Life in the United Kingdom

Life in the United Kingdom

Around 15,000 people per month take the Life in the UK test in order to gain British citizenship or permanent residence in the UK. Test applicants need to show their knowledge of the English language and an understanding of life in the United Kingdom. TSO produces the only range of official Life in the UK publications for the Home Office, in a variety of easy-to-use formats, providing applicants with the information they need to help them pass the test.

The challenge

On becoming the publisher for official Life in the UK publications in 2005, in addition to providing a streamlined publishing solution, the priority was to ensure that all products were available in retail outlets and that we had the flexibility to meet the anticipated high demand in a range of formats. Since this time, TSO has continually sought to ensure that the official publications are the market leaders and to provide candidates with alternative formats that suit their needs.

The solution

TSO developed a portfolio of Life in the UK learning materials in a variety of formats, including DRM-protected PDF, CD and large print. In 2010 we launched the first official Life in the UK test iPhone app. With access to hundreds of practice questions, the iPhone app provides candidates with a simple and convenient way to prepare thoroughly for their test – at any time and anywhere.

There has been excellent feedback from customers who have used the app, ensuring it remains highly visible within the iTunes app store, as well as generating conversation through TSO’s social media channels. A video trailer, hosted on the Home Office YouTube channel, encourages Life in the UK test candidates to use the app as part of their test preparation.

Service mix

• Sales and customer service
• Marketing
• Editorial
• Multi-format publication
• Bibliographics
• eCommerce
• Online cataloguing and ordering
• Warehousing and distribution
• Digital publishing and app development

Results

• The iPhone app has consistently featured in the top 20 of the best selling apps in the iTunes UK Education chart
• The official publications are market leaders
• Increase in the test pass rate
• Ranked 8th in ‘bestselling political books of all-time’ (April 2010, The Bookseller)