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Director's Welcome

Profile photo of Giles Blackburne

Dr. Giles Blackburne, Director

As the UK’s engagement with China continues to develop and grow in significance, the need for mutual understanding between China and the UK is becoming ever more important. Established in 2012 under a joint agreement between the University of Leeds and Beijing’s University of International Business and Economics, the Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds (BCI) is dedicated to promoting an understanding of Chinese language and culture within the business, education and creative sectors, showcasing the partner universities’ research expertise about China and raising awareness about Chinese customs and traditions within the wider community.

Classes delivered by our team of Chinese language teachers and instructors can help both beginners and returnees to develop their language skills and also to assess their level through the official Chinese proficiency tests provided by The National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (HANBAN), such as HSK (for general use), YCT (Youth Chinese) and BCT (Business Chinese). Our one to one culture and language taster sessions can serve as pre-visit briefings for trips relating to business, leisure or study and our calendar of events offer a panorama of traditional Chinese culture and modern society.

If you have an interest in Chinese language and culture, then do get in touch. We would very much like to hear from you and also to have an opportunity to offer you warm Confucian welcome!

Dr Giles Blackburne

Executive Director

The Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds