Thousands of educational institutions across the world are turning to student recruitment agencies to help them recruit international students. They understand that student recruitment is one of the most effective ways of attracting and retaining new students in today’s globalised education landscape.
In a highly competitive market, the use of a student recruitment agency can be an efficient and cost-effective strategy for colleges and universities looking to expand their international enrolment capacity. However, working with agents also brings their own challenges and risks that need to be considered by all involved.
The right agent for your institution will be able to provide an excellent service, as they have a strong track record in promoting and marketing your programmes to international students. They should be knowledgeable about the programme they represent, offer informative answers to students’ questions and guide them through the entire process.
A good agent will be a goal-oriented professional who is dedicated to their work. They will be able to link the impact of their marketing activities on results and help them achieve their goals for their client, the university or college they are representing.
Student recruitment is an important and ongoing process for a university or college. It helps them retain existing students, attract and convert potential applicants and increase enrollments and financial support.
Some student recruiters are seasoned professionals, while others are just starting out in this field. It is always a good idea to check their qualifications and reputation before deciding to work with them.
Many institutions have negative experiences with student recruitment agents, ranging from agents failing to deliver on their contractual obligations or recommending unqualified students for admission, to defrauding international students and their families. This is why it is essential to make sure that your agent is ethical and committed to promoting your programs in an ethical manner.
The recruitment of international students is an ongoing process that requires a lot of planning and collaboration from the institution and their agents. It is also crucial that the agents themselves are aware of the ethical standards that your institution expects from their services, and ensure they adhere to them.
As an institution, you must provide the agents with a wide range of information about your university and the various aspects that are unique to your programme. This is essential for them to be able to match students with the most appropriate programmes and ensure that they receive an outstanding education experience.
It is also important to ensure that the agents have the necessary information and resources available to them so that they can communicate with prospective students effectively. This can include factual information about your institution, procedures for applying and obtaining visas, and testimonials from former students.
Aside from this, it is also important that your agency has a good understanding of your academic programme and the factors driving students to study abroad. This will allow them to identify the most favourable points about your programme and promote it in the right markets.