Apply for Accreditation

• Demonstrated commitment to quality: Accreditation by the British Council showcases your centre's commitment to maintaining high standards, reinforced using the ‘Accredited by the British Council’ marque.
• Drive continuous improvement: Regular inspections and sharing of best practices offer ongoing opportunities to enhance the quality of your services.
• Visa eligibility: Accredited centres are eligible to enrol students on short-term study visas, allowing:
• Up to six months for students under 18.
• Up to 11 months for students aged 18 and over (English language only).
• Incidental study for up to 30 days for those on a standard visitor visa.
• Increased visibility: Your centre will be included in the list of accredited providers on the British Council and Study UK website, enhancing your reach and reputation.
• Exclusive opportunities: Accredited providers gain access to market reports, events, and tendering opportunities that are exclusively available to them.
• Overseas promotion: Benefit from the British Council’s extensive network, including over 100 offices worldwide and the work of British Council ELT promotion staff in both the UK and overseas markets.
• English UK membership: Accredited centres are eligible for English UK membership, which gives them access to additional industry resources and networking opportunities to support growth and development in the competitive English language teaching market.

Typically, to apply for British Council accreditation, your organisation should:

• Be based in the UK and offer English language teaching within the UK.
• Have provided English language teaching in the UK for at least one year for full-status accreditation.
• Have students on English courses at the time of inspection.
• Provisional accreditation is now available for new providers not yet meeting the one-year minimum operating period. 
• (For private sector organisations only) The proprietor must be a permanent resident of the UK, or if a company have a registered office in the UK.
• To check your eligibility or request more information, complete our Accreditation Suitability Questionnaire for new applicants.

Before you apply

Evaluate your organisation against the Inspection criteria (PDF) using our Self-evaluation template 2024 (Word) and Self-evaluation examples (PDF).

Attend an online briefing session or familiarise yourself with the process by watching our Introduction to Inspection video.

Applying for Inspection

Download and complete the correct forms and submit your application and supporting documents via email to accreditation.unit@britishcouncil.org

• Private sector (Word) 
• State sector (Word)
• Home tuition providers (Word)
• First application checklist (Word)

Application deadlines for inspection months in 2025/26:

Once your application has been checked and approved, we will inform you and pass it to the Inspections Coordinator to arrange your inspection.

At this stage, you must submit additional documentation and consult the following guidance: Inspection documentation and guidance. Use the following templates to prepare your documentation:

Staff and Organisational Information

• Academic staff profile spreadsheet (Excel)

• List of staff template (Excel)

• Organisation profile (Word)

• Organisation profile for multi-centre organisations (Word)

• Organisation plan template (Word)

Academic Management & Recruitment

• Recruitment and support policy template (Word). Language centres must show how their recruitment and support policies ensure an academic staff team appropriate to the centre’s courses and students.

• Academic staff qualifications guidance (PDF)

• Qualifications evaluation form (Word)

• Rationale for academic management template (Word). This form should be used if no academic manager fully meets the scheme requirements.

Annual Accreditation declaration and reporting changes

To maintain your centre’s accreditation, complete your annual declaration via our online platform. If your centre undergoes significant changes, such as a new owner, principal, academic manager, or change of premises, please notify us immediately using the Notification of Changes form, also available online.

Opening a new centre

If your accredited centre is opening a new school or location, the primary contact must submit a Request for Extension of Accreditation form (Word)

Reinspection

Accredited centres undergo reinspection every four years; the Accreditation Unit will contact you with proposed inspection dates and application deadlines.

The British Council accreditation process involves several fees to ensure a thorough evaluation of your institution. Here's a breakdown. The costs associated with Accreditation are detailed in the Full Fees sheet 2024-25.

When you apply for Accreditation:

• Scrutiny Fee (£200): This covers your application's initial processing and review.
• Inspection Fees: Variable Cost (Estimated Range: £1,800 - £6,100). This fee is based on the complexity and duration of the inspection process, determined by your institution's size and scope. For detailed cost estimates, refer to the Accreditation UK Handbook. 

Ongoing Costs After Accreditation:

• Annual Fee: Calculated based on the number of student weeks you deliver ( £100 discounted for English UK members). Find the calculation method in the Guide for Student Week calculation.
• Student Emergency Support Fund (SESF) Contribution: An additional contribution to the SES Fund is required alongside the annual fee. This contribution varies based on your fee band, ranging from £100 to £200, depending on the volume of student weeks. This fund provides support in emergency situations affecting students.
• Spot Check Inspection (First 18 Months): An additional cost of approximately £550 for a surprise inspection.
• Re-Inspection Costs (Every 4 Years): Costs similar to the initial inspection to maintain Accreditation.

To remain accredited, timely payment of the annual fee, SESF contribution, and any re-inspection/spot check fees is essential.