Introduction

When families research studying medicine in Europe or applying to medical universities abroad, they compare tuition fees, entry requirements, and rankings.

What they rarely examine is how study abroad agencies are paid — and how that financial structure can influence university recommendations.

Understanding how medical school application agencies earn is essential for parents and future medical students making high-stakes decisions about their child’s education and career.

How Study Abroad Agencies Make Money

In international education, there are three common revenue models:

1. Commission paid by medical universities when a student enrols.

2. Fees paid directly by families for application strategy and mentoring.

3. A hybrid model combining both.

Commission-based study abroad agencies are common across the medical education sector. The existence of commission is not the issue. The transparency around it is.

The “Free Agency” Model Explained

Some agencies advertise “free support” for studying medicine abroad.

In most cases, this means the university pays the agency a commission when the student enrols.

If an agency’s income depends entirely on specific medical universities in Europe, its revenue is directly linked to where students go.

Over time, this can naturally influence recommendations toward:

• Universities that pay higher commissions

• Universities with faster application processing

• Universities with higher acceptance rates

Not necessarily those that best match a student’s academic profile, financial situation, or long-term career goals.

Many agencies present themselves as working with “dozens” of universities across Europe. However, in practice, a large percentage of their students may still end up in the same country or even the same university year after year.

This is not always because that option is the best academic fit. Often, it is simply the most commercially aligned with the agency’s business model.

When Advice Becomes Pressure

In some cases, families notice that the “guidance” they receive starts to feel more like a sales process than an educational consultation. We dealt with many students which faced this issue with other study abroad agencies.

Agencies that rely heavily on commission from a specific university may become noticeably pushy, especially as application deadlines approach. Students are often told that a specific university is the “only realistic option” or that they must decide quickly to secure a place, even when other suitable universities exist.

This pressure usually comes from the agency’s internal targets rather than the student’s best academic or financial interests. Instead of exploring several countries, entry routes, or budget levels, the conversation is narrowed down to one or two preferred institutions — typically those that pay the highest commission or process applications the fastest. For families, this can create a false sense of urgency and limit their freedom of choice at a moment when careful comparison and honest advice matter most.

A good advisor should present multiple pathways, explain the pros and cons of each option, and give families time to make an informed decision — not steer them toward a single “favourite” university.

When “Choice” Is More Limited Than It Seems

In some cases, families only discover the limitations of an agency’s network after the process has already started.

For example:

• A student decides they prefer a different country after research.

• A parent becomes concerned about recognition or long-term career pathways.

• The student does not meet the entry requirements of the agency’s “main” university.

At this point, some agencies may:

• Struggle to offer meaningful alternatives.

• Have limited knowledge of other admission systems.

• Redirect the student back to their preferred partner university.

• Recommend options based on commission structures rather than student fit.

This can place families in a difficult position — especially when they assumed the agency was offering fully independent guidance.

In high-stakes decisions like medical, dental, or veterinary studies, it is important to work with an advisor like Desire2Study who can genuinely recommend multiple countries and universities, not just the ones that are easiest or most profitable to place students in.

How Commission Structures Can Influence Recommendations

Bias does not require bad intentions. It often emerges from incentive structures.

Imagine two medical universities in Europe:

• University A pays an agency a higher commission.

• University B offers lower tuition fees and stronger clinical exposure.

If the agency only earns money when a student enrols at University A, the recommendation may naturally lean in that direction — even if University B would be a better fit.

This doesn’t always happen intentionally. It is often the result of how the system is designed. That’s why understanding the financial model behind an agency matters as much as understanding the university itself.

Three Common Agency Models Compared

Commission-Only Model

The university pays the agency. Families usually pay nothing directly. Advice may be limited to partner universities.

Fee-Based Mentoring Model

Families pay for application strategy and support. The agency is accountable to the student and parent. Recommendations are typically broader and more personalised.

Hybrid Model

Families pay a fee, and the agency also receives commission from universities. Transparency is essential to avoid conflicts of interest.

Why Transparency Protects Students

Parents exploring medical universities in Europe should clearly understand:

• How is the agency paid?

• Does the agency charge for its time?

• Can it recommend universities that do not pay commission?

• What happens if the best academic option is not the most profitable one?

Studying medicine abroad is a life-changing decision. Transparency around commission and fees helps families make informed, confident choices.

How Desire2Study Is Structured

Desire2Study operates on a mentoring-first model.

Families invest in structured, one-to-one application support, strategy, and preparation. This means the primary accountability is to the student and their long-term success — not to a specific university.

Desire2Study:

• Charges families for personalised application mentoring.

• Recommends universities based on academic fit, budget, and career goals.

• Works with multiple recognised EU medical universities across Europe.

• Students choose the medical university, not us.

This structure allows recommendations to remain student-focused rather than commission-driven.

Questions Every Parent Should Ask a Study Abroad Agency

Before choosing an agency, it is worth asking a few simple but important questions:

• How do you get paid?

• Do you charge families for your services?

• How many universities do you really work with?

  
  

Clear answers to these questions usually reveal how the agency truly operates.

Final Thought

The study abroad industry is not inherently unethical. But it is financially structured.

Understanding how study abroad agencies really make money allows parents and students to evaluate recommendations with clarity.

In medical education, clarity matters.

FAQ: Study Abroad Agencies

How can I tell if a study abroad agency is giving honest advice?

Ask how they are paid, how many universities they genuinely work with, and whether they can recommend options that are not their main partners. Honest agencies are transparent about their business model and comfortable discussing alternatives.

What should parents ask before choosing a study abroad agency?

Before committing, it’s worth having a conversation with the agency and asking:

• How do you get paid?

• How many universities do you actively place students in each year?

• What happens if the best option for my child is not one of your main partner universities?

• Can you explain why you are recommending this specific university?

Clear, confident answers usually indicate a transparent and student-focused approach.

Can an agency still help if my child changes their preferred country or university?

That depends on the agency’s experience and structure. Some agencies specialise in one country or a small number of universities, which can limit their flexibility. Others work across multiple destinations and can adjust the strategy if the student’s plans change.

Is it better to work with an agency or apply independently?

Both options are possible. Some families prefer to handle the process themselves, while others choose structured guidance to avoid mistakes, missed deadlines, or choosing the wrong university. The key is to understand the real value the agency provides and whether their advice is aligned with the student’s goals.

What matters more: the university or the agency?

Both matter. A good university is essential, but the right guidance can make a major difference in choosing the correct country, preparing for entrance exams, and avoiding costly mistakes. The best outcomes usually come from a strong university choice combined with honest, experienced mentoring.