Transparency
How education advisers are paid
Education advisers use three distinct compensation models. Each has different implications for whose interests the adviser is incentivised to serve. Vianorr Education requires every adviser to disclose their fee model before a student contacts them — and to keep that disclosure current as their arrangements change.
You pay the adviser a fixed fee directly. The amount is disclosed before you engage. The adviser receives no payment from schools, so their income does not depend on where you enrol.
Advantages
- ✓No financial conflict of interest in school selection
- ✓Clear scope of service agreed upfront
- ✓Adviser incentive is your satisfaction, not your enrolment destination
Considerations
- →Upfront cost to student
- →Fee does not disappear if your application is unsuccessful
Typically suits
Students who want independent advice across many institutions, or who are comparing a wide shortlist.
The adviser receives a commission from the school when you enrol through them. The student pays nothing directly. The adviser's income depends on where you enrol — and commission rates vary by school and program.
Advantages
- ✓No direct cost to student
- ✓Adviser has real relationships with partner institutions and knows their processes
Considerations
- →Adviser income depends on which school you choose — potential conflict of interest
- →They may not represent schools that pay lower commissions
- →Partner school list may not include the best option for you
Typically suits
Students who have already narrowed their shortlist to a small number of institutions and want help with the application process.
The adviser charges a reduced student fee and also receives commissions from some partner schools. Both revenue streams must be disclosed. This model has elements of both conflicts — and requires especially detailed disclosure.
Advantages
- ✓Lower student fee than a fully student-paid model
- ✓Some partial independence from school commissions
Considerations
- →School commission conflict still partially applies
- →Disclosure must be read carefully to understand which schools pay commissions
- →More complex to evaluate than either pure model
Typically suits
Students who want some independent guidance but cannot afford full student-paid fees.
Fee model by provider type
Provider type and fee model are related but not the same thing. Knowing the type of provider tells you what they do; knowing their fee model tells you how their income interacts with your school choice.
| Provider type | Typical fee model | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Independent adviser | Student-paid | No institutional commission relationships. Paid entirely by student. |
| Commissioned agent | School commission | Paid by partner institutions. Free for students who enrol through them. |
| Mixed-model agency | Hybrid | Receives commissions and may also charge student fees for some services. |
| Graduate specialist | Usually student-paid | Graduate admissions work is almost always student-paid; no school commission model for research programs. |
| K–12 specialist | Usually student-paid | Later phase on Vianorr; typically student-paid or family-paid. |
| Adjacent specialist | Student-paid | Test prep, translation, portfolio — always direct fee. |
Mixed-model agencies require especially detailed fee disclosures because both revenue streams operate simultaneously.