Is the British Council operating on borrowed time?
The British Council (BC) is facing a growing set of challenges that threaten to reshape its role in the global English language testing industry. In August 2022, the BC sold its lucrative India IELTS business to IDP Education Ltd. for £130 million, relinquishing its stake in what was once one of its largest markets. Just two years later, in September 2024, the UK Home Office announced a review of the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) sector, signalling a shift toward a dedicated, Home Office-owned English language test. This move, a surprise to much of the industry, has introduced new uncertainties for both SELT providers and candidates worldwide.
The Home Office plans to replace the current model—where multiple providers offer secure English language tests—with a single, standardized test developed and branded by the Home Office and operated by a single supplier. With an estimated contract value of £1.13 billion, the tender is split into two key components: the development and support of a Home Office-branded test and the facilitation of this test worldwide. The scope of this tender raises questions about the future of the BC, which has been one of the key players in the English language testing market through its partnership with IELTS.
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