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{{Short description|Organisation promoting cultural and linguistic knowledge of the United Kingdom}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox organization
| name                = British Council
| logo                = British Council logo 2020.svg
| type                = [[Cultural institution]]
| founded_date        = {{start date and age|1934}}
| founder             = British government
| headquarters        = 1 Redman Place, [[Stratford, London|Stratford]], London E20 1JQ, England, United Kingdom
| origins             =
| key_people          = {{Nowrap|[[Paul Thompson (arts administrator)|Paul Thompson]] (chair)<br />[[Scott McDonald (CEO)|Scott McDonald]] (chief executive)}}
| area_served         = Worldwide
| product             = British [[Culture of Britain|cultural]] and language education
| focus               =
| method              =
| revenue             = £924,965,472<ref name="charitycom">{{cite web |title=THE BRITISH COUNCIL - Charity 209131 |url=https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/209131/charity-overview |publisher=[[Charity Commission for England and Wales]] |access-date=9 May 2022 |archive-date=9 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509175838/https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/209131/charity-overview |url-status=live }}</ref>
| revenue_year        = 2020–21
| expenses            = £1,015,114,434<ref name="charitycom"/>
| expenses_year       = 2020–21
| endowment           =
| num_volunteers      =
| num_employees       =
| num_members         =
| subsid              =
| owner               =
| Non-profit_slogan   =
| homepage            = [https://www.britishcouncil.org/ www.britishcouncil.org]
| dissolved           =
| footnotes           =
}}
[[File:British Council Delhi Launch of Mix The City Delhi, 6 April 2017.jpg|thumb|British Council Delhi launch of Mix The City Delhi, 6 April 2017]]
[[File:British Council Hong Kong 201212.jpg|thumb|British Council building in [[Hong Kong]]|alt=]]

The '''British Council''' is a British organisation specialising in international cultural and educational opportunities. It works in over 100 countries promoting a wider knowledge of the United Kingdom and the [[English language]] (and the [[Patagonian Welsh|Welsh language in Argentina]]<ref>{{cite web| url = https://wales.britishcouncil.org/en/programmes/education/welsh-language-project| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140822025931/http://wales.britishcouncil.org/en/programmes/education/welsh-language-project| archive-date = 2014-08-22| title = Welsh Language Project {{!}} British Council}}</ref>); encouraging cultural, scientific, technological and educational cooperation with the United Kingdom. The organisation has been called a [[soft power]] extension of UK foreign policy,<ref>{{Cite web|date=7 July 2021|title=The subtle art of soft power|author= Biswas, K|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/Robert-winder-soft-power-great-game-review|url-status=live|website=[[New Statesman]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707163303/https://www.newstatesman.com/Robert-winder-soft-power-great-game-review |archive-date=7 July 2021 |access-date = 9 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Baker|first=Luke|date=2020-06-26|title=Britain rescues its 'soft-power' branch after heavy COVID blow|language=en|publisher=[[Reuters]]|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-council-idUSKBN23X1NK|access-date=19 August 2021|archive-date=19 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819100126/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-council-idUSKBN23X1NK|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as a tool for [[propaganda]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Beeley |first1=Sir Harold |title=The Changing Role of British International Propaganda |journal=The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science |date=November 1971 |volume=CCCXCVIII |issue=Propaganda in International Affairs |pages=124–129 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1038927 |access-date=20 February 2022 |publisher=Sage Publications |doi=10.1177/000271627139800114 |jstor=1038927 |s2cid=146718416 |language=English |format=Online |quote=Britain's international propaganda is conducted through three principal agencies: the official Information Service, the External Services of the British Broadcasting Corporation, and the British Council. |archive-date=20 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220202652/https://www.jstor.org/stable/1038927 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

The British Council is governed by a [[Royal charter#United Kingdom|royal charter]]. It is also a [[Government-owned corporation|public corporation]] and an executive [[non-departmental public body]], sponsored by the [[Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office]]. Its headquarters are in [[Stratford, London|Stratford]], London. Its chair is [[Paul Thompson (administrator)|Paul Thompson]] and its chief executive is Scott McDonald.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dr Paul Thompson appointed chair of The British Council |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/news/dr-paul-thompson-appointed-chair-of-the-british-council |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=The Bookseller |language=En}}</ref><ref name="guardian-20250125" />

==History==
=== 1930s-40s ===
In 1934, the British Foreign Office officials created the "British Committee for Relations with Other Countries" to support English education abroad, promote British culture and fight the rise of the extreme ideologies of communism and fascism.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our history |url=https://www.britishcouncil.org/about-us/history |access-date= |website=The British Council}}</ref> The name quickly became the British Council for Relations with Other Countries. In 1936, the organisation's name was officially shortened to the British Council.<ref name="Donaldson-1">{{cite book|last=Donaldson|first=Frances|title=The British Council: the first fifty years|url=https://archive.org/details/britishcouncilfi0000dona|url-access=registration|year=1984|publisher=J. Cape|location=London|isbn=0-224-02041-2}}</ref>

The British Council opened its first four offices in [[Bucharest]] ([[Romania]]), [[Cairo]] ([[Egypt]]), [[Lisbon]] ([[Portugal]]) and [[Warsaw]] ([[Poland]]) in 1938.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishcouncil.ro/en/about/british-council-romania|title=British Council Romania|publisher=British Council|location=Romania|access-date=4 January 2017|archive-date=5 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105083553/https://www.britishcouncil.ro/en/about/british-council-romania|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishcouncil.org.eg/en/about|title=About British Council Egypt|publisher=British Council|access-date=1 May 2016|archive-date=7 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507161157/http://www.britishcouncil.org.eg/en/about|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="britishcouncil.pt">[https://www.britishcouncil.pt/sobre/historia/en/about "About us"]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, British Council, Portugal.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishcouncil.pl/en/about/history|title=Our history|publisher=British Council Poland|access-date=4 January 2017|archive-date=5 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105090141/https://www.britishcouncil.pl/en/about/history|url-status=live}}</ref> The offices in Portugal are currently the oldest in continuous operation in the world.<ref name="britishcouncil.pt" /> In 1940, King George VI granted the British Council a Royal Charter for promoting "a wider knowledge of [the United Kingdom] and the English language abroad and developing closer cultural relations between [the UK] and other countries".<ref name="History">{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.britishcouncil.org/organisation/history |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505020854/https://www.britishcouncil.org/organisation/history |archive-date=5 May 2016 |access-date=1 May 2016 |publisher=British Council}}</ref>

The British Council undertook a promotion of British culture overseas in 1942. The music section of the project was a recording of significant recent compositions by British composers: [[E. J. Moeran]]'s Symphony in G minor was the first work to be recorded under this initiative,<ref>{{cite web
 | title =Symphony in G Minor R71<!-- : http://www.gramophone.co.uk -->
 | publisher =The Worldwide Moeran Database
 | date =2011
 | url =http://www.moeran.net/Orchestral/Gramophone/Symphony.html
 | access-date =14 June 2014
 | archive-date =5 April 2016
 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160405053917/http://moeran.net/Orchestral/Gramophone/Symphony.html
 | url-status =usurped
 }}</ref> followed by recordings of Walton's ''[[Belshazzar's Feast (Walton)|Belshazzar's Feast]]'', Bliss' [[Piano Concerto (Bliss)|Piano Concerto]],<ref>{{cite web
 | title =[Front cover: His Master's Voice ad.]
 | work =Gramophone
 | date =February 1944
 | url =http://www.exacteditions.com/read/gramophone/february-1944-32758/1/3/
 | access-date =14 June 2014
 | archive-date =15 July 2014
 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140715115216/http://www.exacteditions.com/read/gramophone/february-1944-32758/1/3/
 | url-status =live
 }}</ref> Bax's [[Symphony No. 3 (Bax)|Third Symphony]], and Elgar's ''[[The Dream of Gerontius]]''.<ref>Foreman, Lewis, & Foreman, Susan. ''London: A Musical Gazetteer'', [[Yale University Press]], 2005: p. 15.</ref><ref>Myers, Rollo. 'Music in Battle-dress', in ''Music Since 1939'' (1947), pp. 9–30</ref>

[[File:British Council (Madrid) 02.jpg|thumb|British Council building in [[Madrid]], [[Spain]]|alt=]]In August 1944, after the liberation of Paris, Austin Gill was sent by the British Council to reestablish the Paris office, which soon had tours by the Old Vic company, [[Julian Huxley]] and [[T. S. Eliot]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=C. A. H. |year=1990 |title=Austin Gill (1906–1990) |journal=French Studies |volume=XLIV |issue=4 |pages=501–502 |doi=10.1093/fs/XLIV.4.501 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

