The British Council

The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. Established in 1934 and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1940, its core mission is to build connections, understanding, and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide, thereby supporting peace and prosperity. The organisation promotes a wider knowledge of the UK and the English language abroad, fostering cultural, scientific, technological, and educational cooperation. Its headquarters are located in Stratford, London, UK.

The British Council's key activities span arts and culture, education, and the English language. It offers English language teaching, conducts examinations such as IELTS, and provides various educational opportunities, including promoting UK education through initiatives like Study UK. The organisation works with individuals, governments, and partners across the education, English language, and cultural sectors globally to deliver its programs and services.

Operating in over 100 countries and territories, the British Council reaches millions of people annually. Scott McDonald serves as the Chief Executive, with Paul Thompson as the Chair. Recent activities include becoming the national agency for Erasmus+ in April 2026 and funding UK-Germany social arts partnerships in February 2026. However, the organisation has also faced financial challenges, with reports in October 2025 indicating plans to close operations in some countries and sell assets to repay a government loan.