Are you a refugee in the UK and teaching English to other refugees? Do you want to pursue you’re your education and upgrade your knowledge of English within a master degree on a fully funded scholarship?

If yes, apply to the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust’s Scholarship for Teachers of English to Refugees to pursue a full-time Master of Education (MEd) in TESOL at the University of Exeter

The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust is offering a scholarship to support the teaching of English to refugees.

The Trust welcomes applications from experienced teachers who are themselves refugees, or have previously held refugee status, and are currently teaching English to refugees or asylum seekers in the UK.

The successful applicant will join a group of Hornby scholars from a range of different countries to study on a one-year master’s in teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at the University of Exeter in the academic year 2026/27.

The selected candidate will need to be based in Exeter for the duration of the MEd TESOL programme.

About The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust

The Trust was set up by A.S. Hornby in 1961 to support English language teaching worldwide. A.S. Hornby had a distinguished career in English language teaching and developed the Oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary, which is still published in its 10th edition by Oxford University Press. The Trust is a registered charity in the UK. The Trust has supported over 300 scholars in the last 20 years.

• Opportunity: A.S. Hornby Refugee Scholarship 2026/2027
• Host University: University of Exeter, UK
• Degree Level: Master of Education (MEd) in TESOL
• Number of Awards: 1 Scholarship available
• Format: Full-time, In-person
• Target Audience: Experienced English teachers with refugee backgrounds in the UK
• Application Deadline: March 16, 2026

The Scholarship benefits:

The comprehensive scholarship package includes:

• Full coverage of university tuition fees.
• A monthly stipend to assist with living expenses.
• Financial support for required English language proficiency tests (if applicable).
• Note: The recipient is required to reside in Exeter for the entire duration of the master’s program.

Who can apply?

The Hornby Scholarship for Teachers of English to Refugees is intended to support experienced English language teachers who:

• are legally resident in the UK
• hold (or have previously held) refugee status
• have at least three years’ full-time ELT (English Language Teaching) experience
• have a full university first degree
• are teaching English to refugees or asylum seekers

The successful candidate will have the potential to make a significant future contribution to English language teaching in the context of language support for refugees.

The University of Exeter may also require a valid language test

How to apply?

The selection is conducted through a strict two-stage process.

Stage 1: Dual Application Submission.

Applicants must complete two separate applications simultaneously before the deadline:

1. University Admission: Submit an online application for the full-time MEd in TESOL program directly through the University of Exeter’s portal (Ensure you select the September 2026 intake).
2. Scholarship Application: Download and complete the Hornby Trust Refugee Scholarship application form, then submit it via email to: refugeescholarship@hornby-trust.org.uk

Stage 2: The Interview

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview with a joint panel representing both the Hornby Trust and the University of Exeter.

• Interviews are provisionally scheduled for the week commencing April 13, 2026.
• Crucial Requirement: You will not be considered for an interview unless your University of Exeter online application has already been submitted.
• The successful candidate will begin their studies in September 2026.

Required Application Details

Before starting the Hornby Trust application form, ensure you have the following information prepared:

• Personal & Contact Details: Full name, nationality, date of birth, and preferred correspondence address.
• English Language Proficiency: Non-native English speakers must meet the university’s requirement (equivalent to an IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any section). You must provide details of any accepted test results you already hold.
• Academic Background: A comprehensive list of all post-secondary qualifications, including institutions, grades achieved, and explicitly noting any programs taught entirely in English.
• Professional Experience: A reverse-chronological record of your employment since completing higher education, including your current employer’s details (employers will not be contacted without your permission).
• Referees: Contact information and professional titles for two individuals who can provide references if you are shortlisted.

The Supporting Statements (Crucial Section):

This is the most critical part of your evaluation. You must provide concise, impactful responses demonstrating your academic readiness and your potential to contribute to refugee education. You will be asked to address:

1. Your current teaching role and responsibilities.
2. The primary challenges associated with teaching English to refugees or asylum seekers.
3. Your motivations for applying and the anticipated benefits for both you and your teaching community.
4. Any past experience you have in delivering professional development or training to other teachers.
5. Your vision for how you will apply the skills gained from this MEd to better support English language learning in your community post-graduation.

 Application Deadline: March 16, 2026

Application form for scholarship |  Apply Now

Contact for Queries: refugeescholarship@hornby-trust.org.uk