In 1946, the British Council collected handicraft products from crafts that were being practised in the British countryside for an "Exhibition of Rural Handicrafts from Great Britain" that travelled to Australia and [[New Zealand]]. The majority of the collection was sold to the [[Museum of English Rural Life]] in 1960 and 1961.<ref>{{Cite web |title=British Council (Crafts) |url=https://merl.reading.ac.uk/collections/british-council-crafts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927044517/https://merl.reading.ac.uk/collections/british-council-crafts/ |archive-date=27 September 2020 |access-date=24 October 2019 |website=The Museum of English Rural Life}}</ref>

In 1948, the British Council sponsored a tour by the [[Old Vic Theatre Company]] to Australia and New Zealand. The cast was led by [[Laurence Olivier]] and [[Vivien Leigh]], performing a repertoire of three plays: [[Richard III (play)|Richard III]], [[The School for Scandal]], and [[The Skin of Our Teeth|Skin of Our Teeth]]. In Australia, the company gave 179 performances and were seen by over 300,000 people. The tour made a profit of about £40,000.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Donaldson |first=Frances |title=The British Council: The First Fifty Years |publisher=Jonathan Cape |year=1984 |isbn=0-224-02041-2 |location=London |pages=149, 157}}</ref>

=== 21st century ===
The Russian Foreign Ministry ordered the British Council to close its offices outside [[Moscow]] in 2007.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harding |first=Luke |date=2007-12-13 |title=Russia orders British Council offices to be shut down |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/dec/13/russia.lukeharding |access-date=2025-03-18 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2007-12-13 |title=Russia Tells Britain to Shut Cultural Offices |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/13/world/europe/13briefs-russia.html |access-date=2025-03-18 |work=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The Ministry alleged that it had violated Russian tax regulations,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7193186.stm |title=UK &#124; Russia actions 'stain reputation' |work=[[BBC News]] |date=17 January 2008 |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-date=28 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128092501/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7193186.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> a move that British officials claimed was retaliation over the British expulsion of Russian diplomats allegedly involved with the [[poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Harding, Luke |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/dec/12/russia.world |title=Russia tells British Council to shut offices |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=14 February 2014 |location=London |date=12 December 2007 |archive-date=30 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030002652/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/dec/12/russia.world |url-status=live }}</ref> This caused the British Council to cease carrying out all English-language examinations in Russia in January 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishcouncil.org/russia-exams-2010.htm |title=Экзамены – Британский Совет Россия |publisher=Britishcouncil.org |access-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604052057/http://www.britishcouncil.org/russia-exams-2010.htm |archive-date=4 June 2013 }}</ref> In early 2009, a Russian arbitration court ruled that the majority of the tax claims, valued at $6.6 million, were unjustified.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

In June 2025, Russia designated the British Council as an “[[Undesirable organization|undesirable organisation]],” resulting in the suspension of its remaining activities in the country, and limiting access for Russian students and educators to English-language examinations, academic resources, and cultural exchange programmes.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Faulconbridge |first=Guy |date=2025-06-05 |title=Russia targets teachers who cooperated with the British Council |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/russia-labels-british-council-undesirable-organization-2025-06-05/ |access-date=2025-06-06 |work=[[Reuters]] |language=en}}</ref> Following the designation, Russia’s [[Federal Security Service|Federal Security Service (FSB)]] stated that it had identified and 'warned' university teaching staff in four regions who had cooperated with the British Council.<ref name=":1" /> The decision restricts Russian citizens’ access to [[International English Language Testing System|IELTS]] certification, which is a common requirement for emigration, study, and employment in numerous countries. Russia also cited the British Council’s alleged support for the '[[LGBTQ movements|LGBT movement]]', which had been officially banned in Russia under legislation designating it as 'extremist'.<ref>{{Cite web |last=AFP |date=2025-06-05 |title=Russia Blacklists British Council as 'Undesirable Organization' |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/06/05/russia-blacklists-british-council-as-undesirable-organization-a89346 |access-date=2025-06-06 |work=[[The Moscow Times]] |language=en}}</ref>

=== Attacks ===
In 1984, Kenneth Whitty, Deputy Director of the British Council in [[Athens]], was murdered by militants from the [[Abu Nidal Organization|Abu Nidal Organisation]].<ref>{{Cite news |author=Norton-Taylor, Richard |author-link=Richard Norton-Taylor |date=9 June 2000 |title=Diplomatic mission |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jun/09/richardnortontaylor1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413155547/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jun/09/richardnortontaylor1 |archive-date=13 April 2023 |access-date=9 April 2023 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

On 19 August 2011 a group of armed men attacked the British Council office in [[Kabul]], the capital of [[Afghanistan]], killing at least 12 people – none of them British – and temporarily took over the compound. All the attackers were killed in counter-attacks by forces guarding the compound.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14585563|title=Attack on British Council compound in Kabul kills eight|work=[[BBC News]]|date=19 August 2011|access-date=19 August 2011|archive-date=19 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819171333/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14585563|url-status=live}}</ref> The British Council office was relocated to the British Embassy compound, as the British Council compound was destroyed in the suicide attack.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishcouncil.org/new/press-office/press-releases/british-council-back-to-work-in-afghanistan/ |title=Press office |publisher=British Council |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-date=2 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302173127/http://www.britishcouncil.org/new/press-office/press-releases/british-council-back-to-work-in-afghanistan/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2013, the British Council in [[Tripoli, Libya]] was targeted by a car bomb on the morning of 23 April. Diplomatic sources were reported as saying that "the bombers were foiled as they were preparing to park a rigged vehicle in front of the compound gate".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/04/30/tripoli-on-edge-as-fears-of-additional-bombings-in-libya-escalate.html|title=Tripoli on Edge as Fears of Additional Bombings in Libya Escalate|first=Jamie|last=Dettmer|website=[[The Daily Beast]]|date=30 April 2013|access-date=3 January 2015|archive-date=29 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429230701/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/04/30/tripoli-on-edge-as-fears-of-additional-bombings-in-libya-escalate.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The attempted attack was simultaneous with the attack on the French Embassy in Tripoli on the same day that injured two French security guards, one severely, and wounded several residents in neighbouring houses.<ref name="channel4.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/libya-france-embassy-bomb-terrorist-attack-tripoli-car|title=French embassy targeted in Libyan car bomb attack|publisher=[[Channel 4]]|date=23 April 2013|access-date=3 January 2015|archive-date=23 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523225009/http://www.channel4.com/news/libya-france-embassy-bomb-terrorist-attack-tripoli-car|url-status=live}}</ref> A jihadist group calling itself the [[Mujahideen|Mujahedeen Brigade]] was suspected,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/04/23/blast-hits-french-embassy-in-tripoli.html|title=Blast Hits French Embassy in Tripoli|first=Jamie|last=Dettmer|website=[[The Daily Beast]]|date=11 July 2017|access-date=9 April 2023|archive-date=2 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602223727/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/04/23/blast-hits-french-embassy-in-tripoli.html|url-status=live}}</ref> possibly linked to [[Al-Qaeda]] in the Islamic [[Maghreb]].<ref name="channel4.com" />

On 28 August 2025, the British Council building in the [[Ukraine|Ukrainian]] capital of [[Kyiv]] was damaged in a [[Russia|Russian]] [[Kyiv_strikes_(2022-present)|missile strike]], with one security guard injured. The [[List_of_ambassadors_of_Russia_to_the_United_Kingdom|Russian Ambassador to the UK]] [[Andrey Kelin]] was summoned to the [[Foreign Office]] by [[Foreign_Secretary_(United_Kingdom)|Foreign Secretary]] [[David Lammy]].<ref>{{cite web |title=UK summons Russian ambassador after British Council building hit in Kyiv |url=https://news.sky.com/story/uk-to-summon-russian-ambassador-after-british-council-building-hit-in-kyiv-sky-news-understands-13419902 |website=Sky News |access-date=28 August 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

== Organisation ==
The British Council is a charity governed by [[royal charter]]. It is also a [[Government-owned corporation|public corporation]] and an executive [[non-departmental public body]], sponsored by the [[Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office]]. Its headquarters are in Stratford, London. Its chair is [[Paul Thompson (administrator)|Paul Thompson]], and its CEO is [[Scott McDonald (CEO)|Scott McDonald]].

