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English in the UKWelcome to the British Council’s website for learning English in the UK. The British Council is committed to inspecting and accrediting quality English language centres. It is an internationally recognised badge of quality for all ELT markets. English language students and education agents can find lots of information and resources on learning English in the UK and living in the UK. English language providers can find information on the ELT market and the British Council’s accreditation scheme. |
Finding a school
Search here for an English language course that suits you best, and find out more about studying English in the UK.
The UK is the home of the English language. Over 600,000 students come to the UK each year to learn English, to make new friends and to experience life in the UK. We can offer you a wide range of high quality courses in locations all over the UK.
British Council accreditation
Studying at a British Council accredited school means that you can be assured the school has met our high standards. Independent inspectors carry out regular inspections of all our schools, which include checks on teaching, premises and accommodation. The British Council also has an independent complaints procedure to help you in case you have a problem whilst you are studying. Our aim is to make sure that students studying at accredited schools are protected and enjoy a quality learning experience in the UK. Find out more about accreditation.
Search for a course
Use these search engines to find the perfect course in the perfect location. You can search by type and length of course, location, age range, and accommodation:
Education UK
English UK
English in Britain
A guide for students
Download our brochure about studying English in the UK, for information on different types of centres and course, accommodation and location options. Available below in eleven different languages.
Directory of accredited schools
Download our directory of British Council accredited schools. You will find contact details for all our schools in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Available below.
Find out about studying in the UK to make sure you make the best choice. We offer a wide range of courses, including General English, Business English, English for Specific and Academic Purposes and Vacation Courses. Further information.
Agents
Access information and resources designed to support education agents who work with UK English language centres and students who are considering international study.
The British Council is committed to inspecting and accrediting quality English language centres. It is an internationally recognised badge of quality for all ELT markets.
Education agent’s guide to studying English in the UK
Download our agent’s guide for information on the UK English language teaching offer, including types of courses on offer, quality assurance and what life in the UK is like for international students.
UK visas
British Council accreditation remains valid for:
Students from the European Economic Area (EEA)
Student Visitor Visa (SVV) for English language courses of up to 11 months
Children on short courses (Child visitors)
It is important to find out what type of visa you need in order to be able study in the UK. The application process can take some time so make sure you apply well in advance. The Education UK website provides lots of information on applying for a visa. The type of study visa needed will depend on your age, the length of the course and the level of the course that you want to study.
The UK Border Agency website also provides useful information.
Education UK agent training programme
The agent training programme has been redesigned and has now been launched across British Council offices worldwide. The programme involves attending workshops, two online modules and a final written exam. It covers the UK education system, living in the UK and visa requirements. Email agent.training@britishcouncil.org to find out how to become a British Council-certified agent.
English UK Partner Agency Scheme
Download essential information for education agents, which includes lots of useful information on living in the UK, learning in the UK, and visas and immigration.
English UK runs events for agents enabling you to meet face-to-face with English language centres. Find out more about inward missions, boutique fairs and StudyWorld.
The Partner Agency Scheme recognises educational agencies and consultancies that are successfully promoting the UK as an English language teaching destination. Find out more.
British Council offices
We operate in over 100 countries and territories world-wide. Find contact details for all British Council offices around the world.
UK English teaching providers
We promote the UK as an English language study destination on behalf of our accredited schools to students and agents worldwide.
The British Council is committed to inspecting and accrediting quality English language centres. It is an internationally recognised badge of quality for all ELT markets.
We accredit a range of centres all over the UK, including private language schools (of all sizes), multicentre summer schools, colleges, universities, boarding schools and home tuition.
Accreditation UK
Accreditation UK - www.britishcouncil.org/accreditation - is the place to find all the information you need about quality assurance for UK providers of English language teaching. Accreditation provides students with a guarantee of choice and quality.
Accredited language providers can access our Accredited Zone for up-to-date information on inspection deadlines, pre-inspection briefings, standards and criteria and latest scheme developments.
Language providers interested in accreditation can access information, advice and documentation on how to become accredited. Click here for further information.
Market reports
We aim to provide up-to-date information to accredited English language providers about the English language sector. Download our recent market intelligence report on English Language Market Report: Spain written by Jan Kingsley, Executive Director of ASPEL.
This report is the first in a series of market intelligence reports on English language student markets around the world. Future reports in the series are expected to focus on Brazil, China, Turkey, Italy and Mexico.
Fairs and exhibitions
The British Council attends many language travel fairs and exhibitions each year, and is a key sponsor of English UK fairs. These events are a great opportunity for the British Council to meet with accredited schools and agents on a one-to-one basis. Meeting face-to-face with agents enables us to emphasise that British Council accreditation continues to be valid for student visitor and extended student visitor visas. We also discuss the value of accreditation as quality assurance in ELT, the rigorous inspection process all schools go through, and the benefits of studying and living in the UK.
Education UK course finder databases
All British Council accredited providers can be listed free of charge in the Education UK search tool. To find out how to get listed or update your details click here.
English UK Professional Service
Annual conferences take place in the UK including ELT Marketing Conference, Teacher’s Conference and ELT Management Conference.
Training days, including topics such as welfare, management and technology in the classroom, take place regularly throughout the year.
English UK offer an Accreditation Consultancy Scheme to help centres prepare for British Council inspection.
Living in the UK
Discover what it's like to live in the UK! The UK has a vibrant cultural scene and a fascinating heritage ready to explore. At any one time more than a quarter of a million international students are studying here so you’ll fit straight into the UK’s multicultural society, and enjoy a student life full of excitement, fun and creativity.
Scroll down to watch the video below and learn about the advantages of a trip to Northern Ireland.
Discover English in the UK
Watch this video to find out why over 600,000 students a year come to study English in the UK – the birthplace of the English language.
Life in the UK
Education UK – access up-to-date information and guidance on all aspects of living and studying in the UK. Find out more about arranging your travel to the UK and the range of international student accommodation options the UK has to offer.
Visit Britain will give you a taster of what it’s like in the UK. Find lots of tourist information on UK travel, attractions and events.
Travelling around the UK is easy. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are very close together and you can use the UK’s national air, rail, coach and bus networks – often at student discount rates:
National Express Coaches
National Rail
Lastminute.com
Culture 24 is a searchable database of over 3000 galleries, museums and heritage sites.
Visas and immigration
British Council accreditation remains valid for:
Students from the European Economic Area (EEA)
Student Visitor Visa (SVV) for English language courses of up to 11 months
Children on short courses (Child visitors)
It is important to find out what type of visa you need to be able study in the UK. The application process can take some time so make sure you apply well in advance. The Education UK website provides lots of information on applying for a visa. The type of study visa needed will depend on your age, the length of the course and the level of the course that you want to study.
The UK Border Agency website also provides useful information.
English Opens Doors - Study in Northern Ireland Video
This video highlights what Northern Ireland has to offer as a quality destination to learn English. Hear firsthand from international students studying in Northern Ireland.
