Yes. An applicant can compare an agent’s verbal description with its current written service agreement by turning each spoken claim into a checklist item. The key is whether the services, fees, purposes, timing and stated conditions appear consistently in both versions.
Any material difference should be explained and confirmed in writing before the applicant proceeds. The comparison is a practical consistency check, not a ruling on which statement has legal effect.
What to compare
The agent’s verbal description should be checked against the agreement and any linked schedules or fee documents:
| Point discussed | What to locate in writing |
|---|---|
| Services | The specific actions the agent says it will perform and the stage of the application to which they relate |
| Fees | Whether fees are charged, the full list of potential fees, what each is for and when payment is expected |
| Conditions | Any limitations, dependencies or exclusions mentioned during the discussion |
| Refunds or cancellations | The exact written terms, including any circumstances that affect repayment |
| Other claims | Any statement about status, authorisation or responsibilities that formed part of the discussion |
British Council good-practice guidance states that students expect education agents to be open, honest and transparent. UKCISA’s student guide advises asking whether any fees are charged and requesting a list of all potential fees, what they are for and when they are expected.
How to conduct the check
A student can follow a simple process:
- Write down the verbal description soon afterwards. Focus on concrete services, amounts, purposes, deadlines, conditions and exceptions rather than general assurances.
- Obtain the current written service agreement. Ask whether it includes separate schedules, fee sheets or other documents.
- Match each verbal claim with the corresponding wording. Mark it as matched, absent, different or unclear.
- Request clarification in writing. If the conversation and the agreement differ, ask which description applies and request any necessary correction.
- Retain the relevant versions. Keeping the agreement, supporting documents and written clarifications makes the comparison easier if the description later changes.
A mismatch may reflect an omission, a misunderstanding or an outdated document; the difference alone does not establish wrongdoing or determine the agreement’s legal meaning.
What still needs confirmation
The cited guidance does not provide a fixed fee, refund period, cancellation rule, service-specific deadline or model service agreement. The applicant must therefore confirm those details in the actual written terms.
It also does not establish that a verbal statement automatically overrides, replaces or becomes part of the written agreement. If the legal effect of an oral statement is important, the applicant should seek independent legal advice rather than assuming the outcome.