Overview
The A.S.Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship supports capacity building in English language teaching in low- and middle-income countries. It provides fully funded Master’s degree awards to qualified teachers. The awards are also available to related professionals. These scholarships are intended for applicants who have relevant professional experience. They should have clear potential to contribute significantly to English language education in their home countries. (University of Exeter)
There are up to 10 scholarships available. They are for entry to the Master of Education (MEd) in TESOL programme at the University of Exeter. This is for September 2026. Only applicants who meet the University’s admission requirements for this specific programme will be considered. Applicants from countries categorised as Least Developed, Low Income, Lower Middle Income, or Upper Middle Income are eligible. These categories are defined by the OECD DAC list. (University of Exeter)
This award is offered exclusively for the MEd TESOL degree. It is not open to applicants for PGCert or PGDip programmes. The Hornby Trust and the University of Exeter jointly evaluate and select candidates. (University of Exeter)
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should ensure they meet all of the following conditions before applying: (University of Exeter)
- Must be a resident of a country designated as Least Developed or Low Income. The country must be classified as Lower Middle Income or Upper Middle Income by the OECD DAC. You must also be currently working in one of these countries. (University of Exeter)
- Must have at least three years of full-time TESOL teaching experience or relevant professional experience after completing their first degree. (University of Exeter)
- Must hold an undergraduate degree with grades equivalent to a UK upper second-class honours or higher. (University of Exeter)
- Must not already hold a doctoral degree in TESOL, applied linguistics, English, or a related field. (University of Exeter)
- Must not already hold a Master’s degree in TESOL, applied linguistics, English, or related fields from a UK university. (University of Exeter)
Application Process
- Complete and submit the Hornby Scholarship application form provided by the University. (University of Exeter)
- There is no requirement to apply separately for the MEd TESOL programme at the initial stage. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted with instructions on how to apply to the programme itself. (University of Exeter)
- Final awards are confirmed only after acceptance onto the University of Exeter’s MEd TESOL programme. (University of Exeter)
Key Dates and Award Details
Application deadline: 9 February 2026 (University of Exeter)
- Number of awards: Up to 10 (University of Exeter)
- Funding includes:
- Full University tuition fees for the duration of the MEd TESOL programme
- Monthly stipend to contribute to accommodation and living expenses
- Grants for additional defined costs
- UK visa and National Health Service (NHS) fees
- Return international travel costs (University of Exeter)
- Duration: One academic year (University of Exeter)
Additional Terms
- By submitting an application, candidates agree to share relevant personal data with the University of Exeter, the Hornby Trust, and the scholarship selection panel. (University of Exeter)
- The scholarship cannot be combined with other awards; if multiple awards are offered, only the highest value will be granted. (University of Exeter)
- Offers may be withdrawn if a candidate defers admission, changes fee status, or withdraws from the programme after enrolment. (University of Exeter)