The British Council's total income in 2014–2015 was £973 million principally made up of £154.9 million grant-in-aid received from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; £637 million income from fees and teaching and examinations services; and £164 million from contracts.<ref name="ReferenceA">[http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Accounts/Ends31/0000209131_AC_20180331_E_C.pdf, ''Annual Report 2017–18'']{{Dead link|date=October 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, British Council.</ref>

The British Council works in more than 100 countries: promoting a wider knowledge of the UK and the English language; encouraging cultural, scientific, technological and educational understanding and cooperation; changing people's lives through access to UK education, skills, qualifications, culture and society; and attracting people who matter to the future of the UK and engaging them with the UK's culture, educational opportunities and its diverse, modern, open society.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

In 2014–2015, the British Council spent: £489 million developing a wider knowledge of the English language; £238 million encouraging educational cooperation and promoting the advancement of education; £155 million building capacity for social change; £80 million encouraging cultural, scientific and technological cooperation; and £10 million on governance, tax and trading expenses.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

During the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]] the British Council took a £200 million rolling emergency loan from the government at commercial interest rates, requiring annual renewal. In 2025, this loan was seen as risk to the financial stability of the council.<ref name=guardian-20250125>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jan/25/british-council-could-disappear-within-a-decade-says-chief-executive |title=British Council could disappear within a decade, says chief executive |last=Adams |first=Richard |newspaper=The Guardian |date=25 January 2025 |access-date=25 January 2025}}</ref>

== Notable activities ==
===English and examinations===
The British Council offers face-to-face teaching in more than 80 teaching centres in more than 50 countries.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Three million candidates took UK examinations with the British Council in more than 850 towns and cities in 2014–2015.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
[[File:IELTS logo.svg|thumb|The British Council helps to run the global [[IELTS]] English test.]]
The British Council jointly runs the global [[IELTS]] English-language [[standardised test]] with [[Cambridge University Press and Assessment]] and [[IDP Education]] Australia. Over 2.5 million IELTS tests were delivered in 2014–2015.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

====Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)====
In 2014, the British Council launched its first MOOC, Exploring English: Language and Culture, on the UK social learning platform [[FutureLearn]]. This was accessed by over 230,000 people.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

====English for peace====
"Peacekeeping English" is a collaboration between the British Council, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] to improve the English-language skills of military personnel through the Peacekeeping English Project (PEP). PEP is helping train approximately 50,000 military and police service personnel in 28 countries, amongst them [[Libya]],<ref name="Britishcouncil.org">[http://www.britishcouncil.org/libya-english-peacekeeping-english-project.htm Britishcouncil.org] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205032221/http://www.britishcouncil.org/libya-english-peacekeeping-english-project.htm |date=5 December 2008 }}</ref> [[Ethiopia]] and [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]].<ref>[http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-elt-pep-projects-worldwide.htm Britishcouncil.org] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827205136/http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-elt-pep-projects-worldwide.htm |date=27 August 2009 }}</ref>

===Mobility programmes===
====Education UK====
In 2013, the British Council relaunched the global website Education UK for international students interested in UK education. The site receives 2.2 million visitors per year and includes a search tool for UK courses and scholarships, advice and articles about living and studying in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.educationuk.org/|title=Study in the UK – Education UK (Global)|access-date=3 October 2014|archive-date=13 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713203323/http://www.educationuk.org//|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Erasmus+====
From 2014 to 2020, the British Council and [[Ecorys]] UK jointly administered almost €1 billion of the €14.7 billion [[Erasmus+]] programme offering education, training, youth and sports opportunity for young people in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishcouncil.org/organisation/press/uk-young-people-benefit-erasmus-fund|title=UK's young people to benefit from €1 billion Erasmus+ fund|publisher=British Council|date=28 April 2014|access-date=1 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625080557/https://www.britishcouncil.org/organisation/press/uk-young-people-benefit-erasmus-fund|archive-date=25 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was expected that nearly 250,000 people will have undertaken activities abroad with the programme.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecorys.com/news/british-council-ecorys-wins-uk-contract-managing-eu-education-programme-erasmus|title=British Council with Ecorys wins UK contract for managing EU education programme Erasmus+|publisher=Ecorys|access-date=1 May 2016|archive-date=3 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603041120/http://www.ecorys.com/news/british-council-ecorys-wins-uk-contract-managing-eu-education-programme-erasmus|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Schools===
====Connecting Classrooms====
Over 16,000 schools have taken part in an international school partnership or benefited from teacher training through the British Council Connecting Classrooms programmes.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

===Universities===
====RENKEI network====
The RENKEI network, established in 2012, brings together universities from Japan and the UK. RENKEI stands for "Research and Education Network for Knowledge Economy Initiatives" in English and means "collaboration" in Japanese.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://global.ed.ac.uk/regional-engagement/east-asia/renkei|title=RENKEI network|website=University of Edinburgh|access-date=26 July 2024}}</ref> {{as of|May 2024|post=,}} the members are the universities of [[Durham University|Durham]], [[University of Edinburgh|Edinburgh]], [[University of Leeds|Leeds]], [[University of Liverpool|Liverpool]], [[Newcastle University|Newcastle]] and [[University of Southampton|Southampton]] from the UK and [[Keio University|Keio]], [[Kyushu University|Kyushu]], [[Ritsumeikan University|Ritsumeikan]] and [[Tohoku University|Tohoku]] universities from Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishcouncil.jp/en/programmes/higher-education/university-industry-partnership/renkei/member-universities|title=RENKEI Member Universities|website=British Council|access-date=26 July 2024}}</ref>

===Arts and culture===
====ACCELERATE====
ACCELERATE was a leadership programme for [[Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander]] people in the [[creative arts]], run jointly by the British Council and the [[Australia Council]] in partnership with [[Australian states and territories|Australian state]] arts agencies, between 2009 and 2016. During that time, 35 people participated in the programme, with many alumni going on to excel in their fields.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.britishcouncil.org.au/programmes/arts/accelerate| website=ACCELERATE| publisher=British Council| title=ACCELERATE Home| access-date=14 September 2021| archive-date=14 September 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914072945/https://www.britishcouncil.org.au/programmes/arts/accelerate| url-status=live}}</ref>

==== UK-India Year of Culture ====
[[File:UK-India Year of Culture official launch.jpg|thumb|UK-India Year of Culture official launch image on the façade of Buckingham Palace]]
Her Majesty [[Queen Elizabeth II]] hosted the official launch of the UK-India Year of Culture on 27 February 2017 at [[Buckingham Palace]], with Indian Finance Minister [[Arun Jaitley]] representing Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]]. The British Council worked with the Palace and British-Indian start-up Studio Carrom to project a [[Peafowl|peacock]], [[India]]'s national bird, onto the facade of Buckingham Palace.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/indian-colours-peacock-light-up-the-buckingham-palace-as-british-queen-plays-host-to-india/story-al3kRg3iAjUugjOjZavvKN.html|title=Indian colours, peacock light up the Buckingham Palace as British Queen plays host to India|date=28 February 2017|author=Sonwalkar, Prasun|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=25 March 2017|archive-date=7 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307013403/http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/indian-colours-peacock-light-up-the-buckingham-palace-as-british-queen-plays-host-to-india/story-al3kRg3iAjUugjOjZavvKN.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

====fiveFilms4freedom====
In 2015, the British Council launched [[fiveFilms4freedom]], a free, online, 10-day LGBT film festival with the [[British Film Institute]], supported by the UN Free & Equal campaign. It was the first global online LGBT film festival.<ref name="markbrown">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/mar/18/love-is-five-gay-films-global-human-rights|title=Love is ... five gay films going global in the name of human rights|author=Brown, Mark|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=18 March 2015|access-date=9 April 2023|archive-date=12 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512153654/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/mar/18/love-is-five-gay-films-global-human-rights|url-status=live}}</ref> The festival runs a 24-hour campaign to ask people to watch a movie and show that love is a human right. In 2016, films were viewed by over 1.5m people in 179 countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/announcements/fivefilms4freedom-reaches-140-million-people-launches-first-ever|title=fiveFilms4freedom reaches 140 million people in 2016|publisher=BFI|access-date=1 May 2016|archive-date=23 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423204308/http://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/announcements/fivefilms4freedom-reaches-140-million-people-launches-first-ever|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Shakespeare Lives====
In October 2015, the British Council announced Shakespeare Lives, a global programme, with the [[BBC]], [[British Film Institute]], the [[National Theatre (UK)|National Theatre]], the [[Royal Shakespeare Company]], the Shakespeare 400 consortium, the [[Shakespeare Birthplace Trust]] and [[Shakespeare's Globe]] to celebrate [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare's]] life and work on the 400th anniversary of this death.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishcouncil.org/organisation/press/shakespeare-lives-2016|title=Shakespeare Lives In 2016|publisher=British Council|access-date=1 May 2016|archive-date=25 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625080237/https://www.britishcouncil.org/organisation/press/shakespeare-lives-2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

====''Selector Radio''====
''[[Selector Radio]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.selector-radio.com/|title=The Selector – British Council Music|first=Music|last=<ideasbymusic.com>|access-date=25 February 2013|archive-date=12 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312134151/http://www.selector-radio.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> is a weekly two-hour radio show, produced by Audio Always for the British Council. Originally launched in 2001, the show is now broadcast in more than 30 countries around the world, connecting a global audience to a wide range of music the United Kingdom has to offer, covering a variety of genres from [[Grime music|grime]], [[Indie rock|indie]], [[Soul music|soul]], [[Dance music|dance]] and more. The show features interviews, guest [[DJ mix]]es and exclusive live sessions from some of the UK's most exciting artists. It avoids many mainstream acts, in favour of emerging talent and [[Underground music|underground]] styles. It has an estimated listenership of over four million people. The show is currently hosted in the UK by [[Sian Eleri]] since 2024 - previous hosts include Jamz Supernova, [[Goldierocks]] and Andrea Oliver – and many countries take the English language version of the show and create a new show from the tracks and features, translating the 'links' into the local language.

