Booking and test day
History
Society
Core values
Values and principles of the UK
British values are the basic ideas people are expected to respect when they live in the UK.
From this page onwards, the guide covers facts that can appear in the test.
The main values are democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, tolerance and participation in community life.
Test atoms
Learn these as compact test facts. Then practise recognising the same fact in different wording.
| Atom | Watch out for |
|---|---|
| Tolerance means respecting people with different beliefs, backgrounds or opinions | Tolerance is active respect for difference, not everyone having the same beliefs. |
| The rule of law means everyone must follow the law | Learn the one test link before the full story. |
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:
- Tolerance means respecting people with different beliefs, backgrounds or opinions.
- The rule of law means everyone must follow the law.
These values matter for settlement, citizenship and becoming a permanent resident. They sit alongside the UK’s laws and traditions.
For the test, learn the simple meaning of each value. You do not need a long definition.
Extremism and intolerance go against these values.
The five values
| Value | Simple meaning | Test example |
|---|---|---|
| Democracy | People can have a say in how the country is run. | People vote for MPs in a general election. |
| Rule of law | Everyone must follow the law. | The public, police and government must obey the law. |
| Individual liberty | People can make their own choices. | People can choose their religion, opinions and lifestyle. |
| Tolerance | People should respect others who are different from them. | People can have different beliefs and still be treated fairly. |
| Participation | People should take part in society. | People can vote, volunteer or help their local community. |
What this means
These values are connected.
For example, democracy gives people a voice, but rule of law means that no one can ignore the law just because they disagree. Individual liberty gives people freedom, but tolerance means respecting other people’s freedoms too.
The test usually checks whether you can match a simple idea to the correct value.
Rights and responsibilities
The test may ask about freedoms and duties together. A right is something people are allowed to do or receive. A responsibility is something people are expected to do.
| Rights and freedoms | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| freedom of belief and religion | obey the law |
| freedom of speech | respect other people |
| the right to a fair trial | treat others fairly |
| protection from unfair discrimination | look after your family |
| the right to take part in elections | protect the local area and environment |
Residents are expected to obey the law, respect other people, treat others fairly, look after family and protect the local area and environment.
How to recognise the values
Look for the main idea in the question.
| If the question says... | Think of... |
|---|---|
| voting, MPs, elections, representatives | democracy |
| everyone follows the law | rule of law |
| personal choice, belief, opinion, lifestyle | individual liberty |
| different beliefs, cultures or backgrounds | tolerance |
| volunteering, helping locally, taking part | participation |
Citizenship pledge
New citizens make a pledge. This means they promise to respect the UK’s rights, freedoms, democratic values and laws.
The pledge is not a promise to join a political party, live in London or work for Parliament.
These values connect to democracy and community responsibilities. To practise them, use government and law practice.
Common questions
What are the values and principles of the UK?
The main values are democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, tolerance and participation in community life.
What British values are tested?
The test can ask about democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, tolerance and participation in community life.
What does rule of law mean?
It means everyone must follow the law, including the government.
What does individual liberty mean?
It means people can make personal choices, as long as they respect the law and the rights of others.
What does tolerance mean?
It means respecting people with different beliefs, cultures and opinions.
Quick check
Try from memory before opening the answer.
Which value is linked to voting and elections?
Democracy.
Which value means everyone must obey the law?
Rule of law.
Which value is linked to respecting different beliefs?
Tolerance.