DfE to investigate claims of bad practice in recruitment of international students

Students registering. University leaders say the Sunday Times’ reporting unfairly compared requirements on non-degree courses with those of degree courses. Photograph: Campus Shots/Alamy

The Department for Education is to investigate allegations of bad practice by agents who recruit international students to study at British universities.

It follows reports over the weekend claiming that overseas students are being admitted to prestigious institutions while subject to lower entry requirements than domestic students.