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Web & Print eligibility

Eligibility criteria for purchasing profiles on the Education UK website and in Education UK publications

The Education UK website and publications feature ‘profiles’ of UK schools, colleges, universities, English language providers and other relevant education organisations, such as examination boards and professional associations.

The profiles are designed to help such UK education providers to promote their courses and services to international students.

The eligibility criteria for purchasing a profile are outlined below in the following three sections:

1. What type of organisation can purchase a profile?
2. Quality and recognition of qualifications
3. Accreditation

What type of organisation can purchase a profile?

Profiles are designed for UK education providers - including schools, colleges, universities, English language providers and other relevant education organisations, such as examination boards and professional associations.

Profiles are open to such education providers that:

• meet the three eligibility criteria sections listed here
• have their primary base / headquarters in the United Kingdom.
• have no outstanding debts or disputes with the British Council.

Profiles can be purchased on an individual institutional or a ‘group’ basis. ‘Group’ profiles will be granted providing that:

• the UK company and / or its subsidiaries is registered at Companies House
• the group can demonstrate that they are one legal entity
• there are clear lines of ownership between the named constituent members and the UK company and / or its subsidiaries
• each constituent member of the group meets the eligibility criteria in their own right.

Quality and recognition of qualifications

A fundamental strength of UK qualifications is their worldwide recognition and high quality. All profiles featured on the Education UK website and in Education UK publications must support this.

To be eligible to purchase a profile, the qualifications offered by the education provider must be recognised UK qualifications (this includes the International Baccalaureate) regulated by one of the following bodies:

• Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)
• Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)
• Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
• Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS)
• Council for the Curriculum Examinations & Assessment (CCEA)

Applications from education providers whose qualifications are not regulated by the above bodies will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the British Council.

Where the education provider offers a mix of recognised UK qualifications and international/non-recognised qualifications, again, applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the British Council.

Accreditation

Education providers wishing to purchase a profile must also meet the accreditation requirements outlined in the table below.

Institution type

Accreditation and eligibility criteria

University

Higher education institution

College of further education

College of higher education

Listed on the UK Border Agency Register of Tier 4 Sponsors  ( Click here for details) OR eligible to receive international students on a Student Visitor Visa ( Click here for details) at the time of application

Offering qualifications from the UK qualifications framework*.

Private or independent college

Listed on the UK Border Agency Register of Tier 4 Sponsors  ( Click here for details) OR eligible to receive international students on a Student Visitor Visa ( Click here for details) at the time of application

Offering qualifications from the UK qualifications framework*.

Private associate feeder company

Eligibility under the host institution will be granted providing that there is written evidence from the host institution that they will act as sponsor for all incoming international students. An example of such evidence is a signed letter sent to Education UK. We will also seek a letter from the UK Border Agency stating that the private associate feeder company will not require separate accreditation / registration on their Points Based System register of employers and sponsors. Any exceptions will be considered on an individual basis by the British Council.

State or independent boarding school

Listed on the UK Border Agency Register of Tier 4 Sponsors  ( Click here for details) OR eligible to receive international students on a Student Visitor Visa ( Click here for details) at the time of application

Registered with either:

• England: Department for Children, Schools and Families
• Scotland: Department of Education and Lifelong Learning
• Wales: Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills
• Northern Ireland: Department of Education

English language school

Accredited by Accreditation UK ( Click here for details)

Examination board

Offering qualifications regulated by:

• QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority)
• SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority)
• DCELLS (Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills)
• CCEA (Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment)

Professional body or Associate member

At the discretion of the British Council

*The UK qualifications framework consists of qualifications that are recognised by:

• the QCA in England
• the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales
• the CCEA in Northern Ireland
• the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework.

Boarding schools must provide boarding facilities that meet National Boarding Standards inspected by OFSTED. Other institutions, such as day schools, tutorial or independent colleges that do not provide boarding but meet the rest of the criteria, will be considered on a case by case basis.

Applicants must give permission for the British Council to receive copies of all information supplied to or requested by the accrediting body which undertook their accreditation. The British Council will also solicit a copy of the inspectors’ report from the accrediting body that carried out the accreditation of any applicant.

The decision of the British Council is final and no appeals process will be entered into.

DCSIMG