Since 1982, the British Council has set the UK's benchmark for English Language Teaching (ELT). In partnership with English UK since 2006, Accreditation UK is recognised as one of the world’s most rigorous inspection regimes for English language providers.
Our impact
In 2023, accredited UK ELT centres welcomed nearly 400,000 students from around the globe. This vibrant sector is crucial to the UK economy, driving employment and fostering economic growth. Historically, it has generated £1.4 billion annually and supported 35,700 jobs across education, hospitality, and tourism. The British Council accredits over 350 language centres across the UK. The sector continues to bolster the UK’s prestigious global educational reputation.
Accreditation benefits
British Council accreditation gives students, their parents and education advisors an assurance of quality, with access to independent information about centres. Students benefit from wide choice of courses and locations, clear advertising and complaints procedures, and protection in case of centre closures. Participation in the accreditation process offers language centres visibility, development opportunities, support and access to Engligh UK membership.
Governance and quality assurance
Accreditation UK is an independent scheme managed collaboratively by the British Council and English UK. Our governance structure includes an Executive Board and an Accreditation Scheme Advisory Committee (ASAC), ensuring that strategic oversight and industry expertise inform our standards.
Our comprehensive inspections cover all facets of ELT, including teaching quality, premises and resources, student welfare, safeguarding, and management. Each accredited centre is subject to a four-year inspection cycle, complemented by unannounced interim visits to uphold continuous quality assurance. More information about how we monitor accredited centres is available here.