Fully Funded A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship in the UK 2027/28

If you are an experienced English language teacher or English language teaching professional from a low- or middle-income country, the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship could provide an opportunity to study for a fully funded Master’s degree in the United Kingdom. The scholarship is designed for professionals who want to strengthen English language teaching and make a meaningful contribution to education in their home countries.

For the 2027/28 academic year, the scholarship offers up to 10 fully funded places for the University of Exeter’s MEd TESOL programme. Successful scholars can receive support for tuition fees, living and accommodation costs, and return international travel.

This guide explains what the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship is, who can apply, what the scholarship covers, the academic and professional requirements, the application process, important dates, and practical tips for preparing a competitive application. It also explains how applicants can demonstrate the leadership and professional impact that the Hornby Trust is looking for.

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What Is the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship?

The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship is a postgraduate scholarship designed to support experienced English language teaching professionals from eligible low- and middle-income countries.

The scholarship is offered through a partnership between the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust and the University of Exeter. For the 2027/28 intake, successful candidates will study the MEd TESOL, a Master’s programme focused on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

The scholarship is not simply intended to help individuals obtain another academic qualification. Its broader purpose is capacity building in English language teaching. In other words, the Trust wants scholars to gain advanced knowledge and professional skills and then use those skills to improve English language education in their home countries.

Up to 10 scholarships are available for the September 2027 intake.

The scholarship is particularly relevant to people working as:

• English language teachers
• Teacher educators
• TESOL professionals
• English language programme coordinators
• English teacher trainers
• ELT professionals involved in educational development
• Other professionals whose work is directly related to English language teaching

The scholarship is specifically for the MEd TESOL programme at the University of Exeter and is not intended for the university’s PGCert or PGDip programmes.

A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship 2027/28 at a Glance

The following table summarizes the main information applicants need to know:

The scholarship is highly competitive, so meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee selection.

Who Can Apply for the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship?

The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship has specific eligibility requirements. Applicants should carefully check these requirements before beginning their application.

1. You Must Live and Work in an Eligible Country

Applicants must be resident in and working in a country classified as Least Developed, Low Income, Lower Middle Income, or Upper Middle Income under the relevant OECD DAC classification.

This means the scholarship is primarily aimed at professionals working in developing and emerging education systems where advanced ELT expertise can have a significant impact.

Applicants should therefore demonstrate a genuine professional connection to the country from which they are applying.

2. You Need at Least Three Years of Relevant Experience

Applicants must have at least three years of full-time TESOL teaching or related professional experience after completing their first degree.

This is one of the most important differences between the Hornby scholarship and many general international scholarships.

The programme is not primarily designed for someone who has just completed university and has little professional experience. It seeks experienced professionals who can demonstrate how their work has influenced students, teachers, institutions or the wider English language teaching community.

Your experience could include classroom teaching, teacher development, ELT programme management, curriculum work, teacher training or another closely related professional role.

3. You Must Hold an Undergraduate Degree

Applicants must already hold an undergraduate degree or an equivalent qualification.

The academic standard is normally equivalent to at least a UK upper second-class honours degree or higher, or applicants may hold a relevant postgraduate qualification.

Academic performance therefore matters, but it is only one part of the selection process.

4. You Must Not Already Hold Certain Advanced Degrees

Applicants are not eligible if they already hold a doctoral degree in areas such as:

• TESOL
• Applied Linguistics
• English
• A closely related field

Applicants who already have a Master’s degree in TESOL, Applied Linguistics, English or a related subject from a UK university are also excluded.

This requirement helps ensure that the scholarship reaches professionals who genuinely need advanced postgraduate training in the field.

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What Does the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship Cover?

One of the strongest features of the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship is that it is designed as a fully funded scholarship.

For the 2027/28 programme, the award provides:

Full University Fees

Successful scholars receive funding toward the full tuition fees for the eligible MEd TESOL programme.

This removes one of the biggest financial barriers associated with studying for a Master’s degree in the UK.