=== Cultural and educational exchange with North Korea ===
The British Council has been running a teacher training programme in [[North Korea]] since 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishcouncil.org/organisation/press/british-council-forges-new-uk-north-korea-cultural-ties|title=British Council forges new UK/North Korea cultural ties|publisher=British Council|access-date=1 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625080052/https://www.britishcouncil.org/organisation/press/british-council-forges-new-uk-north-korea-cultural-ties|archive-date=25 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In July 2014 the British Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) for cultural and educational exchange.

==Other activities==
=== Young Creative Entrepreneur Awards ===
The British Council's Young Creative Entrepreneurs Awards identify and support talented people from across the creative industries, such as the [[International Young Publisher of the Year]], [[International Young Design Entrepreneur of the Year]], [[International Young Music Entrepreneur of the Year]] and British Council West Africa Arts Programme ~ Creative Entrepreneurs 2018 awards.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://scholarshiptag.com/british-council-west-africa-arts-program/ |title=British Council West Africa Arts Program ~ Creative Entrepreneurs 2018 |access-date=28 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028094245/https://scholarshiptag.com/british-council-west-africa-arts-program/ |archive-date=28 October 2017 |url-status=dead  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://creativeconomy.britishcouncil.org/creative-entrepreneurship/young-creative-entrepreneur-programme/ |title=Young Creative Entrepreneur Programme &#124; British Council |access-date=23 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023074650/http://creativeconomy.britishcouncil.org/creative-entrepreneurship/young-creative-entrepreneur-programme/ |archive-date=23 October 2012 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.britishcouncil.org/home-about-us-world-of-difference.htm?mtklink=corporate-homepage-world-of-difference Making a world of difference.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070906044116/http://www.britishcouncil.org/home-about-us-world-of-difference.htm?mtklink=corporate-homepage-world-of-difference |date=6 September 2007 }}</ref>

== Controversies ==
=== British Council and the Indian diaspora effect ===
The British Council has faced criticism for outsourcing key functions, including teacher recruitment, to a shared services centre in Noida, India. Concerns have been raised over the influence of the Indian diaspora in shaping policy, with key figures such as Sanjay Patel (Chief People Officer), Vijay Doshi (Chief Financial Officer, formerly held by Bidesh Sarkar), and Sushil Saluja (Trustee, Chair of the Commercial Committee) in senior roles.<ref>{{cite news|author=William Grice |date=6 December 2024|title= British Council's shared services in India: Smart cost-cutting or cultural misstep?|work= E L Gazette|url= https://www.elgazette.com/british-councils-shared-services-in-india-smart-cost-cutting-or-cultural-misstep/}}</ref>

Critics question whether this ‘living bridge’ has led to political blind spots on human rights, as outsourcing continues despite India’s documented rights abuses under the [[BJP]].  The decision to outsource coincides with MPs [[Virendra Sharma]] and [[Navendu Mishra]] holding vice-chair roles in both the British Council and India Trade APPGs, raising transparency concerns. Moreover, the issue gained further prominence when [[Rishi Sunak]] visited the British Council’s New Delhi centre in 2023; just two years after the British Council had sold its IELTS business in India.<ref>JHavergal, C. (1 July 2001). Covid-hit British Council sells Indian IELTS business to IDP. Times Higher Education. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/covid-hit-british-council-sells-indian-ielts-business-idp</ref>

Critics warn that growing reliance on Indian corporate partnerships, such as Tata’s takeover of British Council services, risks prioritising cost-cutting over human rights and British cultural diplomacy.<ref>Say, M. (24 October 2023). British Council signs TCS in outsourcing deal. UKAuthority. https://www.ukauthority.com/articles/british-council-signs-tcs-in-outsourcing-deal/</ref>

===Taiwan teachers vote on pay strike===
British Council teachers in Taiwan were set to vote on historic strike action over stagnant pay, unchanged since 2004 despite a 25% rise in inflation and a significant increase in student fees. ''EL Gazette'' reported that teachers argue recent below-inflation pay increments fail to address the issue, despite the Council's claim of offering competitive packages. Dissatisfaction is further fuelled by comparisons to better-paid roles in local international schools.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-10 |title=Historic strike vote at BC Taiwan - E L Gazette |url=https://www.elgazette.com/historic-strike-vote-at-bc-taiwan/ |access-date=2024-12-19 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== British Council's handling of Afghan teachers post-2021 ===
The British Council faced criticism for leaving behind over 100 Afghan teachers during the Taliban's 2021 takeover, exposing them to persecution for promoting UK values.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Afghan British Council worker: 'I escaped – but Taliban are hunting my colleagues' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/afghan-resettlement-scheme-teacher-evacuation-b2314043.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616152244/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/afghan-resettlement-scheme-teacher-evacuation-b2314043.html |archive-date=2024-06-16 |access-date=2024-12-19 |work=The Independent |language=en-GB}}</ref> While most were relocated to the UK by 2024 after years of hardship, some remain in danger, underscoring a critical failure in duty of care and the urgent need for systemic reform.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-23 |title=Latest update on abandoned Afghan British Council teachers - E L Gazette |url=https://www.elgazette.com/latest-update-on-abandoned-afghan-british-council-teachers/ |access-date=2024-12-19 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Expenses ===
In 2010, Conservative MP [[Mark Lancaster, Baron Lancaster of Kimbolton|Mark Lancaster]], the then [[Lord of the Treasury|Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury]], the then [[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|Speaker of the House of Commons]] [[Michael Martin, Baron Martin of Springburn|Michael Martin]], and other MPs were involved in rows over expenses incurred on undisclosed taxpayer-funded British Council trips.<ref name="Hastings"/> The British Council's then chief executive, Martin Davidson, also faced press criticism for expenses claimed in an apparent breach of the British Council's internal rules for overnight stays in London.<ref>{{cite news|author=Rowley, Emma |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23835659-british-council-boss-defends-pound-4600-hotel-expenses.do |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913224010/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23835659-british-council-boss-defends-pound-4600-hotel-expenses.do |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 September 2012 |title=British Council boss defends £4,600 hotel expenses |work=[[London Evening Standard]] |date=19 May 2010 |access-date=23 October 2012 }}</ref>

=== Closure in Russia ===
In 2007, the Russian government accused the British Council of an illegal operation by breaking Russian tax laws and ordered the organisation to close two of its offices. Many believed that the council had become the victim of a diplomatic row between the UK and Russia.<ref>{{Cite news|date=13 December 2007|access-date = 9 April 2023|title=The Big Question: What is the British Council, and does it still serve|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/big-question-what-british-council-and-does-it-still-serve-useful-purpose-764836.html|url-status=live|author= Savage, Michael|work=[[The Independent]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819101628/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/big-question-what-british-council-and-does-it-still-serve-useful-purpose-764836.html |archive-date=19 August 2021 }}</ref> In 2018, Russia expelled 23 British diplomats and closed down the British Council (due to a lack of regulations on its activities) along with the general consulate in [[Saint Petersburg|St. Petersburg]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 2020|title=British Council hopes organization will resume work in Russia|url=https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/70352/|url-status=live|website=[[Interfax]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819100126/https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/70352/ |archive-date=19 August 2021}}</ref> The move was reported to be retaliation against the UK's actions toward [[Russia]] for the [[poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kinnock |first = Stephen|author-link=Stephen Kinnock|date=22 March 2018|title=Russia Is Using the British Council As a Political Tool (Op-ed)|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2018/03/22/russia-is-using-the-british-council-as-a-political-tool-op-ed-a60913|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-19|website=[[The Moscow Times]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413151306/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2018/03/22/russia-is-using-the-british-council-as-a-political-tool-op-ed-a60913 |archive-date=13 April 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Politi|first=Daniel|date=2018-03-17|title=Russia Expels 23 British Diplomats, Shuts Down British Council in Retaliation|url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/russia-expels-23-british-diplomats-shuts-down-british-council-in-retaliation.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-19|website=[[Slate Magazine]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317210037/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/03/russia-expels-23-british-diplomats-shuts-down-british-council-in-retaliation.html |archive-date=17 March 2018 }}</ref>

