Guide contents
Booking and test day
  1. Test format
  2. Test fee
  3. Test ID
  4. Test validity
  5. Lost reference
Start learning
  1. First steps
  2. Settlement and citizenship
  3. Values and principles
  4. What is the UK?
History
  1. History overview
  2. Early Britain
  3. The Middle Ages
  4. Tudors and Stuarts
  5. A global power
  6. The 20th century
  7. Britain since 1945
Society
  1. Modern society
  2. The UK today
  3. Cities and currency
  4. Religion
  5. Customs
  6. Sport and culture
  7. Leisure
  8. Culture facts
Government and law
  1. Government overview
  2. Democracy
  3. Constitution
  4. Government
  5. International institutions
  6. Law and courts
  7. Rights and tax
  8. Community role

Study guide

The UK and international institutions

In short

The test may ask which organisation does which job: cooperation, human rights, peace or defence.

Test atoms

Learn these as institution → role facts.

Atom Watch out for
The Commonwealth is an association of countries Do not confuse it with the European Union.
The United Nations works on international peace and security UN Security Council is a common recognition phrase.
NATO is a defence alliance NATO is defence, not a court.
The Council of Europe is separate from the European Union Do not treat all European institutions as the same.

Spot the correct statement

The real test often asks you to recognise a correct sentence, not write an answer from memory. You should be able to spot statements like these:

  • NATO is a defence alliance.
  • The Commonwealth is an association of countries.
  • The Council of Europe is separate from the European Union.

Main role map

Organisation Main purpose
Commonwealth Voluntary cooperation between member countries
Council of Europe Human rights
United Nations Peace and security
NATO Defence alliance

What to remember

  • The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of countries that cooperate around democracy and development.
  • The King is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth.
  • The Commonwealth has 56 member states and can suspend members.
  • The Council of Europe protects and promotes human rights and has 46 member countries.
  • The European Convention on Human Rights is linked with the Council of Europe.
  • The United Nations was formed after the Second World War to prevent war and support peace and security.
  • The UK is one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
  • NATO is an alliance of European and North American countries that agree to help each other if attacked.

Do not mix these up

  • The King is ceremonial head of the Commonwealth.
  • The European Convention on Human Rights is linked to the Council of Europe.
  • The UK is a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
  • NATO means members agree to help each other if attacked.

Key words

Commonwealth, Council of Europe, European Convention on Human Rights, United Nations, UN Security Council, NATO.

Practise this topic in government and law practice.

Quick check

Try from memory before opening the answer.

Which organisation is linked to human rights in Europe?

The Council of Europe.

Which organisation is a defence alliance?

NATO.

What is the King’s role in the Commonwealth?

The King is the head of the Commonwealth.