £15,000 per year
• Top-up undergraduate courses (1 year): £12,000
• Standard postgraduate courses: £15,000 – £16,500
• MBA and MSc Management (1 year): £15,000
• MSc Accounting and Finance; MSc Finance and Wealth Management; LLM English
Legal Practice (1 year): £16,500

Deposit Requirements:
• Postgraduate and Top-up degrees:
o India: 75%
o Other countries: 50%
• Undergraduate:
o 100% of Year 1 fees
Postgraduate Applicants Only
• 50% deposit payable to our partners.
• Loan funding available for the balance of tuition fees and/or maintenance through
TSFC.
Financial Support Options:

Our partners have partnered with The Student Funding Company (TSFC) to offer a loan
facility for international students to cover tuition fees and/or living expenses.

Eligibility:
• Initially available for postgraduate & Top-up students.
• Students from Latin America can apply for a 100% tuition fee loan.

Deposit and Loan Repayment:

• A minimum 50% deposit is required before the CAS is issued.
• Loan repayment options are available over 12 or 24 months.
• The tuition fee balance can be paid directly to Bloomsbury over 6 months, interest-
free, after enrollment.

Graduate Visa and Loan Repayment:

• Confirmation of course completion for the 2-year Graduate Visa is dependent on full
tuition fee payment.
• Students with TSFC loans in good standing can receive confirmation of course
completion without delay, even with ongoing loan repayments.
•

TSFC Regulation and Flexibility:

• TSFC is regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority.
• TSFC considers a wider range of factors for affordability, including sponsor income
and capital.

Mission and Partnership:

Our partnership with TSFC aims to provide postgraduate and Top-up students with a trusted
and affordable loan option, aligning with our mission to break down barriers together.
Refund of Tuition Fee Deposit:

The Tuition Fee Deposit is generally non-refundable, except in the following cases:

1. Visa Rejection:
o If your Student visa application is rejected in writing by the British Embassy or
British High Commission, you may be eligible for a refund.
o To request a refund, you must provide:
▪ A copy of the Visa Rejection Notification; and
▪ A written request with your original signature, submitted no later
than 28 calendar days after the course's advertised start date.
2. Other Circumstances:
o You exercise your right to cancel the contract as outlined in Section 2.2.
o We withdraw your course as outlined in Section 2.3.
o We substitute the awarding body, and you cancel the contract as outlined in
Section 2.4.
o We make major changes to your course, and you cancel the contract as
outlined in Section 2.5.
o You are entitled to a refund under the Student Protection Plan.

Non-Refundable Cases:

The Tuition Fee Deposit will not be refunded if:

• You used fraudulent documents to support your application for a course or student
visa.
• You failed to disclose information in your course application.
• Your Student visa application is submitted too late or rejected due to missing
documents previously approved by our Compliance Team.

Student Visa Application (as of March 2024)

Process:
• Apply for the visa online.
• £490 visa fee.
• £776 per year National Health Service surcharge (use the online checker:
[Link]/checker/type).
• Note: Bringing a spouse/partner and/or children is no longer permitted.
Visa Validity:
• Arrive in the UK up to 1 month before your course start date.
• Student visa is valid for:
o Up to 4 months after the course end date (excluding Top-up courses, which
are valid for up to 2 months).
• Eligibility for a 2-Year Graduate Visa upon successful course completion.

Please get in touch with Nauman Khan, our Director of Student Recruitment, if you need any further information.
Naumankhan@[Link]