=== Israel and Palestine ===
The British Council has been a primary partner of the [[Palestine Festival of Literature]] since the Festival's beginning in 2008. In 2009, the Israeli police, acting on a court order, closed down the venue scheduled to host the Festival's closing event since there was [[Palestinian Authority]] involvement, but the British Council stepped in and the evening was relocated to its grounds.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8073993.stm|title=Middle East – Police shut Palestinian theatre in Jerusalem|date=29 May 2009 |access-date=6 May 2012|archive-date=12 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512002127/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8073993.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The British Council supports the festival, also known as PalFest. A controversial issue arose in 2012 because PalFest's website states that they endorse the "2004 Palestinian call for the academic and cultural boycott of Israel". Susanna Nicklin, the council's director of literature, said in response: "The British Council is a non-political organisation, and we believe that international cultural exchange makes a powerful contribution to a more peaceful, tolerant and prosperous world. Therefore, the British Council does not support cultural or academic boycotts."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/67145/british-council-no-support-boycott-aims-palestinian-festival |title=British Council: no support for boycott aims of Palestinian festival |access-date=6 May 2012 |archive-date=8 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508221638/http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/67145/british-council-no-support-boycott-aims-palestinian-festival |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Closure in Syria ===
The British Council closed its operations in Syria in 2012 due to the ongoing [[Syrian civil war|conflict]] in the country. The closure was a result of the deteriorating security situation and the inability to ensure the safety of its staff and visitors.{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}

=== Dissident Chinese writers ===
In April 2012, the British Council faced a storm of protests over the [[London Book Fair#Controversy|exclusion of dissident Chinese writers from the London Book Fair 2012]]. Critics included English PEN and journalist [[Nick Cohen]] writing for ''[[The Observer]]'', as well as [[Alastair Niven]], a former Literature Director of the British Council itself.<ref>{{cite news|author=Cohen, Nick|author-link=Nick Cohen|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/apr/15/nick-cohen-china-censorship-writers|title=The British Council brings more shame on us|work=[[The Observer]]|date=15 April 2012|access-date=19 April 2023|archive-date=12 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512153655/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/apr/15/nick-cohen-china-censorship-writers|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Lea, Richard, [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/apr/13/london-book-fair-china-censorship "Is the London Book Fair supporting Chinese censorship?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130210931/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/apr/13/london-book-fair-china-censorship |date=30 November 2016 }} ''[[The Guardian]]'', 13 April 2012.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2012/apr/22/observer-letters-british-council-china|title="Letters: The British Council is wrong in its attitude to China"|author=Niven, Alastair|author-link=Alastair Niven|work=[[The Observer]]|date=22 April 2012|access-date=9 April 2023|archive-date=12 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512153655/https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2012/apr/22/observer-letters-british-council-china|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Cuts===
In March 2007, the British Council announced its "intention to increase its investment in the [[Middle East]], [[North Africa]] and [[Central Asia|Central]] and [[South Asia|Southern Asia]]".{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}{{update after|2011|8}} In June 2007, MPs were told of further closures in [[Tel Aviv]] and [[East Jerusalem]] (where there had been a British Council Library since 1946). The British Council libraries in [[Athens]]<ref>[https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmfaff/uc795-ii/uc79502.htm Athens] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721192747/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmfaff/uc795-ii/uc79502.htm |date=21 July 2017 }} library, ''Hansard'', 27 June 2007.</ref> and [[Belgrade]]<ref>[http://www.britishcouncil.org/serbia-library-newprofile.htm New Profile<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127101451/http://www.britishcouncil.org/serbia-library-newprofile.htm |date=27 November 2007 }}</ref> were also scheduled to close. Similarly in India, the British Council Libraries at [[Bhopal]] and [[Thiruvananthapuram]] were closed despite protests from library users as part of the Council's policy to "reduce its physical presence" in the country and to divert funds to mega projects in the fields of culture, education, science and research.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/07/stories/2007120761460300.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208132227/http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/07/stories/2007120761460300.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=8 December 2007 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=British Library writes its epilogue | date=7 December 2007}}</ref>

British Council libraries and offices have also been closed in several other countries judged by the British Council to be of little strategic or commercial importance, as it refocused its activities on [[China]] and the [[Persian Gulf]] area.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} Council offices were closed in [[Lesotho]], [[Eswatini]], [[Ecuador]] and provincial [[States of Germany|Länder]] in [[Germany]] in 2000–2001 – as well as [[Belarus]] – prompting Parliamentary criticism. Subsequent promises by British Council Chair Neil Kinnock to a conference in [[Edinburgh]]<ref>[https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20071129090213/http://www.holyrood.tv/popup.asp?stream=http://vr-sp-archive.lbwa.verio.net/archive/scottish_power_conversation_240805.wmv Neil Kinnock] at the [[Scottish Parliament Building|Edinburgh]] Festival of Politics (from about 36–42 minutes into the [[streaming media|streaming video]] clip and the question/answer from about 62 minutes in)</ref> that the Belarus closure would hopefully prove to be just a "temporary" withdrawal proved illusory. The British Council office in [[Peru]] also closed in September 2006 as part of a rethink of its strategy in [[Latin America]]. In [[Italy]], British Council closed its offices in [[Turin]] and [[Bologna]] and reduced the size of offices in [[Milan]] and [[Rome]] (with the closure of the library in the latter).<ref>[https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199697/ldhansrd/pdvn/lds06/text/60626w04.htm Lords Hansard text] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721185935/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199697/ldhansrd/pdvn/lds06/text/60626w04.htm |date=21 July 2017 }}, English-language advisory services in Peru were moved first to [[Rio de Janeiro]] in Brazil then repatriated back to London HQ. ''Hansard'' Column WA130, 26 June 2006.</ref>

[[Charles Arnold-Baker]], author of ''[[Companion to British History|the Companion to British History]]'' said of the British Council's shift in priorities: "This whole policy is misconstrued from top to bottom. We are going somewhere where we can't succeed and neglecting our friends in Europe who wish us well. The only people who are going to read our books in [[Beirut]] or [[Baghdad]] are converts already."<ref name="Smith">{{cite news | title=Outcry as British Council quits Europe to woo Muslim world | work=[[The Observer]] | date=4 August 2007 | access-date=3 January 2015 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/aug/05/helenasmith.theobserver | author=Smith, Helen | archive-date=3 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103181008/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/aug/05/helenasmith.theobserver | url-status=live }}</ref>

The article also points out that the [[Alliance française]] and the {{lang|de|[[Goethe-Institut]]|italic=no}}, unlike the British Council, are both expanding and replenishing libraries Europe-wide. France opened its new library in Tel Aviv in 2007, just a few months after the British Council closed there and shut down the British Council library in [[West Jerusalem]].<ref>[http://fr.ambafrance-il.org/inner.asp?ArticleID=325 West Jerusalem] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819205045/http://fr.ambafrance-il.org/inner.asp?ArticleID=325 |date=19 August 2007 }} library closure</ref> In [[Gaza City|Gaza]], the [[Institut français]] supports the Gaza municipal library in partnership with the local authority and a municipal twinning link between [[Gaza City]] and the French port of [[Dunkirk]].<ref>[http://www.pnm.my/mtcp/countryreport/Mogaza-PalestineReport.ppt Gaza library] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927091827/http://www.pnm.my/mtcp/countryreport/Mogaza-PalestineReport.ppt |date=27 September 2007 }} Powerpoint presentation</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/aug/12/letters.theobserver|title=Letter: Far from quitting, British Council is bridging gaps|work=[[The Observer]]|author=Davidson, Martin|author-link=Martin Davidson|date=12 August 2007|access-date=19 April 2023|archive-date=24 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824042855/http://observer.guardian.co.uk/letters/story/0,,2147079,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[Oslo]], British Council informs [[Norway|Norwegian]] callers that "our office is not open to the public and we do not have an enquiry service".<ref>[http://www.britishcouncil.org/norway-about-us-contact-us.htm Britishcouncil.org] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206045557/http://www.britishcouncil.org/norway-about-us-contact-us.htm |date=6 December 2008 }}</ref> Goethe Institute also has a more visible presence in [[Glasgow]] than the British Council.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goethe.de/ins/gb/gla/uun/enindex.htm|title=About us – Goethe-Institut United Kingdom|access-date=23 November 2008|archive-date=14 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314222525/http://www.goethe.de/ins/gb/gla/uun/enindex.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> There is now, in contrast, only one British Council office left in [[Germany]] – and that is in [[Berlin]].<ref>[http://www.britishcouncil.de/e/about/contact.htm Other Lander offices closed] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930022722/http://www.britishcouncil.de/e/about/contact.htm |date=30 September 2008 }}</ref>

