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 2025 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.
University of Exeter Information
Established in 1955, University of Exeter is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Exeter (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), South West England. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Privy Council, University of Exeter is a large (uniRank enrollment range: 20,000-24,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. University of Exeter offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 64 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic record and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
Eligibility Criteria
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 2nd class honours or higher) or a relevant postgraduate degree.
- You must first submit a Postgraduate application to the University of Exeter for the MEd TESOL programme to receive an Exeter student number. This number will be sent directly to you on receipt of your Exeter application. Only after that will you be able to submit your application for a Hornby Scholarship as this number must be included in your application.
Offered Benefits
- This comprehensive scholarship includes full tuition fees, a generous stipend of at least £15,500 for accommodation and living expenses.
- The scholarship covers a round-trip journey: one to the UK at the start of the course and one back to the home country at the course’s end.
It’s important to note that this scholarship is specifically for the University of Exeter’s MEd TESOL programme and does not apply to PGCert or PGDip courses.
The collaboration between the Hornby Trust and the University of Exeter in offering these scholarships ensures a robust selection process.
Application Process
Go to University of Exeter on funding.exeter.ac.uk to apply
IMPORTANT: Please first complete the University of Exeter application form for admission to the MEd TESOL programme by the Apply Online section in the upper right section of this webpage and then, once you have obtained an Exeter student number, complete the Hornby Scholarship application form ?here.
Please remember that you will need your Exeter student number to submit your scholarship application.
When completing the Hornby Scholarship application, you will be asked to upload a covering letter of no more than 1,000 words with your responses to the following three questions:
- Discuss one key challenge that you, and other English language teachers, typically face on a daily basis in a context that you work or have worked in. Outline how studying on the MEd TESOL at the University of Exeter would help you to respond to this challenge. (max. 400 words)
- Describe one occasion when you supported the classroom practice or wider professional development of one or more English language teachers in your context. (max. 400 words)
- Explain how your knowledge, skills, and experience make you a suitable candidate for the Hornby Scholarship. (max. 200 words)
Established in 1955, University of Exeter is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Exeter (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), South West England. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Privy Council, University of Exeter is a large (uniRank enrollment range: 20,000-24,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. University of Exeter offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 64 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic record and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.