BEO: British English Olympics

INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH COMPETITION

Represent your school in academic challenges at an international level

SUBMIT YOUR SCHOOL

Ages

12-16 years old

Destination

United Kingdom

Duration

2 weeks

English level

Minimum: B1

What is BEO?

BEO (British English Olympics) is an international academic competition held in English, with events designed to assess a range of skills, including:

Public speaking and improvisation

Real world research and analysis

Debate and argumentation

Winning schools in recent years

We recognize the schools and students who have excelled in our BEO international competitions

Year	Theme	Champion
2026	Beyond Borders: Uniting the World through Cross-Cultural Communication and Storytelling	🥇 🇧🇷 Playpen Cidade Jardim TEAM 1 🥈 🇨🇴 Colegio Jefferson 🥉 🇧🇷 Brazilian International School
2025	Eco Warriors	🇹🇭 Chulalongkorn Secondary
2024	AI Unleashed	🇧🇷 Brazilian International School
2023	The Crux of Society	🇨🇱 Craighouse School
2022	The World of Truth	🇧🇷 Colegio Serios

Experience the BEO

More than just a competition, it’s an opportunity to grow, connect with the world and discover your potential

How does it work?

BEO is one of the world’s most prestigious English language competitions. For over 15 years, it has brought together outstanding students from bilingual schools in more than 30 countries in the United Kingdom, giving them the opportunity to demonstrate their language skills in an international academic setting.

Usually in October, the Official Guidelines are published, setting out the rules, procedures and the central theme for that year’s competition. This document provides delegations with all the information they need to prepare properly and make the most of their experience at the competition.

APPLY

MORE INFORMATION

What does the BEO experience include?

Destination

United Kingdom

Accommodation

Boarding school

Duration

15 days, 14 nights

Meals

3 meals a day

Transportation

By private coach and public transport

Academic

High-level academic competitions

Travel insurance

Medical insurance covering major expenses

Staff

24/7 support and supervision

Places you'll get to visit

British Museum

Houses of Parliament

Westminster

Leicester Square

Big Ben

Galería_Nacional,_Londres,_Inglaterra,_2014-08-07,_DD_036.jpeg

National Gallery

Buckingham Palace

Trafalgar Square

Tower Bridge

Tower of London

Oxford Street

West End Musical

London Eye

And many more

3 full days in London

1 day at university city (Oxford or Cambridge)

1 day at an iconic city

Tourist Extensions

If you’d like to make your experience even more rewarding, take a look at our range of sightseeing and cultural excursions.

Paris

FAQs

How can I tell if BEO is the right programme for my students?

BEO is ideal for students aged between 12 and 16 who are interested in debating, public speaking and academic challenges. It is an excellent option for those who wish to practise their English in an international setting, compete against students from other countries and develop skills such as argumentation, communication and critical thinking.

Is previous experience required to participate?

No previous experience in academic competitions or debates is required.

The only essential requirement is a minimum B1 level of English, as all activities, including debates, presentations and academic challenges, are conducted entirely in this language.

Can students participate individually?

No.

The British English Olympics is designed for students to participate as part of an official delegation from their educational institution, representing both their school and their country.

Each delegation must consist of a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 20 students, accompanied by supervising teachers appointed by the institution.

What documentation is required to take part?

Students must hold a valid passport and submit the required documentation to complete their enrolment.

Immigration and visa requirements depend on each participant’s nationality.

Each family is responsible for arranging their own visa; however, BEO World provides guidance and information throughout the process.

When will the campus where the students will be staying be announced?

The programme venue is announced approximately one month before the trip via newsletters and BEO World’s official communication channels.

The information is shared with students, families and accompanying teachers.

Are there any additional costs on top of the programme fee?

Yes. The flight ticket is priced separately from the programme.

Similarly, any costs associated with obtaining a visa, where required, are the responsibility of each family.

Participants may also choose to book travel extensions or other additional activities at an extra cost. To find out about the options available, please contact your BEO World representative.

Do you need to prepare before participating?

Yes. Each educational institution prepares its delegation before the trip.

To support this process, BEO World provides guidelines containing all the necessary information for the competition and organises webinars aimed at teachers and students, with a view to guiding their preparations ahead of the programme.

When is information about the programme’s academic content, such as the main theme and the learning outcomes for each intake, made available?

Academic information is included in the guidelines for each edition of the BEO.

This document is sent to the teachers in charge of each delegation approximately six months before the trip (usually in October), to ensure they have sufficient time to prepare their students.

START YOUR GLOBAL JOURNEY TODAY

Discover how we can guide you through your next international journey

CONTACT AN ADVISOR