===Accountability===
Formally, it is to its sponsoring department, the [[Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office]], that parliamentary questions regarding the British Council are referred to.<ref>[https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070625/text/70625w047.htm Sponsoring Department] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721180126/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070625/text/70625w047.htm |date=21 July 2017 }} in Hansard 25 June 2007</ref>

The effectiveness of British Council efforts to promote higher education in China was examined in the UK by the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] [[Education & Skills Select Committee|Select Committee on Education and Skills]] in a report issued in August 2007.<ref>[https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmeduski.htm Promoting higher education] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721183733/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmeduski.htm |date=21 July 2017 }} in China</ref> It expressed concern that in terms of joint educational programmes involving Chinese universities, the UK lagged [[Australia]], the [[United States|US]], Hong Kong, [[Canada]] and [[France]]. In its evidence to this committee, the British Council argued that "UK degrees are highly valued by international students for their global recognition. International students adopt an essentially utilitarian view of higher education which is likely to increasingly involve consideration of value for money, including opting for programmes at least partly delivered offshore". As their preferred marketing "model", the British Council gave the example of India where their UK India Education and Research Initiative<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ukieri.org/about-ukieri.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822112851/http://www.ukieri.org/about-ukieri.htm|url-status=dead|title=Ukieri|archivedate=22 August 2007|website=www.ukieri.org}}</ref> is being "championed" by British multinational oil companies such as [[BP]] and [[Shell plc|Shell]], the pharmaceutical giant [[GlaxoSmithKline|GSK]] and arms company [[BAE Systems]].<ref>[http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2007/06/27/us_investigating_bae BAe Systems investigation] ''Boston Globe'', 27 June 2007.</ref>

Criticism of British Council marketing efforts in this area has also come from [[Scotland]] where ''[[The Sunday Herald]]'' obtained documents under the Freedom of Information Act showing that the British Council's Marketing Co-ordinator in the US had been referring to [[University of Stirling|the University of Stirling]] as "The University of Sterling" (sic) and also documenting "tensions" between Scottish Executive civil servants and British Council in India and China over overseas promotion of universities in Scotland where education is a devolved responsibility. ''The Sunday Herald'' reported that these turf wars were undermining the Scottish Executive's key Fresh Talent policy.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20051030/ai_n15818876 "Feuds and turf wars put Fresh Talent flagship plan in jeopardy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212113242/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20051030/ai_n15818876 |date=12 February 2009 }}, ''The Sunday Herald'', 30 October 2005.</ref>

Some of the activities of the British Council were examined in 2007/2008 by the [[National Audit Office (United Kingdom)|National Audit Office]] (NAO). The NAO's report, ''The British Council: Achieving Impact'', concluded: "that the British Council's performance is strong and valued by its customers and stakeholders".<ref>[http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/07-08/0708625.pdf "The British Council: Achieving Impact"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081023155106/http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/07-08/0708625.pdf |date=23 October 2008 }}, National Audit Office, 9 June 2008.</ref> It also concluded, however, that its English classes are elitist and have unfair advantages over commercial providers, as well as questioning thousands of unanswered phone calls and e-mails to British Council offices.<ref name="Guardian.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2008/jul/18/tefl.furthereducation|title=UK flagship faces competition row|first=Max de|last=Lotbinière|date=23 July 2008|work=The Guardian|access-date=11 December 2016|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202103601/https://www.theguardian.com/education/2008/jul/18/tefl.furthereducation|url-status=live}}</ref>

As part of its examination of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Annual Report, the Foreign Affairs Committee spends an hour each year examining witnesses from the British Council but even this level of scrutiny is undermined by a Commons ruling exempting MPs from the requirement to declare overseas trips paid for by The British Council.<ref name="Hastings">{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/4550620/Speaker-Michael-Martin-in-secrecy-row-over-British-Council-trips.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/4550620/Speaker-Michael-Martin-in-secrecy-row-over-British-Council-trips.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=Speaker Michael Martin in secrecy row over British Council trips | work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | date=7 February 2009 | access-date=3 January 2015 | author=Hastings, Chris}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Two members of the Public Accounts Committee ([[Nigel Griffiths]] MP and [[Ian Davidson (Scottish politician)|Ian Davidson MP]]) were office-bearers in the British Council Associate Parliamentary Group.<ref>[http://www.britishcouncil.org/new/about-us/partnership-opportunities/parliamentary-activities/officers/ Britishcouncil.org] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609012348/http://www.britishcouncil.org/new/about-us/partnership-opportunities/parliamentary-activities/officers/ |date=9 June 2009 }}</ref> Nigel Griffiths MP was Vice-Chair of this British Council lobby group until stepping down as an MP.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Parliamentary career for Nigel Griffiths – MPs and Lords – UK Parliament|url=https://members.parliament.uk/member/600/career|access-date=2020-10-19|website=members.parliament.uk|language=en|archive-date=20 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020072045/https://members.parliament.uk/member/600/career|url-status=live}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

In 2008, the British Council was called before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) following the earlier publication of a National Audit Office report. The subsequent PAC report confirmed that Nigel Griffiths MP – Vice Chair of The British Council Associate Parliamentary Group – was part of the small number of PAC members who approved this report on the British Council despite not having been recorded as being present during the evidence session – in June 2008 – where the British Council's chief executive was cross-examined.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmpubacc/814/814.pdf|title=Parliament.uk|access-date=30 August 2017|archive-date=21 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721195202/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmpubacc/814/814.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Mr Griffiths had earlier travelled to Russia and spoke favourably of British Council activities there in January 1998 around the time that their man in St Petersburg (Stephen Kinnock) was expelled.<ref name="Guardian.co.uk"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080117/debtext/80117-0008.htm|title=House of Commons Hansard Debates for 17 Jan 2008 (pt 0008)|first=Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Commons|last=Westminster|access-date=30 August 2017|archive-date=21 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721083124/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080117/debtext/80117-0008.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2008/jun/11/tefl.internationaleducationnews|title=Cost of British Council language tests 'too high'|first=Jessica|last=Shepherd|date=11 June 2008|work=The Guardian|access-date=11 December 2016|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202104720/https://www.theguardian.com/education/2008/jun/11/tefl.internationaleducationnews|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmpubacc/uc814-i/uc81402.htm|title=Uncorrected Evidence 814|access-date=30 August 2017|archive-date=21 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721193640/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmpubacc/uc814-i/uc81402.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2008, the British Council was told to ensure all portable media was encrypted after losing staff data and wrongly saying the disc was encrypted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itpro.co.uk/610563/ico-tells-british-council-to-encrypt-after-data-breach|author=Kobie, Nicole|title=ICO tells British Council to encrypt after data breach|publisher=ITPro|date=20 April 2008|access-date=9 April 2023|archive-date=30 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930034048/http://www.itpro.co.uk/610563/ico-tells-british-council-to-encrypt-after-data-breach|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the accusations made against the British Council in Russia (see above) Trevor Royle, the diplomatic editor of ''The Sunday Herald'' quoted a "British diplomatic source" saying: "There is a widespread assumption that The British Council is a wing of our Secret Intelligence Services, however minor. Officially it is no such thing but there are connections. Why should it be otherwise because all information is invaluable? After all, the British Council also deals with trade missions and inevitably that involves low-grade intelligence-gathering."<ref name="SundayHerald.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sundayherald.com/international/shinternational/display.var.1979149.0.0.php|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704090304/http://www.sundayherald.com/international/shinternational/display.var.1979149.0.0.php|url-status=dead|title=SundayHerald.com|archivedate=4 July 2008}}</ref>

In 2005, along with the [[Alliance française]], the [[Dante Alighieri Society]], the {{lang|de|[[Goethe-Institut]]|italic=no}}, the [[Instituto Cervantes]], and the [[Instituto Camões]], the British Council shared in the [[Princess of Asturias Awards|Princess of Asturias Award]] for the outstanding achievements of Western Europe's national cultural agencies in communications and the humanities.  At the time of this joint award, the full extent of The British Council's closure policies in Europe was not yet public knowledge.

