QMU International Agent Representatives’ Guide
Welcome to our International Representatives’ guide. It contains information about QMU to help you learn more about the university and our ethos. We hope it will help you to promote QMU with confidence to prospective students.
The UK Agent Quality Framework
As an institution, QMU is committed to the UK Agent Quality Framework (AQF) and pledges to create and maintain the highest standards of agent management, ensuring the UK remains a leading study destination for international students.
We have signed a pledge with the British Universities' International Liaison Association and the British Council, which declares that we are committed to:
- Empowering student choice and enabling informed decision making.
- Ensuring good agent governance and professionalism.
- Promoting ethical agent practices, professional knowledge, and competency.
- Increasing transparency and accountability.
We require all QMU agents to be listed on the AQF database of certified counsellors.
We are a modern university, grounded in a long tradition of serving and enhancing the wellbeing of our local and global communities. Guided by intellectual curiosity, inclusivity, and strong core values, our vibrant campus, opened in 2007, is designed as an academic village that supports today’s students.
Centred around innovative learning and sustainable design, we offer high‑quality teaching spaces, student accommodation, sports and social facilities, landscaped grounds, and fully accessible buildings, creating an outstanding environment in which to live and learn.
We have a team of experienced International Officers (IOs) based at our Edinburgh campus. In addition, we have International Officers based in Delhi, India, and Lagos, Nigeria. All travel frequently. We also have a dedicated International Student Support Officer who is based on campus. If you would like to contact any of our International staff, please do so by emailing international@qmu.ac.uk. This mailbox is for general enquiries and information requests.
Our IOs provide regular counsellor training and updates and will aim to visit your offices in person wherever possible. If you request an office visit, we’ll do our best to accommodate you when we are next in your location.
Our Admissions Team can be reached at admissions@qmu.ac.uk. Please contact Admissions for any application-related questions and quote the QMU student number in your email.
We aim to give you a high level of service and support at all times.
International students make up 20% of the total student body at QMU, and they come from 80+ countries. Students at QMU benefit from small class sizes and focused attention from academic staff.
Student Support
We provide international students with a warm welcome and a supportive study experience, ensuring they have access to a wide range of services. These include:
PAT system: All students have a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) who supports them throughout their entire academic journey. A PAT can provide advice to students on how to deal with academic and personal issues, and helps them to optimise learning opportunities in each year of their programme.
Effective Learning Service: As well as helping international students make a smooth transition to studying in the UK, their aim is to help all students become as self-reliant as possible as they progress through their degree programmes at QMU.
Careers and Employability: Our gold-award winning Careers and Employability Team help students at all stages of their career journey, from the moment they begin their degree to graduation and beyond.
Wellbeing Service: Students need to look after their wellbeing if they are to succeed in their studies. This service supports students with anything that may be having an impact on their wellbeing.
Disability Service: At QMU, we help all students who have a disability to access the support they need. This includes everyone - undergraduate, postgraduate, EU or International students.
Students’ Union: The Students’ Union is a registered charity and works to ensure that students have the best university experience while studying at QMU, whether they are living on campus or not. The union offer advice and support, student representation, extra-curricular activities and volunteer opportunities.
We currently offer competitive £3,000 scholarships for international students for their first year of study*. The current deadlines for scholarship applications are 31 October for the January intake and 31 March for the September intake. Students need to have applied for a course before they can apply for a scholarship. If their scholarship application is successful, £3,000 will be deducted from their first-year fees.
* If the course fees are £12,500 or above
Successful applicants need to pay a £5000 deposit* to obtain a confirmation of acceptance for study (CAS).
*In the case of students from Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan, we ask for the full fee for their first year of study prior to issuing a CAS.
When students arrive at QMU, they can pay their fees, minus deposit, either in full or in 8 equal (interest-free) instalments. If the course fees are £12,500 or more, students can save 5% if they pay in full.
Applications for postgraduate courses can be made directly from the relevant course page on our website - there is no application fee. Undergraduate applications are welcomed through UCAS.
Detailed information can be found in your Agent Representative Agreement. Student lists and commission claims should be submitted to international@qmu.ac.uk within 3 months of the relevant intake.
Our corporate identity is a vital part of the institution's marketing and must be used consistently and correctly. Our Brand Guidelines provide you with all of the information that you will need to use our corporate identity. Any advertising should be approved in advance by our Marketing and Communications Office: marketing@qmu.ac.uk.
Can I recruit for QMU without a contract?
Unfortunately, only agents with contracts can recruit for QMU.
How do I claim commission from QMU if my agency does not have a contract?
We can only pay commission to agents who have a contract with QMU.
My agency does not currently work with QMU, how do I get a contract?
We work with a small number of approved agents, but we will consider new agent applications in line with our student recruitment plans. If you are interested in working with us, please contact international@qmu.ac.uk
Can I change the duration of my agreement with you?
All of our agreements are for 2 years. We will discuss renewing your agreement with you towards the end of each 2-year period.
I have questions about my agency’s agreement with QMU, how can I contact you?
For any agreement-related enquiries, please contact international@qmu.ac.uk
How do I submit applications to QMU?
Undergraduate applications should be submitted through UCAS.
Postgraduate applications should be submitted via the course page on the QMU website.
For applicants who are using international agents
QMU is committed to maintaining the highest standards in agent management and is a proud signatory of the Agent Quality Framework (AQF). All of our agent representatives must be listed on the AQF database of certified counsellors.
QMU’s authorised agent representatives recruit students to our campus in Edinburgh, Scotland. We provide our representatives with ongoing training and support; they will be delighted to provide information about QMU and assist and guide you through the application and visa process.
Our Scotland-based International Team and in-country representatives in India (Delhi) and West Africa (Lagos) work closely with representatives from these agencies to ensure they have up-to-date information about QMU’s courses, fees, scholarships and processes.
Applying through an agency is not mandatory - if you prefer to apply independently, our International Team and in-country representatives will be delighted to guide you. For information and support, contact international@qmu.ac.uk
QMU pays commission to our approved agent representatives for the support they provide students from application to enrolment. StudyUK have prepared a Student Guide to Choosing an Education Agent which provides helpful information about what you can expect. If you are concerned that one of our approved agent representatives is not meeting the expectations outlined in the guide, contact international@qmu.ac.uk as soon as possible.
View our current list of QMU Agent Representatives
If the agent representative you choose does a fantastic job, please let us know!
