Scotland

19 September 2012

We build trust and international opportunities for Scotland.

 
 
 
Trust and international opportunities for Scotland
 
  • The British Council creates international opportunities for the people of Scotland and the UK, and builds trust for Scotland worldwide. We call this cultural relations.
  • We share Scotland’s great cultural assets: its distinctive education system, internationally renowned arts and the English language. This:
    • builds trust for the people of Scotland and the UK and supports Scotland’s trade, exports and prosperity around the world
    • encourages people to visit, study in, and do business with Scotland and the UK.
 
Growth and prosperity for Scotland
 
  • We increase awareness and opportunities for Scotland and the rest of the UK in the big emerging economies such as China, India and Brazil.
     
  • We support Scotland’s higher education system, encouraging international students to study in Scotland and international universities to partner with Scottish universities. 
     
  • We connect Scottish schools with their international counterparts, helping Scottish schoolchildren to learn languages and learn about the world. 
     
  • We helped create the Edinburgh Festival and today promote it worldwide at the same time as bringing world talent to participate and collaborate.
 
 Excellent value for Scotland
 
  • We take an entrepreneurial approach, earning 75% of our own income through English teaching, qualifications and contracts, as well as receiving funding from all four UK governments.
     
  • Individuals and institutions increasingly buy our services and contract us for our skills in education and international development, as well as to access Scottish and UK expertise.
     
  • Income earned this way funds the majority of our turnover, reducing our call on the taxpayer. This is great value for Scotland and the countries of the UK.
 
FACTS
 
The British Council opened in Edinburgh in 1946 to promote Scottish culture and learning to the rest of the world. 
 
The British Council brings Scotland global reach and an on-the-ground network at the service of Scotland. In more than 100 countries worldwide, the British Council supports Scotland's profile and standing in the world.  
 
The Edinburgh Festival is now the world’s largest cultural festival and generates nearly £250m for Scotland annually. The British Council promotes it worldwide.
 
By working in partnership with Festivals Edinburgh, for example, we have helped create new openings, interest and markets in China, India and Brazil among other countries, bringing economic and cultural benefits and returns to Scotland as a whole.
 
In the arts, we are building partnerships with the major national arts institutions, festivals and companies. Particular attention is paid to international flagships such as Edinburgh International Festival and Festivals Edinburgh, as well as with the Scottish government (in particular the Arts & Culture Directorate), national programmes, and national cultural agencies, including, as a priority, Creative Scotland and Scottish Opera.
 
In education, our key partnerships are with higher education institutions and national organisations in Scotland, including Universities Scotland, Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework Partnership, Scottish Qualification Authority, Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Development International, Education Scotland and General Teaching Council for Scotland; and with the Scottish government, in particular its Education Directorate, and national initiatives.  
 
The British Council supports and assists visiting cultural and educational missions from Scotland, connecting them with the right people and institutions.
 
We also work closely with international higher education policy bodies overseas with an interest in Scotland. In the areas of civil society and green science, we are ensuring Scotland is active in global projects concerning skills for social entrepreneurs, creative cities, and the global exchange of volunteers between twinned towns and cities.
 
In 2011-12 there were 1,000 international school partnership projects in Scotland, reaching 24% of Scotland’s 2,700 schools.  
 
The Erasmus programme for Scotland led to 2,129 student and 433 staff exchanges, 1,650 study exchanges and 47 work placements for students.  
 
Last year, missions by senior academics from 17 Scottish higher education institutions to China and 14 to India led to £1.09m of business.  Scotland linked with 52 higher education institutions in China, 47 in India, 26 in the US, 15 in Canada, 14 in Pakistan and 13 in Russia.  
 
In 2011-12 more than 37,000 overseas students came to Scotland, representing 1.2% of the world’s share and 12% of the UK share.
 
The British Council is a UK-wide body that is politically impartial.  Our core UK government funding comes from HM Treasury, via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and we respond to the needs and demands of Scotland in line with our published corporate plan.