As a study abroad agency, you need to have an affiliation or a working relationship with universities. The partnerships with universities have multiple mutual benefits. The partnership is a good source of income for sustaining your agency. Moreover, prospective international students will be able to trust you more if you have a relationship with several universities abroad.
Similarly, the partner institutions also look for a study abroad company to help them identify and recruit students. For a newly established study abroad agency, it might be difficult to win the trust of good universities at the beginning itself. Also, most of the universities and institutions conduct thorough research about the study abroad consultancies before partnering with them.
There are many considerations universities take to decide if your study abroad agency is the right choice for them. Many aspects include:
- Your reputation in the market
- Your history
- Potential growth
- Aligning values
- Location coverage
- Diversity
- How well will you work with each other?
Here, we have enlisted few ways on how study abroad consultancies may attempt to tie-up with Universities.
How Study Abroad Consultancies can tie-up University Partnerships
Express your Interest in University Partnerships
Firstly, there are numerous ways to reach out to potential partner institutions. Expression of interest through a simple email or a phone call, which is easily available on their website, is the easiest method. Make contact with the designated person wherever applicable. Try to leave a positive first impression to help build a mutual relationship with the universities. To read more about making a good first impression, read more here →
Additionally, Attending educational fairs and seminars is a great way to get in touch with the representatives of the partner institution. You can express your interests and suitability directly in such gatherings. Inviting the representatives to visit your office to discuss your proposal can also be helpful.
Register or Fill Out Forms
Registering or filling out forms is a great way of establishing connections and expressing your interest to potential partner institutions. The majority of the universities have forms available on their websites and some may provide you upon request. Regardless of the procedures, registering or filling out forms will help you to let partner institutions assess your compatibility. This, in turn, will help to secure a stronger university partnership.
Show your Market Knowledge
Partner institutes like to have a partner with excellent market knowledge so make sure to demonstrate your market knowledge and back it up with some solid data, whenever possible.
Tell them about the market potential with your data-based market knowledge it will signal your seriousness toward the business. You must be able to answer all the queries related to the market size, popular courses, attitude, and perspectives of the students and their parents. Once you have all the answers, your next target will be finding the right way to get a grip on the market.
Stay Updated on Relevant Acts & Laws
Displaying Familiarity About Relevant Acts & Laws is a great way to take potential partners into confidence as it will reassure them about legal controversy-free dealings. For example, you are likely to build an instant rapport with Australian universities if you can demonstrate a good knowledge of the ESOS (Educational Services for Overseas Students) Act, the National Code, and CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutes and Courses for Overseas Students).
Have an Office Setup
A well-furnished and well-equipped office is a must to gain the confidence of potential partners as well as students. It also signals your long-term plan to stay in the industry. On the other hand, it adds to your credibility and reputation in the eyes of potential partner institutions and prospective students. Needless to say, every institution wants its local partners to have a well-equipped and efficient office.
Ensure you have Marketing Collaterals
Marketing collateral is one of the most important aspects for any company’s success in this industry especially if they are trying to stand out from competitors. It is important for a study abroad agency to have marketing collateral available for organisations who you are seeking to tie up with. This could be brochures and pamphlets, including your company’s mission and vision. You also include successful metrics, such as how many students you have enrolled in the last year to make your Education Agency look credible.
Final Thoughts
Reaching out to universities and colleges to partner may seem challenging. However, with these tips, study abroad consultancies can tie-up with university partnerships easily!