Understanding the British Council’s refund policy is essential before you register for your international qualifications.
Cancelling your registration before the deadline
Candidates may cancel their registration and claim a refund if they notify our customer service centre before the British Council’s normal registration date deadline. An administrative fee of 25% of the total exam fee will be charged for such cancellations, in accordance with the British Council’s exam cancellation policy.
How to cancel an International GCSE or International AS & A Levels registration
To cancel exam entries before the deadline, you must submit a written request to the British Council. Please note that entries are only processed once payment is confirmed; if you have not yet paid, your entry will simply lapse. However, once payment is made, the standard 25% administrative deduction applies.
British Council’s refund application form
Withdrawing from international exams after the registration deadline
The British Council withdrawal process in Pakistan only permits refunds under specific “serious causes” if you decide to withdraw from international qualifications after the deadline and before the exam date.
Valid reasons for a refund (serious cause)
You may be eligible for a refund if you cancel your International GCSE, International O Levels or International AS & A Levels exam after the deadline only if you have been affected by one of the following:
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Serious illness: Hospital admission or serious injury (this does not include mild colds or headaches).
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Loss or bereavement: The death of an immediate family member.
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Hardship or trauma: Being a victim of a crime or a traffic accident.
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Military service
Please note that exceptional withdrawals approved after the deadline will typically incur an administrative deduction of 25% of the total fee.
Exam withdrawal during the late entry period
If you provide written notice of your intention to withdraw from the exam during the late entry period, you will not normally receive a refund. The only exception is that a refund may be issued on medical grounds, but this is entirely at the exam awarding body's discretion.
British Council’s refund application form
Awarding body withdrawal and refund specifics
Although the British Council manages administrative procedures centrally in Pakistan, refund and withdrawal outcomes are determined by the specific regulations, deadlines, and modular structures of each individual exam awarding body.
Cambridge International Education withdrawal and refund specifics
To withdraw from a Cambridge IGCSE, International O Levels or International AS & A Levels exam, candidates must adhere to the Cambridge International Education withdrawal deadline in Pakistan. Because Cambridge syllabuses are linear, a withdrawal usually applies to the entire subject entry rather than individual components.
Withdrawal & refund process for the Cambridge May/June 2026 examination series
- Process: Complete the official entry withdrawal template and email it to info@britishcouncil.org.pk.
- Exceptional cases: Withdrawals approved after the deadline (e.g., medical grounds) will incur an administrative deduction of 25% of the total fee.
- Requirements: You must return your original Statement of Entry if a withdrawal is approved.
- First-time entry deadline: The final deadline to email the entry withdrawal template for first-time entries is 10 February 2026.
Please note that a deduction of 1500 per subject is applied for withdrawals submitted before the deadline.
For more information, visit the Cambridge International Education website or contact the awarding body directly.
Pearson Edexcel withdrawal and refunds
Pearson Edexcel’s modular structure allows for relative flexibility. Candidates can often withdraw from specific units rather than the entire qualification.
The Pearson Edexcel exam fee consists of the British Council local fee and the Pearson Edexcel fee.
- Medical exceptions: In cases of medical grounds after the deadline, if Pearson approves the awarding body fee refund, the British Council will refund the local fees without deducting an administrative charge.
- Timeline: awarding body fee refunds are generally not issued until after the end of the examination session.
For more information, visit the Pearson Edexcel website or contact the awarding body directly.
OxfordAQA withdrawal and refunds
Similar to other modular awarding bodies, OxfordAQA allows for unit-based withdrawals. Given their specific January and May/June exam cycles, it is vital to submit your evidence of "serious cause" immediately to allow the OxfordAQA to exercise its discretion regarding your refund. For more information, visit the OxfordAQA website or contact the awarding body directly.
Important rules regarding International exams withdrawals
Beyond awarding body-specific policies, the following regulations outline the British Council’s stance on exam attendance and the necessity of upfront payments for a valid registration.
No-shows and unauthorized absences
When a candidate doesn’t show up on his or her exam date without a valid reason supported by acceptable proof (such as sudden sickness or an accident), no refund will be issued if the fee has already been paid. Furthermore, the awarding body will not waive any fees that are still outstanding.
Registration on credit
As stated in our core policy, the British Council does not allow exam entries on credit. Registration is only finalised once the full fee is received; therefore, the refund policy only applies to successfully paid and confirmed entries.
How to apply for a refund with the British Council for your international exams
The refund process in Pakistan for claiming your fees is handled centrally by the British Council to ensure fairness and transparency.
Candidates who wish to apply for a refund are required to complete the British Council’s refund application form. After submission, a member of our processing team will be in contact shortly to discuss the status of your request and any further documentation required.
British Council’s refund application form