Monthly Living and Accommodation Support

The scholarship also includes a monthly stipend to help meet accommodation and living costs.

This support is important because international students need to budget for accommodation, food, local transportation and other everyday expenses while studying in the UK.

Applicants should nevertheless manage their finances carefully and understand exactly what the stipend covers before travelling.

Return International Travel

The award also includes return international travel costs.

This means successful scholars receive support for travelling between their home country and the UK under the scholarship arrangements.

One Year of Study

The scholarship is designed to support a one-year programme of study.

Because the programme is intensive, prospective applicants should be prepared for a demanding academic year involving coursework, independent study and dissertation-related work.

A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship Application Process

The application process for the 2027/28 scholarship has an important feature that applicants should understand.

You do not need to submit a separate MEd TESOL application before applying for the Hornby scholarship.

Instead, eligible applicants should first complete the Hornby Scholarship application form.

Candidates who are shortlisted will then receive instructions about applying to the University of Exeter’s MEd TESOL programme.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Before completing the application, confirm that you:

• Work and reside in an eligible country.
• Have at least three years of relevant full-time experience after your first degree.
• Hold the required undergraduate or relevant postgraduate qualification.
• Have a strong professional connection to English language teaching.
• Do not hold an excluded Master’s or doctoral qualification.

Step 2: Prepare Your Professional Evidence

Do not wait until the application form opens to start gathering your information.

Prepare details about:

• Your teaching experience
• Your professional responsibilities
• Teacher-training activities
• Leadership responsibilities
• Educational projects
• Professional achievements
• Challenges in your education system
• Ways you have supported other teachers
• Your future plans after completing the Master’s degree

The strongest applications should demonstrate impact, not simply employment history.

Step 3: Complete the Hornby Application Form

Submit your application through the official scholarship application form.

Application deadline: 22 November 2026.

Applicants should avoid waiting until the final day because technical problems, missing documents or poorly prepared answers can weaken an otherwise strong application.

Step 4: Shortlisting and Interview

Shortlisted applicants are expected to be contacted by 5 January 2027.

Interviews are scheduled for 15–24 February 2027.

The interview provides an opportunity for the selection team to examine the applicant’s professional experience, motivation, future plans and potential contribution to English language teaching.

Step 5: Final Decision

Shortlisted candidates are expected to receive the final outcome by 4 March 2027.

Scholarship awards are conditional on successful admission to the University of Exeter’s MEd TESOL programme.

How to Apply for the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship

The application process can be summarized in three simple steps:

1. Check that you meet all eligibility requirements, especially the three-year professional experience requirement.
2. Complete and submit the Hornby Scholarship application form before 22 November 2026.
3. If shortlisted, follow the instructions provided for the University of Exeter MEd TESOL application and interview process.

What Makes a Strong Hornby Scholarship Application?

Meeting the eligibility requirements is only the beginning. Because there are only up to 10 awards, applicants need to present a convincing case for why they should be selected.

Demonstrate Professional Impact

Do not simply write:

“I have been teaching English for five years.”

Instead, explain what you achieved during those five years.

For example, you might discuss how you:

• Trained new English teachers.
• Developed teaching materials.
• Introduced a new classroom approach.
• Led professional development sessions.
• Mentored colleagues.
• Coordinated an English programme.
• Improved student learning outcomes.
• Supported teachers in rural or underserved communities.

Specific examples are much more persuasive than general statements.

Explain a Real Problem in Your Context

The Hornby scholarship is focused on improving English language teaching. Your application should therefore show that you understand the challenges facing English teachers in your country or professional environment.

Consider issues such as:

• Limited access to teacher development
• Large classroom sizes
• Shortage of teaching resources
• Digital access challenges
• Limited opportunities for continuing professional development
• Curriculum challenges
• Teacher preparation gaps
• Unequal access to quality English education

Then explain how advanced study could help you address the problem.

Connect Your Master’s Degree to Your Future Plans

A strong applicant should be able to answer a simple question:

What will you do with the knowledge and skills gained from the scholarship?

