Education consultants may be paid by students, education providers or both. Because FES works with a broad network of partner institutions across multiple study destinations, some students may not have to pay any consultancy fee for counselling and application support. Initial counselling with FES is free of cost. However, university fees, visa charges, tests, medical examinations and other third-party expenses may still apply.
Money is one of the least discussed parts of studying abroad, even though it can influence both a student’s budget and the advice they receive.
Families may hear that a consultancy service is “free” without understanding how the agency is funded. Others may receive one combined price without knowing which amounts go to the consultant, university, testing organisation or government authority.
A transparent education consultant should explain:
which counselling and application services are free;
whether the university may pay the consultant a commission;
whether the student must pay any consultancy fee;
which costs are charged by universities or government authorities; and
which payments may be refundable.
Transparency does not require every education consultancy to use the same business model. It requires students to understand the model before committing to an application.
How education consultants are paid
There are three common payment arrangements.
University-paid commission
An education provider may pay an authorised education agent after a student enrols or reaches another agreed stage.
Under this model, the student may receive counselling or application support without paying a separate consultancy fee. The service is funded through the commercial relationship between the institution and the education consultant.
Because FES works with a large network of partner institutions, many students applying through FES may be able to receive counselling and application guidance without paying a consultancy fee.
Whether the complete service is free depends on factors including:
the chosen university;
the study destination;
the selected course;
the services required;
whether the institution is an FES partner; and
whether any specialised or additional support is requested.
Students should confirm the applicable fee arrangement with their FES counsellor before beginning an application.
Student-paid service fees
An education consultant may charge the student for defined services such as:
detailed university research;
applications to non-partner institutions;
document review;
interview preparation;
visa-process guidance;
English-language preparation; or
another specialised service.
The price may be charged per service, per application or as part of a package. Students should receive a written explanation of what is included and when an additional fee may apply.
A combination of both
An agency may receive commission from a university while charging the student separately for services that are not covered by the university relationship.
This is sometimes described as dual payment. In this arrangement, it is especially important to distinguish between:
services funded by a partner university;
services paid for by the student; and
costs paid directly to an external organisation.
Is the initial FES counselling session free?
Yes. The initial counselling session with FES Higher Education Consultants is free of cost.
During the initial consultation, an FES counsellor may discuss:
the student’s previous education;
academic grades and qualifications;
preferred subject area;
career interests;
available budget;
preferred countries;
English-language status; and
possible university and course options.
The purpose of the initial session is to help the student understand their realistic options before making a financial commitment.
A student can begin by exploring the destinations supported by FES through the FES countries directory. Students interested specifically in the United Kingdom can review the UK study destination page.
Free initial counselling does not mean that every later expense in the study abroad process is free. The counsellor should explain which FES services are covered and which external costs may still apply.
Can students apply through FES without paying consultancy fees?
In many cases, yes.
Because FES represents and works with numerous partner institutions, some universities may fund the counselling and recruitment support provided to students. As a result, eligible students applying to those institutions may not be charged a separate consultancy fee by FES.
This may include support with:
initial profile assessment;
destination and course discussions;
applications to selected partner institutions;
document checklists;
offer-letter guidance;
application progress updates; and
pre-departure preparation.
The exact arrangement can differ between universities, destinations and student cases.
Students should ask the following before starting:
Is my initial consultation free?
Is the recommended university an FES partner institution?
Will I be charged any consultancy or application-support fee?
Which services are included without charge?
Are there additional paid services?
Which payments must be made directly to the university or government?
A responsible counsellor should answer these questions clearly before the student commits.
FES partner institutions and study destinations
FES works with a broad network of education providers across major international study destinations.
This network can give students access to a wide selection of:
universities;
colleges;
pathway providers;
undergraduate courses;
postgraduate courses;
foundation programmes;
scholarships; and
specialised academic programmes.
Students can review the available destination categories through the FES countries page.
For example, students considering British universities can explore information through the study in the United Kingdom page.
Having many partner institutions can be useful because it allows counsellors to compare more than one university, city or course. However, recommendations should still be based on the student’s academic profile, budget and career plans.
A partner relationship should never replace proper course comparison. Students should understand why a particular institution has been recommended.
What does a university commission pay for?
Universities work with education agents for services including:
local student counselling;
course and destination awareness;
application support;
document coordination;
communication with prospective students;
student recruitment;
interview preparation;
pre-departure support; and
participation in education events.
Commission arrangements vary between institutions. The payment rate, eligible programmes and payment stage depend on the agreement between the university and the education agency.
Students do not normally need access to confidential commercial contracts. However, they should know whether the recommended institution is represented by the consultancy and whether that relationship may fund the service being provided.
