Requesting Information

If you are unable to find the information you require on our website or on our country websites you can make a Freedom of Information request. The information below is to help you make a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) by completing the online request form.

All requests must be in writing and must include your name and an address (either email or a physical address). All FOIA requests to the British Council will be acknowledged and you will be provided with a unique reference number in relation to that request. Should you wish to contact the British Council in relation to your request, please quote this number on all correspondence. Please note that should we need to contact you to discuss your request; we will use the contact details you have provided unless you indicate otherwise.

To make a request for information not published on our Information Guide please:

  • send a hardcopy of your request to the address below or
  • complete and submit the FOIA online request form

Please be as specific as possible about the information you would like to receive.

To assist us with our searches, please provide us with any additional information you think might be helpful such as:

  • the subject matter
  • a time frame

If it relates to a specific document or report please provide additional information such as:

  • the date of production
  • author
  • its likely location
  • the relevant member of staff, office or department. 

Although you must submit a request in writing, if you have any questions or require further information and  would like to speak to someone in person, you can the Information and Knowledge Management team on + 44 (0) 207 389 3121 or  +44 (0)161 957 7624.

Under FOIA, public authorities are entitled to withhold information when an appropriate exemption can be applied. Details of these exemptions are available via the Information Commissioner’s website.

Please note that some of our publications will have been redacted (removed) prior to publication; where information has been redacted, this will be made clear in the published information along with an explanation as to why this information was redacted in line with the exemptions available to the British Council.  

FOIA allows 20 working days, from the date the request is received at the British Council to respond. The exception to this is where:

  • a qualified exemption may apply and the public interest test needs to be considered, or
  • a request is unclear and clarification is required.

If you require personal information about yourself, it should be requested under the Data Protection Act 1998. Information can be found here: www.dpr.gov.uk

How to contact us

FOIA: online request form

Email: foi@britishcouncil.org

Information and Knowledge Management
British Council 
10 Spring Gardens
London SW1A 2BN
United Kingdom

Phone + 44 (0) 207 389 3121 or 44 (0)161 957 7624

Complaints

If you would like to make a complaint about our people, our work, our website, our programmes or our services please refer to our Customer Services for contact details.