Updates
The information provided in the below handbook was written and based on the 2013 version. Some facts might be out-of-date.
* Read an up-to-date, 2024 version of the study guide on Britizen. It’s an improved version with better readability, built-in search and up-to-date facts.
* All tests in the practice section are valid and up-to-date.
The new, 2024 version fixes the inaccuracies for the study guide. All tests remain valid and contain the most up-to-date information.
What is the UK?
The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The rest of Ireland is an independent country.
The official name of the country is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. ‘Great Britain’ refers only to England, Scotland and Wales, not to Northern Ireland. The words ‘Britain’, Isles’ or ‘British’, however, are used in this book to refer to everyone in the UK.
There are also several islands which are closely linked with the UK but are not part of it: the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. These have their own governments and are called ‘Crown dependencies’. There are also several British overseas territories in other parts of the world, such as St Helena and the Falkland Islands. They are also linked to the UK but are not a part of it.
The UK is governed by the parliament sitting in Westminster. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also have parliaments or assemblies of their own, with devolved powers in defined areas.
Check that you understand:
- The different countries that make up the UK