The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust is offering up to ten fully funded scholarships for a Master’s degree in TESOL at a UK university. These prestigious scholarships support international ELT professionals from middle- and low-income countries, covering all costs through a competitive selection process. The current program is delivered in partnership with the University of Exeter.

The primary goal of the Hornby Scholarships is to empower scholars to enhance English language teaching in their home countries upon completing their Master’s degrees. To support this mission, the Trust provides access to an alum network, potential funding for local capacity-building initiatives, and resources for organizing workshops and seminars.

Scholars are chosen based on their potential to drive positive change in English language education within their communities. This scholarship offers a unique opportunity for experienced ELT professionals to gain advanced knowledge, contribute to the field, and build strong professional networks.

Refugee Scholarship:

The Trust offers an additional scholarship for experienced English teachers who are refugees or asylum seekers in the UK. The selected candidate will study a one-year, full-time Master’s in TESOL at the University of Exeter alongside Hornby scholars. Applications open separately in February.

Key Details and Dates

• Application Deadline: 9 Feb 2026
• Interview Dates: April – May, 2026
• MA TESOL Course Start: September 2026
• Scholars Attend the IATEFL Conference: April 2026
• Dissertation Writing Period: May–September 2026
• Program Completion and Return Home: September 2026
• Funding Type: Fully funded scholarship
• Organizer: A.S. Hornby Educational Trust
• Host Institution: University of Exeter
• Eligible Countries: Middle- and low-income countries as per the DAC List
• Eligible Gender: Male/Female
• Target Group: Experienced ELT professionals
• Field: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
• Study Level: Master’s degree
• Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree
• Number of Opportunities: Ten scholarships
• Duration: One-year full-time program
• Program Language: English
• Host Country: United Kingdom

Benefits and Financial Aids

The Hornby Scholarship is a comprehensive funding program that covers:

• Full tuition fees for the MA TESOL program at the University of Exeter
• A monthly stipend to support accommodation and living expenses
• Travel and visa costs
• A warm clothing allowance
• A dissertation allowance
• Access to the Hornby alum network for Professional Development
• Potential funding for in-country ELT initiatives post-graduation

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be an experienced English language teaching professional with several years of experience in ELT
• Be a citizen of a low- or middle-income country (as per the DAC List)
• Meet the entry requirements for the University of Exeter’s MA TESOL program
• Demonstrate a commitment to improving ELT in their home country

Entry requirements for the University

In addition to the scholarship criteria above, applicants must also meet the following admission requirements:

• A UK 2:2 Honours degree or Its equivalent for postgraduate study
• A 2:1 or equivalent is mandatory for most funding opportunities.
• Relevant personal, professional, or educational experience may be considered.
• The University may base offers on the most recent academic qualification.
• Programme-specific requirements are available on individual course pages.
• Recognizes a wide range of international qualifications and grading systems
• Applicants can verify eligibility via the Entry Requirements page.
• Further guidance is available through ECCTIS or the Admissions Office.

For the Hornby Scholarship for Teachers of English to Refugees, additional criteria include:

• Being legally resident in the UK
• Holding (or having previously held) refugee status
• Having at least three years of full-time ELT experience
• Having a full university first degree
• Currently teaching the English language to refugees or asylum seekers

Required Documents

All applicants must submit the application form along with a Cover Letter with max. 1,000 words responding to the following:

• Key Challenge (400 words): Identify a major challenge English language teachers face and explain how the MEd TESOL program will help address it.
• Professional Development (400 words): Describe an instance where you supported other teachers’ classroom practice or professional growth.
• Your Suitability (200 words): Explain how your skills and experience make you a strong candidate for the scholarship.

Guidance for Cover Letter:

• Clearly define a relevant challenge affecting multiple teachers and outline how the MEd TESOL program will equip you to address it.
• Provide a detailed example of how you have supported English language teachers, focusing on areas such as:
  • Teacher training or professional Development
  • Teacher observation and performance management
  • Curriculum, material, or assessment development
  • Leading/contributing to a teachers’ association
• Structure your response using the STAR format (Situation, Target, Action, Result).
• Write how your skills and experiences align with the goals of the Hornby Scholarship and your future contributions to English language teaching.

How to Apply?

To apply for this scholarship, follow the following steps:

Step 1: Apply for admission to the MEd TESOL program at the University of Exeter via the “Apply Online” below.

Step 2: After receiving your Exeter student number, complete the Hornby Scholarship application form linked below.

Step 3: Submit your scholarship application, including a cover letter guided above.

Apply for Admission

Apply for Scholarship

Further details about the Hornby Scholarship are available on the official Hornby Educational Trust website.

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