Does commission create a conflict of interest?
University commission creates a potential conflict of interest, but it does not automatically mean that the advice is biased.
A conflict may arise when one institution pays the consultancy while another suitable institution does not. This could create a financial incentive to prioritise the paying institution.
A responsible education consultant should be able to explain:
whether it represents the recommended institution;
whether the institution may pay commission;
whether other suitable options were considered;
whether the student is being charged a consultancy fee; and
why the recommendation suits the student’s academic and financial circumstances.
The size of an agency’s partner network also matters. A consultancy with relationships across many universities and destinations may be able to compare a broader range of options than one representing only a small number of institutions.
However, students should still ask whether the shortlist includes only partner universities or also considers suitable non-partner options.
Meet universities through FES events and expos
FES regularly organises study abroad events, education expos and university engagement sessions.
These events allow students and families to:
meet university representatives;
compare multiple institutions in one place;
ask questions about courses and entry requirements;
discuss scholarships;
learn about application deadlines;
receive initial profile guidance;
understand tuition and living costs; and
explore several study destinations before deciding.
Students can learn more about major FES events such as:
Attending an event can help students verify information directly with university representatives instead of relying only on brochures, advertisements or social media posts.
Events may also provide access to application guidance, scholarship discussions and free counselling sessions. However, students should still read the official university terms before paying a deposit or accepting an offer.
What costs may students still encounter?
Even when FES counselling or consultancy support is free, studying abroad involves costs charged by other organisations.
These costs should not be combined into one unexplained figure.
University application fees
Some universities charge an application fee, while others accept applications without one.
The fee should be confirmed through the official university website, application portal or offer documentation.
Tuition deposits
A university may require a deposit before confirming enrolment or issuing documents required for a visa application.
Students should:
pay through the university’s verified payment method;
keep the payment receipt;
review the refund policy; and
confirm the deadline before transferring funds.
Government visa or study-permit fees
Visa and study-permit charges are paid under the official process of the destination country.
These payments are separate from consultancy fees. Amounts and requirements can change, so students should verify them through official government sources.
Health, biometric and examination costs
Depending on the destination, students may need to pay for:
medical examinations;
tuberculosis testing;
biometric enrolment;
health insurance;
immigration health charges; or
other required assessments.
English-language and admission tests
IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT and other examinations have separate registration charges where required.
FES may provide preparation or guidance, but the examination fee is normally paid to the relevant testing organisation.
Translation, verification and courier expenses
Documents may require:
certified translation;
academic verification;
attestation;
notarisation; or
courier delivery.
Students should know who provides the service and who receives the payment.
Accommodation and travel costs
Accommodation deposits, flights and transport are separate from consultancy services.
Students should use verified providers and understand cancellation and refund terms before paying.
What a written cost breakdown should contain
Before paying, request a document identifying:
The name of each service or charge.
The amount and currency.
The person or organisation receiving the payment.
Whether the charge is paid to FES, the university or another provider.
The payment deadline.
Whether the amount is refundable.
The circumstances affecting a refund.
Whether further charges may arise.
Whether the institution may pay FES a commission.
Which counselling or application services are free.
Do not pay an amount that cannot be clearly explained.
Questions to ask about FES fees and university commissions
Students can ask an FES counsellor:
Is the initial counselling session completely free?
Is there any consultancy fee for my chosen university?
Is the university an FES partner institution?
Which services will FES provide without charge?
Are there any optional paid services?
Does the university pay FES a commission?
Are non-partner universities also considered?
Will I pay my tuition deposit directly to the university?
Will I receive a receipt for each payment?
Which payments are refundable?
What happens if I receive no offer?
What happens if the university withdraws the course?
What happens if my visa is refused?
Can I review the full terms before paying?
Clear questions are not a sign of distrust. They are normal financial due diligence.
Understanding “free counselling”
When FES describes the initial counselling as free, it means the student is not charged for the first profile discussion and initial guidance session.
Depending on the chosen partner institution and service arrangement, students may also receive further application support without paying a consultancy fee.
However, students should distinguish between:
free initial counselling;
free consultancy or application support;
university-funded agency services;
optional paid services; and
external costs charged by universities, testing organisations or governments.
“Free counselling” does not mean that tuition, visa fees, tests, medical examinations, accommodation or travel are free.
The complete cost structure should be explained before an application is submitted.
Refunds are controlled by different policies
There may be several separate refund policies during one study abroad journey:
the consultancy’s service-fee policy;
the university’s application-fee policy;
the university’s tuition-deposit policy;
an accommodation provider’s cancellation policy;
a test provider’s rescheduling policy; and
government rules concerning visa fees.
