Education Agent Code of Conduct

1. Purpose and Professional Standards

Education Agents representing DCU International Academy must act honestly, professionally and ethically at all times.

Agents must:

• Represent DCU International Academy accurately and professionally.
• Comply with the Agent Agreement, DCU International Academy policies and procedures, applicable laws and regulations, and the London Statement.
• Only make commitments or representations on behalf of DCU International Academy where expressly authorised in writing.

2. Honest and Accurate Information

Agents must provide prospective students and their parents/guardians with current, accurate and complete information.

Agents must not:

• Make false, misleading or exaggerated claims.
• Misrepresent programmes, entry requirements, fees or accommodation.
• Make unauthorised promises regarding visas, immigration, employment, progression or student outcomes.
• Provide information that conflicts with DCU International Academy’s official terms, policies or programme information.

Where information is unclear or outside the Agent’s authority, students should be referred directly to DCU International Academy.

3. Student Interests and Informed Choice

The interests and welfare of students must be at the centre of recruitment activities.

Agents must:

• Give students sufficient information to make informed educational decisions.
• Provide objective advice and avoid inappropriate pressure.
• Never coerce or improperly influence a student to choose DCU International Academy.
• Disclose relevant conflicts of interest.
• Be transparent about any fees, commissions or other financial arrangements.

Financial or commercial interests must never compromise the accuracy or objectivity of advice provided to students.

4. Ethical Recruitment

Agents must follow the principles of the London Statement for the Ethical Recruitment of International Students, including:

• Responsible business ethics.
• Integrity and honesty.
• Objectivity.
• Professional competence and due care.
• Transparency.
• Confidentiality.
• Professional behaviour.
• Protection of minors.
• Providing current information to support informed student choices.
• Working with education providers to promote ethical recruitment and best practice.

5. Safeguarding and Protection of Minors

Agents must protect the interests and welfare of minors and comply with all applicable safeguarding requirements.

Any recruitment or support activity must be conducted in a manner that does not place students at material risk of harm or disadvantage.

6. Conflicts of Interest and Financial Transparency

Agents must:

• Declare actual or potential conflicts of interest.
• Clearly explain applicable fees, commissions and charges.
• Not misrepresent their entitlement to commission or other payments.
• Not charge students fees on behalf of DCU International Academy unless expressly authorised in writing.
• Ensure commercial arrangements do not influence the quality or objectivity of student advice.

7. Immigration, Legal and Regulated Advice

Agents must not provide immigration, visa, legal, financial or other regulated advice unless they are appropriately authorised and qualified to do so under applicable law.

Where appropriate, students should be directed to qualified professionals or DCU International Academy.

8. Marketing and Use of DCU Materials

Agents may only use DCU International Academy marketing materials, logos, photographs, programme descriptions and other promotional materials that have been supplied or expressly approved.

Agents must not materially alter DCU International Academy information without prior written approval.

Following termination of the relationship, Agents must stop using DCU International Academy branding and promotional materials.

9. Confidentiality and Data Protection

Agents must:

• Keep confidential information secure.
• Comply with applicable data protection and privacy laws and DCU / DCU IA policies.
• Protect student and prospective student information from unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, loss or destruction.
• Report any actual or suspected personal data breach to DCU International Academy without undue delay.

10. Training and Professional Development

Agents and relevant staff involved in student recruitment must participate in DCU International Academy training where reasonably required.

Agents are responsible for maintaining appropriate professional knowledge and ensuring continued compliance with applicable laws, regulations and professional standards.

11. Sub-Agents and Representatives

Agents must ensure that employees, counsellors, representatives and approved sub-agents comply with this Code of Conduct.

A sub-agent may only be appointed with prior written approval from DCU International Academy.

The appointed Agent remains responsible for the conduct and compliance of any approved sub-agent.

12. Records, Monitoring and Cooperation

Agents must maintain appropriate records relating to applications, communications and recruitment activities.

Agents must cooperate with DCU International Academy in:

• Student complaints and concerns.
• Investigations.
• Quality assurance activities.
• Compliance reviews.
• Requests for supporting information or documentation.

DCU International Academy may monitor Agent performance and require corrective action where concerns are identified.

13. Compliance with Laws and Regulations

Agents must comply with all laws and regulations applicable to their activities and maintain any required licences, registrations, approvals or permissions.

Agents must promptly notify DCU International Academy of any significant regulatory investigation, legal proceedings or material complaint that could affect their suitability or ability to represent DCU International Academy.

14. Professional Conduct and Reputation

Agents must conduct themselves in a way that protects the integrity and reputation of DCU International Academy and supports high standards within international education recruitment.

Unacceptable conduct includes:

• Fraudulent or dishonest behaviour.
• Deceptive recruitment practices.
• Providing materially inaccurate information.
• Unethical or unprofessional conduct.
• Misrepresenting DCU International Academy.
• Conduct that places students at material risk.
• Conduct that undermines transparency, integrity or ethical recruitment standards.

15. Breaches and Consequences

Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in corrective action, suspension of recruitment authority or termination of the Agent relationship.

Serious or repeated breaches may result in immediate termination, particularly where conduct involves:

• Fraud or dishonesty.
• Misleading information.
• Safeguarding failures.
• Serious policy or contractual breaches.
• Unethical recruitment.
• Material risk to students.
• Conduct that materially damages DCU International Academy’s interests or reputation.

16. Core Principles

Every Education Agent representing DCU International Academy should follow these six core principles:

1. Be Honest
Provide truthful, accurate and current information.

2. Put Students First
Protect student interests, welfare and informed choice.

3. Be Transparent
Clearly disclose fees, commissions, conflicts of interest and relevant relationships.

4. Act Professionally
Maintain appropriate standards of conduct, competence and care.

5. Protect Students and Their Information
Safeguard minors, respect confidentiality and comply with data protection requirements.

6. Follow the Rules
Comply with DCU International Academy requirements, the London Statement and all applicable laws and regulations.

Agent Commitment

By representing DCU International Academy, the Agent acknowledges its responsibility to uphold these standards and to ensure that all employees, representatives, counsellors and approved sub-agents acting on its behalf do the same.