The British Vacuum Council (BVC) is a national organisation that promotes excellence in vacuum science and connects UK and Ireland vacuum science and related fields with the International Union for Vacuum Science, its Techniques and Application (IUVSTA).

The BVC aims to promote understanding and teaching of vacuum science, technology and its applications and increase the visibility and recognition of the field in the UK, Ireland and internationally. The BVC pursues these goals by providing recognition for outstanding accomplishments in vacuum science in the UK and Ireland via prestigious prizes, coordinates and promotes vacuum science related events and provides a communication channel and information resource for engagement scientists in the UK and Ireland with IUVSTA.

The British Vacuum Council (BVC) is the national contact point, representing the UK and Ireland, for coordination of scientific meetings and other activities organised by the International Union for Vacuum Science, its Techniques and Application (IUVSTA). 

Specific schemes include IUVSTA Workshops, IUVSTA Schools, Highlight Seminars, as well as Technical Courses. 

Details about the schemes and application procedure are available through the IUVSTA Website

 The IUVSTA divisional representatives of the BVC are in the ‘BVC Membership’ section above


The British Vacuum Council is a registered charity, Charity Number 292999.