Online agency for UK school placements

Overseas families pay you or their local agent. UK schools may also pay a commission for students you place with them.

Service fees per student, plus commission from schools or homestay providers where agreed. Each placement can be worth more than a short homestay, but trust takes time to build.

• Knowledge of UK schools and admissions
• Clear writing and good email manners
• Selling and relationship building across time zones
• Attention to detail with paperwork

• Student visa and visitor rules change and depend on age and course length. Check current Home Office guidance, and never promise visa outcomes
• Safeguarding duties apply when you arrange care or homestay for under-18s. Check what checks and policies schools and partners expect
• Check who holds client money and refund terms, since deposits can be large
• Professional indemnity insurance and ICO registration for handling personal data
• Overseas agents and agreements, such as exchange rates and late payments, can make cash flow uncertain

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £2,000 to £8,000, depending on your website, insurance, marketing and how you set up partnerships with agents abroad. Costs will vary with the scale of your service.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,000 to £6,000, depending on how many students you place and your fees or commissions. Overseas agents and exchange rates can make cash flow uncertain, so plan for late payments.

Things to check: current Home Office visa guidance (never promise visa outcomes), safeguarding duties for under-18s, who holds client money and refund terms, and professional indemnity insurance and ICO registration for handling personal data.