=== In literature ===
Royle also goes on to note that the novel ''[[The Russia House]]'' by [[John Le Carré]] (former consular official David Cornwell) opens with a reference to The British Council. The organisation's "first-ever audio fair for the teaching of the English language and the spread of British culture" is "grinding to its excruciating end" and one of its officials is packing away his stuff when he is approached by an attractive Russian woman to undertake clandestine delivery of a manuscript which she claims is a novel to an English publisher who she says is "her friend"!<ref name="SundayHerald.com"/>

It is also featured in one of the scenes in [[Graham Greene]]'s ''[[The Third Man]]'' – the character Crabbin, played by [[Wilfrid Hyde-White]] in the film, worked for The British Council. In 1946, the writer [[George Orwell]] advised serious authors not to work for it as a day job arguing that "the effort [of writing] is too much to make if one has already squandered one's energies on semi-creative work such as teaching, broadcasting or composing propaganda for bodies such as the British Council".<ref>"Horizon Questionnaire: The Cost of Letters", in ''[[Horizon (British magazine)|Horizon]]'', 1946</ref> In her autobiography, Dame [[Stella Rimington]], the first woman head of [[MI5]], mentions working for British Council in India before joining the British Intelligence Services.<ref>Rimington, Stella: Open secrets. The autobiography of the former Director-General of the MI-5. London 2001. p.54.</ref>

The British Council was referred to (and its man on-station, ''Goole'') – frequently in a humorous way by [[Lawrence Durrell]] in his collection of anecdotes about a diplomat's life on foreign postings for the Foreign Office – ''Antrobus Complete''.<ref>Durrell, L. (1985), ''Antrobus Complete'', 202pp, Faber & Faber, {{ISBN|0-571-13603-6}}.</ref>

In the six [[Olivia Manning]] novels that make up The Balkan Trilogy and The Levant Trilogy, Guy Pringle is an employee of the British Council, and Council politics make up several of the plot points. The books portray [[Eastern Europe]] and the Middle East in the opening years of [[World War II|World War Two]].

=== Burma ===
The role of the British Council in [[Myanmar]] in 1947 came under scrutiny with the release of classified documents to a BBC investigation by journalist Feargal Keane into the role of dissident British colonial officials in the assassination of the then Burmese independence leader [[Aung San]] (father of [[Aung San Suu Kyi]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3huRoNnq2A  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/r3huRoNnq2A| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Who really killed Aung San? Vol 5 |via=YouTube |access-date=14 February 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The BBC programme quoted from a 1948 document sent by the Chief of Police in Rangoon to the British Ambassador stating their belief that there had been British involvement in the assassination of Aung San and his Cabinet for which one of his political opponents was hanged and that "the go-between" had been a British Council official named in the programme.

=== Libya ===
In August 2011, a journalist from ''[[The Irish Times]]'' discovered a certificate dated 2007 issued by the British Council in [[Tripoli, Libya|Tripoli]] to a daughter of President [[Muammar Gaddafi|Gaddafi]] who had previously been said to have been killed in a US raid on Gaddafi's residence in 1986.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fitzgerald|first=Mary|title=Gadafy daughter who 'died' in 1986 alive|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0826/breaking15.html|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=2 April 2012|archive-date=5 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505130012/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0826/breaking15.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8725024/Libya-Hana-Gaddafi-alive-and-well.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8725024/Libya-Hana-Gaddafi-alive-and-well.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Libya: Hana Gaddafi 'alive and well' |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=14 February 2014 |location=London |first=Martin |last=Evans |date=26 August 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== English and examinations ===
In July 2011, the Hong Kong edition of ''[[China Daily Hong Kong Edition|China Daily]]'' reported on the flourishing "ghost-writing" industry that critics suggest has sprung up around the British Council IELTS tests in China.<ref>Wu, Kane,
[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hkedition/2011-07/14/content_12898594.htm "Ghost in the machine"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103023247/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hkedition/2011-07/14/content_12898594.htm |date=3 January 2012 }}. ''China Daily'', HongKong Focus, 14 July 2011.</ref>

A major IELTS corruption scandal in [[Western Australia]] resulted in prosecutions in November 2011.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/tenth-court-case-after-inquiry-into-curtin-ielts-scam/story-e6frgcjx-1226184963752 | work=The Australian | title=Tenth court case after inquiry into Curtin IELTS 'scam' | date=4 November 2011 | access-date=3 April 2012 | archive-date=10 November 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110224116/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/tenth-court-case-after-inquiry-into-curtin-ielts-scam/story-e6frgcjx-1226184963752 | url-status=live }}</ref>

=== ''Connecting Classrooms'' ===
In January 2012, the press in Pakistan reported that the Federal Investigations Agency was investigating a visa scam associated with the British Council's ''Connecting Classrooms'' programme.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gishkori |first=Zahid |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/315761/human-trafficking-fia-to-probe-fake-visa-case-involving-british-council/ |title=Human trafficking: FIA to probe fake visa case involving British Council |work=The Express Tribune |date=3 January 2012 |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193316/http://tribune.com.pk/story/315761/human-trafficking-fia-to-probe-fake-visa-case-involving-british-council/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Chairs==
The Council has been chaired by:
* 1934–37 [[William Tyrrell, 1st Baron Tyrrell|Lord Tyrrell]]<ref>[http://www.britishcouncil.org/new/about-us/our-history/facts-and-figures/#B/ Britishcouncil.org] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203040725/http://www.britishcouncil.org/new/about-us/our-history/facts-and-figures/#B/ |date=3 February 2011 }}. Retrieved 4 April 2011.</ref>
* 1937–41 [[George Lloyd, 1st Baron Lloyd|Lord Lloyd]]
* 1941–45 [[Malcolm Robertson (diplomat)|Sir Malcolm Robertson]]
* 1946–55 [[Sir Ronald Forbes Adam, 2nd Baronet|Sir Ronald Adam]]
* 1955–59 [[David Kelly (diplomat)|Sir David Kelly]]
* 1959–67 [[Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges|Lord Bridges]]
* 1968–71 [[John Fulton, Baron Fulton|Lord Fulton]]
* 1971–72 [[Leslie Rowan|Sir Leslie Rowan]]
* 1972–76 [[Bernard Fergusson, Baron Ballantrae|Lord Ballantrae]]
* 1977–84 Sir [[Charles Troughton]]
* 1985–92 [[Sir David Orr]]
* 1992–98 [[Martin Jacomb|Sir Martin Jacomb]]
* 1998–2004 [[Helena Kennedy, Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws|Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws]]<ref name=Guardian1>{{cite news|last=Wroe|first=Nicholas|title=A radical in the House|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2004/mar/27/featuresreviews.guardianreview16|work=The Guardian|date=27 March 2004|access-date=2 March 2011|location=London|archive-date=6 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506195700/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2004/mar/27/featuresreviews.guardianreview16|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2004–09 [[Neil Kinnock|Lord Kinnock]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishcouncil.org/new/press-office/press-releases/Lord-Kinnock-to-resign-after-four-and-a-half-outstanding-years-as-Chair-of-the-British-Council/|title=Press office|publisher=British Council|access-date=20 June 2009|archive-date=15 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090715183040/http://www.britishcouncil.org/new/press-office/press-releases/Lord-Kinnock-to-resign-after-four-and-a-half-outstanding-years-as-Chair-of-the-British-Council/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2010–16 Sir [[Vernon Ellis]]<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite press release|title=British Council appoints Christopher Rodrigues CBE as Chair|url=https://www.britishcouncil.org/organisation/press/british-council-appoints-christopher-rodrigues-cbe-chair|publisher=British Council|date = 14 April 2016|access-date = 9 April 2023}}</ref>
* 2016–19 Christopher Rodrigues<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
* 2019–23 [[Stevie Spring]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Stevie Spring CBE {{!}} British Council|url=https://www.britishcouncil.org/about-us/how-we-are-run/board-trustees/stevie-spring|access-date=2020-07-24|website=britishcouncil.org|language=en|archive-date=24 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724135613/https://www.britishcouncil.org/about-us/how-we-are-run/board-trustees/stevie-spring|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2024–present [[Paul Thompson (administrator)|Paul Thompson]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Billings |first=Lauren |date=2023-09-06 |title=British Council announces new Chair - E L Gazette |url=https://www.elgazette.com/british-council-announces-new-chair/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 September 2023 |title=Dr Paul Thompson appointed as British Council Chair |url=https://www.britishcouncil.org/about/press/dr-paul-thompson-appointed-british-council-chair |website=British Council}}</ref>

==Trade unions==
Some staff at the British Council are members of unions.<ref>British Council website [http://www.britishcouncil.org/new/PageFiles/6111/Industrial%20Relations.pdf 16 February 2009 Industrial Relations – Employee Relations] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001083607/http://www.britishcouncil.org/new/PageFiles/6111/Industrial%20Relations.pdf |date=1 October 2015 }}. Retrieved 30 September 2015</ref> UK staff are represented by the [[Public and Commercial Services Union]]. Some employees in Japan belong to the [[General Union (Japan)|General Union]].<ref>[[General Union (Japan)|General Union]] website [http://generalunion.org/Joomla/index.php/independents/504-gu-british-council-members-win-extended-rights GU British Council members win extended rights] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001204541/http://generalunion.org/Joomla/index.php/independents/504-gu-british-council-members-win-extended-rights |date=1 October 2015 }}. Retrieved 30 September 2015</ref>

==Publications==
{{Infobox journal
| title = Media in Education and Development
| italic title = no
| cover =
| discipline =
| abbreviation = Media Educ. Dev.
| editor =
| website = http://www.worldcat.org/title/media-in-education-and-development-med/oclc/8210712
| country = United Kingdom
| frequency = Quarterly
| history = 1967–1989
| impact =
| impact-year =
| link1 =
| link1-name =
| link2 =
| link2-name =
| ISSN = 0262-0251
| eISSN =
| OCLC = 8210712
}}
From 1967 to 1989, the British Council published the journal ''Media in Education and Development''.