Your answer should go beyond personal career advancement.

For example, you could explain how you plan to:

• Train English teachers after returning home.
• Establish teacher-development programmes.
• Improve ELT curriculum and materials.
• Support English teachers through professional networks.
• Conduct research relevant to your education system.
• Develop community-based English programmes.
• Share knowledge gained through your Master’s degree.

This demonstrates the multiplier effect that the scholarship is intended to create.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants can weaken their chances by treating the application like a normal university admission form.

Avoid these mistakes:

Focusing Only on Personal Benefits

Saying that the scholarship will help you “get a better job” is unlikely to be enough.

Explain how your education will benefit teachers, learners and the wider ELT community.

Providing Generic Answers

Statements such as “I love teaching English” are not enough on their own.

Use real examples from your professional experience.

Ignoring Your Home Country

The Hornby scholarship has a strong international development and capacity-building purpose. Your application should clearly explain how your studies could contribute to English language teaching in your home country.

Waiting Until the Deadline

A high-quality application requires time for reflection and careful editing.

Start early so you can review your answers and ensure that your professional achievements are presented clearly.

Assuming Academic Results Are Everything

Academic performance matters, but the scholarship also looks for experience and evidence of future impact.

A candidate with excellent grades but limited professional contribution may not necessarily be stronger than an experienced teacher who can demonstrate substantial impact.

A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship vs. Other Master’s Scholarships

The Hornby scholarship has a particularly specialized purpose.

This makes the Hornby opportunity especially attractive to experienced English teachers who want to develop their expertise and contribute to ELT development after graduation.

Important Dates for the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship 2027/28

Applicants should keep the following dates in mind:

Dates can be important for international applicants because visa, travel and university admission processes may require additional preparation after a scholarship offer is received.

Frequently Asked Questions About the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship

Is the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship fully funded?

Yes. For the 2027/28 programme, the scholarship provides full tuition fees, a monthly stipend for accommodation and living costs, and return international travel costs for the one-year award.

How many Hornby scholarships are available?

For the 2027/28 intake, up to 10 fully funded scholarships are available.

What degree can I study with the scholarship?

The current scholarship is specifically for the MEd TESOL programme at the University of Exeter. It is not available for PGCert or PGDip programmes.

Do I need three years of teaching experience?

Yes. Applicants must have at least three years of full-time TESOL teaching or related professional experience after their first degree.

Can recent university graduates apply?

Generally, no. The scholarship is designed for experienced English language teaching professionals, and the three-year relevant professional experience requirement must be satisfied.

Do I need to apply to the University of Exeter before the Hornby scholarship?

For the initial scholarship application, no. The current process asks applicants to complete the Hornby Scholarship application first. Shortlisted candidates will then receive instructions concerning the MEd TESOL application.

When is the application deadline?

The deadline for the 2027/28 scholarship is 22 November 2026.

Is the scholarship available for undergraduate study?

No. The current Hornby scholarship is a Master’s-level opportunity for the MEd TESOL programme.

Final Thoughts on the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship

The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship is more than an opportunity to study for a Master’s degree in the UK. It is designed to develop experienced English language teaching professionals who can use advanced knowledge, research and professional networks to strengthen ELT in their home countries.

For the 2027/28 academic year, up to 10 successful applicants will receive fully funded support for the one-year MEd TESOL programme at the University of Exeter. The package includes full fees, a monthly living and accommodation stipend and return international travel costs.

However, applicants should remember that this is a highly competitive professional scholarship. The strongest candidates are likely to be those who can demonstrate substantial ELT experience, strong academic preparation, evidence of professional impact and a convincing plan for using their new expertise after graduation.

If you meet the eligibility requirements, begin preparing early. Review your professional achievements, identify the most important English teaching challenges in your context, and develop a clear explanation of how the MEd TESOL programme will help you create lasting impact.

Ready to apply? Submit your application before 22 November 2026 through the official scholarship application form:

Apply for the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship