We uniquely combine the UK’s deep expertise in arts and culture, education and the English language, our global presence and relationships in over 100 countries, our unparalleled access to young people and influencers and our creative sparkle.
We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.
We work with governments and our partners in the education, English language and cultural sectors, in the UK and globally. Working together we make a bigger difference, creating benefit for millions of people all over the world.
We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021–22 we reached 650 million people.
Our status
We are:
- registered charity no 209131 (England and Wales) and SC037733 (Scotland)
- an executive non-departmental public body. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is our sponsoring department
- a public corporation.
Our Patron was Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II until the time of her passing. Our Vice Patron was His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (Tywysog Cymru) until his Accession as His Majesty King Charles III.
Our values
Our values underpin everything we say and do, how we work with people, behave towards them and communicate. Here is a brief description of what each one means to us.
Open and committed
Our belief in what we do translates into a deep and long-term commitment to the people we work with and the places where we work. We tackle challenges and take responsibility with openness and honesty to bring about positive change.
Expert and inclusive
Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. By involving everyone in the conversation we learn from each other and bring together all of our experience, knowledge and expertise to do the best work that we can.
Optimistic and bold
We believe in the potential of young people to create a better world. Inspired by this optimism, we are positive and creative and we focus on what works. We are not afraid to make bold choices to shape a better future for everyone.
Our History
We were founded in 1934, and our first overseas offices opened in 1938, making us the oldest cultural relations organisation in the world.
Originally, we were called the British Committee for Relations with Other Countries.
Why the British Council was created
The early 1930s were a time of global instability. Britain’s influence was weakened because of a global financial depression, which reduced living standards, jobs, and trade.
At the same time, extreme ideologies were gaining ground, with the rise of Communism in Russia, and Fascism in Germany, Italy and Spain.
The UK government created the British Council in response. In our annual report for 1940-41, the aim was:
‘to create in a country overseas a basis of friendly knowledge and understanding of the people of this country, of their philosophy and way of life, which will lead to a sympathetic appreciation of British foreign policy, whatever for the moment that policy may be and from whatever political conviction it may spring.’
One mission since 1940
Our work has evolved, but we continue to make a positive contribution to the countries we work with. In doing so, we improve the UK’s international standing, prosperity and security.
In 1940, we were granted a Royal Charter  –  a formal document issued by the monarch. It set out our mission as:
‘promoting a wider knowledge of [the UK] and the English language abroad and developing closer cultural relations between [the UK] and other countries.’
Archives
We do not physically hold archive material. Our records are held in UK repositories, which are listed below with a summary of the type of material available.
- The National Archives  are the main repository of British Council records. Here, you can find policy records, committee minutes, and reports on British Council activities.
- The Tate Archive  holds the archives of our Visual Arts teams.
- The British Library  collects our publications, including annual reports.
- The British Library Sound Archive  holds the work of our recordings unit from the 1940s onwards, and the recordings of a staff oral history project.
- The British Film Institute  (BFI) holds a collection of films produced and sponsored by us in the 1930s and 1940s. These are available to watch on the British Council Film  website.
- The Modern Records Centre at the University of Warwick  holds the archives of our staff association and trade union.
- The Special Collections of the University of Reading  holds a collection of letters between notable British authors and our Literature department.
Contact us
Call us at +44 (0)161 957 7755
Write to us at
British Council Customer Service UK
Bridgewater House
58 Whitworth Street
Manchester
M1 6BB
English