A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship

The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust prioritises capacity building for English language teaching in low- and middle-income countries. It awards Master’s degree scholarships to teachers and related professionals with relevant experience and evidenced potential to impact and enhance the field of English language teaching and learning in their home country.

Up to ten (10) fully funded scholarships are available to students who meet the University of Exeter’s admission’s criteria for the MEd TESOL Programme for September 2026 entry. Scholarships will be awarded to academically talented and experienced applicants who are nationals of and work in countries as defined as Least Developed, Low Income, Lower Middle Income, or Upper Middle Income according to the OECD DAC list (listed here). 

Please note this scholarship is only available for study on the University of Exeter’s MEd TESOL programme and is not available for PGCert or PGDip programmes of study.  

The Hornby Trust is delighted to be working with the University of Exeter to deliver these scholarships and all applicants will be jointly considered by the University of Exeter and the Hornby Trust.

Please find further information about the MEd TESOL programme here.

Entry requirements

You should only apply if you satisfy the criteria below.

• You must be a resident of, and work in a country, defined as Least Developed, Low Income, Lower Middle Income, or Upper Middle Income according to the OECD DAC list (listed here).
• You must have a minimum of three years’ full time TESOL teaching or related professional experience after your first degree.
• You must already hold an undergraduate degree (with grades equivalent to UK upper 2^nd class honours or higher).
• You must not already be a holder of a doctoral degree in TESOL, applied linguistics, English, or related area.
• You must not already be a holder of a Master’s degree in TESOL, applied linguistics, English, or related area from a UK university. 

How to apply

Please complete the Hornby Scholarship application form here. There is no need to apply for the MEd TESOL Programme first. We will contact applicants shortlisted for interview with instructions to apply. 

1. First, apply for scholarship on the Hornby scholarship application form. 

2. Shortlisted candidates will receive instructions on how to apply for the MEd TESOL programme 

3. Award of a scholarship will be subject to acceptance by the University of Exeter on their MEd TESOL programme. 

Key dates 

The closing date for applications for this award is 9 February 2026.   

Applicants will be notified if they have been shortlisted to attend an interview no later than 6 March 2026. Interviews will be held between 16-25 March 2026. 

Applicants shortlisted to attend an interview will be notified of the final outcome no later than 2 April 2026. 

Terms & Conditions  

• By applying for this Scholarship, you are agreeing to your personal details and related data being shared with representatives from the University of Exeter, the Hornby Trust and Final Selection Panel members. 
• All scholarship awards are conditional on prior application to the University of Exeter for the MEd TESOL programme 
• Hornby Scholarships are not awarded in conjunction with other scholarships. In the event of your obtaining any further scholarship awards, the Hornby Scholarship will only be awarded if it is greater than any other such awards. 
• We reserve the right not to award Hornby Scholarships if suitable candidates are not found. 
• If you defer your offer from the University of Exeter, or change your fee status, your Hornby Scholarship offer could be invalidated and withdrawn. In the event that you withdraw or interrupt your studies post enrolment in the University of Exeter, the University’s Finance regulations at that date will apply as regards any repayment or other requirements. 

Summary