The British Council is a useful source of information and advice for parents and students living outside the UK
The purpose of the British Council is to build mutually beneficial relationships between people in the UK and other countries. It works to increase international recognition of the range and quality of learning opportunities from the UK.
The quality of the UK education system is recognised as world class and support for international students is second to none. If you are considering a UK education for your child, then the British Council is a useful source of information and advice. The British Council can help parents and students prepare for this exciting adventure and offer a range of resources providing information on courses, qualifications, institutions, English language requirements, visas and travel.
Accreditation UK
If your child is planning to study at a UK boarding school, they may want to come to the UK to take a short language course to prepare themselves for studying in English. The British Council, through its Accreditation UK scheme, currently accredits more than 450 UK private language schools, boarding schools, international study centres, colleges and universities. The scheme is managed by the British Council in partnership with English UK. Accredited institutions are inspected by independent English language teaching experts on a regular basis, and must show that they have achieved and maintained high standards in teaching English. Inspectors also look at how the institution takes care of students’ welfare, and at the accommodation, leisure facilities and learning resources it provides.
International study centres that aim to prepare international students for a UK boarding school education by teaching English language and mainstream subjects can request additional inspection under the criteria for international study centres. This inspection includes observation of the teaching of subjects other than English, discussion with relevant staff and inspection of the resources for subject-specific courses in addition to inspection of the English language teaching on offer.
You can find out more about the institutions inspected under the scheme by visiting www.britishcouncil.org/accreditation or by contacting the British Council’s Accreditation Unit (tel: +44 (0)161 957 7692; e-mail: accreditation.unit@britishcouncil.org). If you are unable to come to the UK to study, you can still learn English at one of the British Council’s English language teaching centres. The British Council also provides an online learning service through its website.
The British Council provides a wide range of information about studying and living in the UK, including the Study UK website. You can also visit British Council offices worldwide. Contact details can be found by visiting www.britishcouncil.org. For general enquiries about the British Council and its work, contact:
British Council Customer Service UK
Bridgewater House,
58 Whitworth Street
Manchester
M1 6BB
Tel: +44 (0)161 957 7755
Web: www.britishcouncil.org/contact