The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for educational and cultural relations. Its purpose is to sustain networks and build lasting relationships between people in the UK and around the world by providing access to learning opportunities and creative ideas from a contemporary and culturally diverse UK.

The work of the British Council includes teaching English, promoting and enhancing quality education and training in the UK and world-wide, running information centres, working closely with governments and NGOs on reform and good governance, and demonstrating the innovation and creativity of arts, science and technology from the United Kingdom.

The British Council is an independent agency established by Royal Charter and receives a grant-in-aid from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the United Kingdom and also generates a substantial earned income through the teaching of English, conducting of British examinations and management of development and training contracts.

The British Council has approximately 110 offices worldwide.