The most flattering early meetings are often with partners who want an international name on the wall. That is not the same as a partner who can deliver your students.

Read the licence, not the brochure #

Ask where they are allowed to recruit, which qualifications they already teach, and who owns the student relationship. Enthusiasm that sits outside the licence becomes your compliance problem later.

Students they already have #

The right partner already speaks to the family you want. If you have to create that audience from zero, you are funding a start-up, not entering a market.

A short no is useful #

Declining a keen partner early is cheaper than unwinding a signed pathway. Fit is a reason to proceed, not a mood in the room.