Applications now open in Hong Kong for British Council IELTS Prize (East Asia) 2019/20, supporting 30 test takers to study abroad

HONG KONG,Jan. 22,2020 -- The British Council in Hong Kong is pleased to announce that applications for the British Council IELTS Prize (East Asia) 2019/20 are now being accepted until 30 April 2020. The IELTS Prize is open to students who plan to begin undergraduate or postgraduate studies locally or overseas in the 2020/21 academic year. Three motivated students from Hong Kong will share local prizes,amounting to HKD 150,000. The first prize winner in Hong Kong will then go on to compete in the East Asia regional[2] finals,where three outstanding winners will be awarded regional prizes,totalling up to HKD 580,000[3].

The British Council IELTS Prize encourages applicants to pursue their dreams in any discipline they desire. Essential eligibility criteria require that applicants a) hold a minimum band score of 6 in each of the four components of an IELTS test taken with British Council in the East Asia region[4] after 1 April 2019,and b) intend to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate studies locally or abroad at degree level in the 2020/21 academic year at a tertiary institution that accepts IELTS as part of its admission requirements. Shortlisting and interviewing will take place in June 2020. The selection panel will award the IELTS Prize to individuals who show a passion to contribute to society with knowledge and skills they will gain from their studies.

"The British Council IELTS Prize (East Asia) is bestowed on young scholars from diverse backgrounds who strive to achieve their study dreams. As an organisation that offers life-changing opportunities through delivering millions of exams annually,we are delighted to support these exceptional individuals to pursue higher education abroad,expand their understanding of the world,and return with new knowledge,improved confidence and fresh insights to serve their home country," says Trish Thomson,British Council Regional Marketing Director,East Asia.

Since its launch in 2011,over 270 IELTS test takers have been awarded the IELTS Prize,pursuing tertiary education in destinations abroad,including the UK,US,Canada,Australia,France and Singapore in disciplines ranging from Medicine,Engineering,Science,and Business Management to Public Communication,Media,Performance,and many more.

Dillon,Chew Wei Xuan from Singapore,the Regional Grand Prize 2018/19 winner,currently a first year Biotechnology student at the University of Cambridge,notes,"studying abroad has always been a dream of mine. The British Council IELTS Prize has enabled me to fly the nest and experience the intellectually stimulating and engaging education the University of Cambridge has to offer. I am thrilled to have met lots of like-minded people from all over the world,to share our different interests and experiences,and discuss a wide range of exciting topics from Science to Politics,with English as a common language."

Applications for the British Council IELTS Prize (East Asia) 2019/20 will close at 18.00 Hong Kong-time on 30 April 2020. The winners will be announced in July 2020. For more details,please visit https://www.ieltsasia.org/ieltsprize. For previous winners' interview,please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6QKJX6IOQE

Remarks:

Local and Regional Prize Structure

Local Prizes

First Prize

HKD 60,000

Second Prize

HKD 50,000

Third Prize

HKD 40,000

Regional Prizes

Grand Prize

First-year tuition fee up to HKD 400,000

Second Prize

HKD 100,000

Third Prize

HKD 80,000

For more information,contact Shane Hou,British Council in Hong Kong Exams Marketing Manager on +852 2913 5551 or shane.hou@britishcouncil.org.hk

Notes to Editors:

About the British Council

The British Council is the UK's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We work with over 100 countries in the fields of arts and culture,English language,education and civil society. Last year we reached over 80 million people directly and 791 million people overall including online,through broadcasts and publications. We make a positive contribution to the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities,building connections and engendering trust. Founded in 1934 we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. We receive 15 per cent core funding grant from the UK government. The British Council has been working with Hong Kong since 1948. In 2018,we marked our 70th anniversary,celebrating 70 years of cultural relations and exchange between the UK and Hong Kong.www.britishcouncil.org

About International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System,the world's most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration,with over 3.5 million tests taken in the last year. More than 10,000 organisations trust and accept IELTS as a secure,valid and reliable indicator of true-to-life ability to communicate in English for education,immigration and professional accreditation. IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council,IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment. Test takers are measured in listening,reading,writing and speaking. All tests are scored on a banded system from 1 (the lowest) through to 9 (the highest band). https://www.britishcouncil.hk/en/exam/ielts

[1] Participating East Asian countries/territories include Hong Kong/Macau,Indonesia,Korea,Malaysia,the Philippines,Singapore,Taiwan,Thailand and Vietnam.

[2] Participating East Asian countries/territories include Hong Kong/Macau,Thailand and Vietnam.

[3]Actual amount depends on the relevant university's first-year tuition fee for Regional Grand Prize winner.

[4] Participating East Asian countries/territories include Hong Kong/Macau,Thailand and Vietnam.