British Council | Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy

The British Council is an international organization in the UK that focuses on cultural exchanges. It was founded in 1934 and is a non-profit organization.

The association is committed to promoting the expansion and exchange of British culture, education, and international relations. It has rich resources and experience in the field of English teaching and assessment. For example, the IELTS test is jointly managed by the British Council and other institutions.

The specific activities and services of the British Council include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide comprehensive British education and cultural consulting services to help international students successfully enter British higher education institutions to study;

• Organize various lectures and activities related to the UK;

• Open general English learning and IELTS boutique small-class teaching taught by senior IELTS examiners;

• Launch an English assessment system, covering a variety of assessment products and services, such as IELTS, Aptis, A-level, IGCSE, Oxford and Cambridge entrance examinations, and supporting services, to provide partners with a full-process language assessment solution from enrollment to graduation;

• Organize and participate in various academic cooperation and exchange activities to promote academic exchanges between different countries;

• Organize cultural activities such as the China-UK Accessible Art Forum to advocate equality, diversity and inclusion in culture and art.

On March 21, 2024, at the "Shine 2024" British Council Examination Department Annual Meeting and IELTS Partner Awards Ceremony hosted by the British Council (IELTS exam organizer), 51offer was awarded the title of "IELTS Global Study Abroad Excellence Partner" for its outstanding contribution to IELTS candidate training in 2023.

Internationally, the British Council has cooperation and exchanges with many countries and regions. For example, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) recently signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the British Council, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) officially joined the "IELTS China Higher Education Partner Program". From December 2 to 3, 2023, the British Council and Beijing Shenshenbuxi Cultural Exchange Center jointly held the 5th China-UK Accessible Art Forum at the Guangzhou Cloud Curtain Theater.

We promote world peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and around the world.

With the UKs deep heritage in culture, art, education and English language, and relying on the associations network and influence in more than 100 countries and regions around the world, we have unparalleled access to young people and opinion leaders, and spark creativity in collaboration.

We help individuals acquire skills, build confidence and make connections, bring changes to their lives, and work with the UK to shape a better world. We support them to build interpersonal networks, explore creativity, learn English, receive high-quality education, and obtain internationally recognized qualifications.

The British Council has maintained a cooperative relationship with China since 1979. We operate as the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy in Beijing and the Cultural and Education Section of the British Consulate-General in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing. Our exam services in China are operated as a Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise.