The UK’s international education sector is facing scrutiny amid growing reports that thousands of overseas students — particularly from India and South Asia — are being misled by recruitment agents operating without proper oversight.
Investigations and media reports have revealed that some agents are exaggerating or falsifying claims about the opportunities available to students at UK universities, including guaranteed job offers, visa extensions, and routes to permanent residency.
Students who travelled to the UK under these assurances have found themselves struggling with financial hardship, insecure work, and limited post-study prospects — a far cry from the dreams they were sold.
Many of these agents operate independently or through loosely affiliated partnerships with universities and private colleges. While some are reputable, a significant number operate in an unregulated space, making unverifiable promises in order to collect commission per enrolment.
One affected student from Punjab, who wished to remain anonymous, said:
“They told me I would easily find a part-time job to support myself. But once I arrived, the reality was completely different. I can’t get the hours I need, and my tuition fees have become a huge burden.”
The UK is one of the world’s top destinations for international education, with Indian students comprising a large portion of the overseas student population. Yet the lack of regulation around the recruitment agent system is threatening the sector’s reputation and student wellbeing.
A recent Financial Times investigation found that several UK institutions — including lesser-known private colleges — had recruited heavily through overseas agents who made dubious claims. These included promises of automatic job placements, fast-tracked settlement options, and even financial aid that never materialised.
Universities and colleges are under pressure to increase international student numbers for revenue reasons, particularly in the wake of Brexit and domestic funding cuts. In many cases, institutions outsource recruitment to third-party agents — a practice that critics say outsources accountability as well.
Education advocates and immigration experts are now calling for urgent reform, including:
- Mandatory regulation and accreditation of overseas agents
- Transparent recruitment practices from universities
- Stronger guidance from the Department for Education and Home Office
- Better student protections and redress mechanisms
Dr. Jo Grady, General Secretary of the University and College Union (UCU), said:
“We need far more transparency and oversight of international recruitment practices. Students are being sold false promises, and universities have a duty to ensure that the agents representing them are acting ethically and lawfully.”
In response to growing pressure, the UK government has stated it will review the role of international education agents as part of a wider look at student visa policies and immigration controls. The Department for Education has acknowledged concerns and said institutions must take responsibility for their recruitment practices.
However, campaigners argue that voluntary codes of conduct are not enough, and that without formal regulation, the exploitation of vulnerable students will continue.
The situation has reignited debates around the commercialisation of higher education, where students are increasingly treated as revenue sources rather than individuals seeking life-changing opportunities.
As universities gear up for another academic cycle, the spotlight is now firmly on the recruitment system. For many international students, the hope is that reform comes soon — before more are left misled, in debt, and disillusioned.