The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship 2027/28 offers an outstanding opportunity for experienced English language teachers and TESOL professionals from low- and middle-income countries to pursue a fully funded Master of Education (MEd) in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom.
Jointly delivered by the Hornby Educational Trust and the University of Exeter, this prestigious scholarship is designed to strengthen the quality of English language teaching worldwide by investing in educators who have demonstrated excellence in the classroom and the potential to make a lasting impact on English language education in their home countries.
For the 2027/28 academic year, up to 10 fully funded scholarships will be awarded to qualified candidates. The scholarship covers tuition fees, monthly living expenses, and international travel, enabling recipients to focus entirely on their academic and professional development.
If you are an English language teacher with significant professional experience and a passion for improving education in your country, this scholarship could provide the ideal pathway to advance your career while contributing to educational development at home.
About the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship
The Hornby Educational Trust has long been committed to improving the quality of English language education around the world. Its scholarship programme focuses on building educational capacity by supporting experienced English language professionals from countries where access to advanced teacher education opportunities may be limited.
Rather than simply funding postgraduate study, the scholarship seeks candidates who are capable of becoming educational leaders, teacher trainers, curriculum developers, policy contributors, and advocates for excellence in English language teaching.
Successful scholars are expected to use the knowledge and skills gained during their studies to strengthen English language teaching and learning upon returning to their home countries.
Study Programme
The scholarship supports study on the following programme:
- Master of Education (MEd) in TESOL
- University: University of Exeter
- Country: United Kingdom
- Programme Duration: One year
- Entry: September 2027
Important Note:
The scholarship is only available for the MEd TESOL programme at the University of Exeter.
It is not available for:
- Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)
- Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)
- Any other postgraduate programme
Scholarship Benefits
Recipients of the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship receive a comprehensive financial package that removes the major financial barriers associated with studying abroad.
The scholarship includes:
Full Tuition Fees
The scholarship covers the entire tuition fee for the MEd TESOL programme.
Monthly Living Stipend
Recipients receive a monthly allowance to help cover:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Local transportation
- Daily living expenses
Return International Airfare
The scholarship also pays for:
- International return flights between the recipient’s home country and the United Kingdom.
One-Year Funding
The award supports students throughout the entire duration of the one-year Master’s programme.
Purpose of the Scholarship
The scholarship programme aims to strengthen English language teaching in developing countries by investing in experienced educators who have the ability to create long-term educational impact.
The programme seeks individuals who will:
- Improve English language education in their countries
- Train future English teachers
- Strengthen curriculum development
- Promote innovative teaching methods
- Support educational reforms
- Enhance language learning outcomes
- Build institutional teaching capacity
Rather than supporting personal academic advancement alone, the scholarship focuses on creating broader educational benefits for local communities and national education systems.
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is intended for experienced English language teachers and professionals working in countries classified as developing economies.
Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements before submitting an application.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship, applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
1. Country of Residence and Employment
Applicants must:
- Live in a country classified as:
- Least Developed Country (LDC)
- Low-Income Country
- Lower Middle-Income Country
- Upper Middle-Income Country
The classification follows the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) List.
Applicants must both:
- Reside in an eligible country
- Be working in that same eligible country
2. Professional Experience
Applicants must have:
- A minimum of three years of full-time TESOL teaching experience or
- Three years of related professional experience after completing their first university degree.
Relevant professional experience may include work connected to:
- English language education
- Teacher education
- Language programme management
- Educational development
- Curriculum support
3. Academic Qualifications
Applicants must possess:
- An undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1) degree or higher
OR
- A relevant postgraduate qualification.
Strong academic performance is expected.
4. Restrictions on Previous Degrees
Applicants are not eligible if they already hold:
A doctoral degree in:
- TESOL
- Applied Linguistics
- English
- Related disciplines
Applicants are also not eligible if they already possess:
- A UK Master’s degree in TESOL
- A UK Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics
- A UK Master’s degree in English
- Another closely related field from a UK university.
Selection Criteria
Scholarships will be awarded to candidates who demonstrate:
- Strong academic ability
- Extensive teaching experience
- Leadership potential
- Commitment to improving English language education
- Capacity to influence educational practice in their home country
- Clear potential to strengthen TESOL after graduation
Applications are jointly reviewed by:
- University of Exeter
- Hornby Educational Trust
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How to Apply
Applicants should follow the official scholarship application process.
Step 1
Complete the official Hornby Scholarship Application Form.
Step 2
Do not apply separately to the MEd TESOL programme before scholarship selection.
Shortlisted applicants will later receive instructions explaining how to submit their formal application to the University of Exeter.
Application Timeline
Applicants should carefully note the following important dates.
Applications Close
22 November 2026
Shortlisting Notification
Applicants selected for interviews will be informed no later than:
5 January 2027
Interview Period
Interviews will take place between:
15 February 2027 – 24 February 2027
Final Results
Successful applicants will be notified no later than:
4 March 2027
Programme Start
September 2027
Terms and Conditions
Applicants should carefully review the scholarship conditions.
Important conditions include:
- Personal information may be shared with the University of Exeter, the Hornby Educational Trust, and scholarship selection panel members.
- Scholarship awards are conditional upon subsequent admission to the University of Exeter’s MEd TESOL programme.
- The scholarship cannot normally be combined with another scholarship award.
- If another scholarship is obtained, the Hornby Scholarship will only be awarded if it offers greater financial value.
- The Trust reserves the right not to award scholarships if suitable applicants are not identified.
- Deferring admission or changing tuition fee status may result in withdrawal of the scholarship.
- Students who withdraw or interrupt their studies may be subject to the University’s financial regulations.
Why Apply for the Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship?
The scholarship offers much more than financial support.
Successful recipients benefit from:
- Full funding for postgraduate study
- International academic experience
- Professional development at a leading UK university
- Enhanced teaching expertise
- Leadership development
- Opportunities to strengthen educational systems in their home countries
- Membership in an international community of English language education professionals
- Career advancement in education and teacher training
Conclusion
The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship 2027/28 is one of the leading international scholarship opportunities for experienced English language teachers from developing countries who aspire to advance their careers while making a lasting contribution to education in their home nations.
By covering full tuition fees, living expenses, and international travel, the scholarship enables recipients to pursue the prestigious MEd TESOL programme at the University of Exeter without financial burden. Beyond earning a world-class qualification, scholars gain advanced teaching knowledge, leadership skills, and the capacity to strengthen English language education within their communities.
If you are an experienced TESOL professional committed to educational excellence and capacity building, this scholarship presents an exceptional opportunity to develop your expertise and become a catalyst for positive change. Interested applicants should prepare their documentation carefully and submit their applications before the 22 November 2026 deadline.
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