One organisation normally cannot override another organisation’s terms.
For example, FES may help a student understand or submit a university refund request, but the university makes the final decision under its own policy.
Ask for the relevant refund policy before making each payment.
How to reduce financial risk
Pay the correct recipient
Use verified university and government payment channels.
When paying FES for a defined service, confirm that the account belongs to the organisation and obtain an official receipt.
Avoid unexplained cash payments
Cash payments can make the purpose and recipient harder to prove.
When cash is unavoidable, request a detailed signed receipt showing:
the amount;
the date;
the service;
the recipient; and
the applicable refund terms.
Keep a complete payment record
Save:
invoices;
receipts;
bank confirmations;
university offer letters;
refund terms; and
payment-related correspondence.
Record the date, amount, currency, recipient and purpose of every transaction.
Do not fund a plan you do not understand
Before paying a university deposit, understand:
the course;
the campus;
the duration;
the total tuition fee;
estimated living costs;
scholarship conditions;
visa requirements; and
refund terms.
A low initial deposit does not necessarily mean that the overall study plan is affordable.
Be cautious with urgency
Real application and deposit deadlines exist, but urgency should be supported by official university information.
Do not transfer money only because someone claims that a place or scholarship will disappear immediately.
How compensation should affect university choice
Students should ask to see the reasoning behind every recommendation.
A suitable course should still make sense after the university’s relationship with FES has been disclosed.
The explanation should cover:
academic fit;
published entry requirements;
course content;
tuition fees;
living costs;
scholarship opportunities;
location;
career relevance; and
the student’s long-term plans.
FES’s broad partner network can provide students with several options to compare, but the final decision should still be based on the student’s needs rather than the existence of a commercial relationship.
Discussing costs with FES
Before beginning an application, students should ask their FES counsellor for a clear explanation of:
whether the initial counselling is free;
whether their selected institution is an FES partner;
whether any consultancy fee applies;
which services are included;
which costs must be paid to third parties;
applicable refund conditions; and
how payments should be made.
FES was established in 2003 and holds ICEF Agency Status, ID 2750, which can be verified through the official ICEF profile.
Students can also compare destinations through the FES countries directory, review information about studying in the United Kingdom, or meet institutions through events such as the Study Abroad Fest 2026 and the FES Mega Expo.
External credentials and university relationships are useful evidence, but students should still understand the financial terms of their individual application.
Frequently asked questions
Is initial counselling at FES free?
Yes. The initial counselling session is free of cost. Students can discuss their academic profile, budget, destination preferences and possible university options without paying for the first consultation.
Do students have to pay a consultancy fee to FES?
Not necessarily. Because FES works with many partner institutions, some students may receive counselling and application support without paying a consultancy fee.
The arrangement depends on the university, destination and services required. Students should confirm the exact terms with their counsellor.
Does free consultancy mean the complete study abroad process is free?
No. Students may still need to pay university fees, tuition deposits, visa charges, tests, medical costs, document expenses, accommodation and travel costs.
Why can FES provide some services without charging the student?
Some partner institutions may pay FES a commission for authorised recruitment and student-support services. This can allow eligible students to receive counselling or application assistance without paying a separate consultancy fee.
Do all universities pay education-agent commission?
No. Arrangements vary by institution, programme, destination and agency agreement.
Ask whether the specific university under discussion is an FES partner and whether it may fund the consultancy service.
Does commission increase my tuition fee?
The university determines its published tuition fee and commercial arrangements.
Students should compare the amount shown on their official offer and invoice with the university’s published information.
Should I pay a tuition deposit to FES?
Students should normally pay through the university’s verified payment method unless the university has confirmed another authorised arrangement.
Always verify account details independently before transferring a large amount.
Will I receive a refund if my visa is refused?
That depends on the separate policies of FES, the university, government authorities and third-party providers.
Do not assume that one refund rule applies to every payment.
Can I meet university representatives before applying?
FES regularly organises events and expos where students can meet representatives, compare institutions and discuss available programmes.
Examples include the Study Abroad Fest 2026 and the FES Mega Expo.
Related reading
Education Consultants in Pakistan: Services, Costs and How to Choose One
15 Questions to Ask a Study Abroad Consultant
How to Choose a Reliable Study Abroad Consultant in Pakistan
Sources
Australian Government Department of Education: Education agents
British Council: How agents help international students prepare for the UK
ICEF Agent Quality Assurance
UK Student visa guidance
Government of Canada study permit guidance
Australian Department of Home Affairs Student visa guidance
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