Following on from our previous update, please find below detailed information on the latest implications of the coronavirus outbreak in China.

British Council offices and activities

All British Council offices in China will remain closed until Monday 10 February, in line with the Chinese government's requirement.

A decision on whether scheduled British Council March education activities in China will go ahead will be made on a case by case basis as we continue to assess the evolving situation. All impacted institutions will be updated accordingly.

Update on IELTS testing

All decisions have been made in line with the advice of national healthcare authorities.

Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR

• All IELTS and IELTS for UKVI tests are currently suspended in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR:
   
  
  • Mainland China           - tests currently suspended until 1 March 2020
  • Macau                         - tests currently suspended until 11 February 2020
  • Hong Kong                  - tests currently suspended until 17 February 2020
     
• These dates will be reviewed as the situation develops and we will continue to update this post.
• Transfers, deferrals and refunds are available as appropriate for affected test takers.  They can get further information by contacting their test centre by email.
• Many test takers in these locations will be delayed in sitting a test and subsequently sending their IELTS scores to institutions. We hope that schools, colleges, universities and other institutions understand that this delay will be through no fault of the candidate and hope that they will be able to extend the application process for these applicants. Moving forward the IELTS Partners will be looking to increase test session availability as soon as they can re-start testing.

Other locations

• Tests scheduled in other locations are currently not affected, though this may change based on the advice of health authorities. The IELTS partners and test centres will keep test takers informed of any changes.
• If your students have registered for an IELTS test and have any concerns or questions about the arrangements for their test, please advise them to email their test centre directly.

More information

• For further developments in IELTS test arrangements as a result of Novel Coronavirus precautions, please see: https://www.ielts.org/news/2020/changes-to-ielts-test-arrangements-in-some-locations-due-to-novel-coronavirus.

Market support

We are currently exploring alternative marketing and student recruitment solutions for UK institutions where on-the-ground activities in China have been affected by the outbreak.

If you are interested in alternative solutions or you require any support for your activities in China at this time please contact IES.China@britishcouncil.org.cn.

We will continue to provide updates on our China operations to all UK institutions through this platform.

Please subscribe to email alerts for China (through your account settings) to receive updates directly to your inbox.

Further details on the impact of coronavirus on British Council activity in Hong Kong can be found here: https://education-services.britishcouncil.org/news/market-news/update-coronavirus-prevention-measures-hong-kong