=== History ===
Initially titled ''CETO news'', ISSN 0574-9409, it became ''Educational Television International: a journal of the Centre for Educational Television Overseas'', ISSN 0424-6128, in March 1967 (volume 1, issue 1).<ref>{{cite web | title = Educational television international | url = http://explore.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?ct=facet&fctN=facet_rtype&fctV=journals&vid=BLVU1&fn=search&vl%28freeText0%29=0424-6128 | publisher = [[British Library]] | access-date = 18 October 2015 | archive-date = 12 May 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230512155221/https://explore.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?ct=facet&fctN=facet_rtype&fctV=journals&vid=BLVU1&fn=search&vl(freeText0)=0424-6128 | url-status = live }}</ref> The journal changed its name again, in March 1971, to ''Educational Broadcasting International: a journal of the Centre for Educational Development Overseas'', ISSN 0013-1970 (volume 5, issue 1).<ref>{{cite web | title = Educational broadcasting international | url = http://explore.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?ct=facet&fctN=facet_rtype&fctV=journals&vid=BLVU1&fn=search&vl%28freeText0%29=0013-1970 | publisher = [[British Library]] | access-date = 18 October 2015 | archive-date = 12 May 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230512153719/https://explore.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?ct=facet&fctN=facet_rtype&fctV=journals&vid=BLVU1&fn=search&vl(freeText0)=0013-1970 | url-status = live }}</ref> Its final name change was to ''Media in Education and Development'', ISSN 0262-0251, in December 1981 (volume 14 issue 4).<ref>{{cite web | title = Media in education and development | url = http://explore.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?ct=facet&fctN=facet_rtype&fctV=journals&vid=BLVU1&fn=search&vl%28freeText0%29=0262-0251 | publisher = [[British Library]] | access-date = 18 October 2015 | archive-date = 17 May 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220517084202/http://explore.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?ct=facet&fctN=facet_rtype&fctV=journals&vid=BLVU1&fn=search&vl%28freeText0%29=0262-0251 | url-status = live }}</ref> The final issue went to print in 1989 (volume 22).<ref>{{cite web | title = Media in education and development : Med. | url = http://elibrary.wayne.edu/record=2584975 | publisher = [[Wayne State University]] | access-date = 18 October 2015 | archive-date = 8 December 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208073546/http://elibrary.wayne.edu/record=2584975 | url-status = live }}</ref>

=== British Council Partnership ===
* [https://www.britishcouncil.org/education/accreditation English UK]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.englishuk.com/en/students/english-in-the-uk/about-accreditation-uk|title=About Accreditation UK|website=englishuk.com|access-date=11 June 2017|archive-date=7 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607202313/http://www.englishuk.com/en/students/english-in-the-uk/about-accreditation-uk|url-status=live}}</ref>

===List of British Council approved centres===
* [[British Study Centres School of English|British Study Centres]]

== Annex ==
=== Locations ===
The British Council is organised into seven regions.

==== Americas ====
The British Council has offices in:
{{Div col}}
* {{ARG}}
* {{BRA}}
* {{CAN}}
* {{CHI}}
* {{COL}}
* {{CUB}}
* {{JAM}}
* {{MEX}}
* {{PER}}
* {{TTO}}
* {{URU}}
* {{USA}}
* {{VEN}}
{{Div col end}}

==== East Asia-Pacific ====
The British Council has offices in:
{{Div col}}
* {{AUS}}
* {{BRU}}
* {{CAM}}
* {{CHN}}
* {{HKG}}
* {{INA}}
* {{JPN}}
* {{KOR}}
* {{MAS}}
* {{MYA}}
* {{NZL}}
* {{PHI}}
* {{SIN}}
* {{TWN}}
* {{THA}}
* {{VIE}}
{{Div col end}}

==== Europe ====
The British Council has offices in:
{{Div col}}
* {{ALB}}
* {{AUT}}
* {{BEL}}
* {{BIH}}
* {{BUL}}
* {{CRO}}
* {{CYP}}
* {{CZE}}
* {{EST}}
* {{FRA}}
* {{GER}}
* {{GRE}}
* {{HUN}}
* {{IRL}}
* {{ITA}}
* {{LAT}}
* {{LIT}}
* {{MLT}}
* {{MNE}}
* {{NED}}
* {{MKD}}
* {{NOR}}
* {{POL}}
* {{POR}}
* {{ROM}}
* {{SRB}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcouncil.rs/en/about |title=Belgrade was one of the first eight cities in which the British Council opened its offices overseas in 1940 |publisher=British Council |access-date=20 January 2024 }}</ref>
* {{SLO}}
* {{SVK}}
* {{ESP}}
* {{SUI}}
* {{UKR}}
* {{UK}}
{{Div col end}}

==== West Asia and North Africa ====
The British Council has offices in:
{{Div col}}
* {{ARM}}
* {{AZE}}
* {{EGY}}
* {{ALG}}
* {{flagicon|Bahrain}} [[Bahrain]]
* {{GEO}}
* {{IRQ}}
* {{JOR}}
* {{KUW}}
* {{LBN}}
* {{LBA}}
* {{KAZ}}
* {{MAR}}
* {{OMA}}
* {{PLE}}
* {{QAT}}
* {{KSA}}
* {{SYR}}
* {{TUN}}
* {{TUR}}
* {{UAE}}
* {{UZB}}
* {{YEM}}
{{Div col end}}

==== South Asia ====
The British Council has offices in:
{{Div col}}
* {{BAN}}
* {{IND}}
* {{NEP}}
* {{PAK}}
* {{SRI}}
{{Div col end}}

==== Sub-Saharan Africa ====
The British Council has offices in:
{{Div col}}
* {{BOT}}
* {{CMR}}
* {{ERI}}
* {{ETH}}
* {{GHA}}
* {{KEN}}
* {{MAW}}
* {{MRI}}
* {{MOZ}}
* {{NAM}}
* {{NGR}}
* {{SEN}}
* {{SLE}}
* {{RSA}}
* {{SSD}}
* {{SUD}}
* {{TAN}}
* {{ZAM}}
* {{ZIM}}
* {{RWA}}
* {{UGA}}
{{Div col end}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|United Kingdom|Education
}}
* [[Eunic]]
* [[Teaching English as a second or foreign language]] (TEFL)
* [[Cultural diplomacy]]
* [[Public diplomacy]]
* [[Goethe-Institut]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|3}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website}}
* [http://film.britishcouncil.org/ British Council Film] directory
* [http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130302075316/http://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/documents/RoyalCharter.pdf Royal Charter of the British Council] (1993).
* [https://mrc.epexio.com/records/BCW Catalogue of the British Council Whitley Council Staff/Trade Union Side archives], held at the [[Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick]]
* [https://artsandculture.google.com/u/0/partner/british-council?hl=en%3F%3F Virtual tour of the British Council] provided by [[Google Arts & Culture]]
* {{commons category-inline}}

{{Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office}}
{{International cultural promotion organizations}}
{{Prince of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:British Council| ]]
[[Category:1934 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:British propaganda organisations]]
[[Category:Cultural organisations based in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Cultural promotion organizations]]
[[Category:English as a global language]]
[[Category:English-language education]]
[[Category:Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office]]
[[Category:Foreign Office during World War II]]
[[Category:Funding bodies in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Language advocacy organizations]]
[[Category:Non-departmental public bodies of the United Kingdom government]]
[[Category:Organisations based in the London Borough of Newham]]
[[Category:Organisations based in the United Kingdom with royal patronage]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1934]]
[[Category:Scholarships in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Stratford, London]]
[[Category:Organizations listed in Russia as undesirable]]