A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship at University of Exeter | Fully Funded
The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship at University of Exeter funds a full Master’s degree in TESOL for experienced English language teachers from low- and middle-income countries — not a general teaching scholarship, but one built specifically around genuine classroom experience and real potential for impact back home. The current cycle, for September 2027 entry, closes 22 November 2026, confirmed directly on the University of Exeter’s own School of Education page.
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About the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship at University of Exeter
The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust has run its prestigious Hornby Scholarships for 60 years, funding international ELT professionals from middle- and low-income countries to complete a master’s degree in TESOL at a UK university. In partnership with the University of Exeter, up to ten fully funded scholarships are awarded each year specifically for the MEd TESOL programme — the scholarship doesn’t extend to the PGCert or PGDip TESOL pathways.
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The Trust’s real goal isn’t simply funding a degree — it’s enabling scholars to return home and make a genuine, measurable difference in strengthening English language teaching in their own communities. Selection weighs that impact potential directly, not just academic strength alone. Separately, the Trust also offers a Scholarship for Teachers of English to Refugees, though this specific track was listed as closed at the time of this update — worth checking directly if you work specifically in that space.
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A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship at University of Exeter Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship at University of Exeter |
| Host Country ⇒ | United Kingdom |
| Host Institution ⇒ | University of Exeter, School of Education |
| Study Level ⇒ | Postgraduate | Masters |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | Countries classified as Least Developed, Low Income, Lower Middle Income, or Upper Middle Income on the OECD DAC list |
| Reward ⇒ | Full tuition, living stipend of at least £15,500, visa costs, NHS fees, return flights |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | 22 November 2026, for September 2027 entry |
Eligibility Requirements
- Live and work in a country classified as Least Developed, Low Income, Lower Middle Income, or Upper Middle Income on the OECD DAC list
- Have at least three years of full-time TESOL teaching or related professional experience after your first degree
- Already hold an undergraduate degree with grades equivalent to a UK Upper Second Class Honours or higher, or a relevant postgraduate degree
- Not already hold a doctoral degree in TESOL, applied linguistics, English, or a related field
- Not already hold a Master’s degree in TESOL, applied linguistics, English, or a related field from a UK university specifically
What the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship at University of Exeter Covers
- Full University of Exeter tuition fees for the MEd TESOL programme
- A living stipend totalling at least £15,500, covering accommodation and daily living costs in Exeter
- UK visa fees
- NHS (National Health Service) surcharge fees
- Return international flights to and from the UK
- A full year of funded study
The Actual Application Essay Questions
This is worth knowing well before you sit down to write, since these are the real prompts you’ll need to respond to within a covering letter of no more than 1,000 words:
- Discuss one key challenge you and other English language teachers typically face in your working context, and outline how studying the MEd TESOL at Exeter would help you respond to it (maximum 400 words)
- Describe one occasion when you supported the classroom practice or wider professional development of another English language teacher in your context (maximum 400 words)
- Explain how your knowledge, skills, and experience make you a genuinely suitable candidate for the Hornby Scholarship specifically
Required Documents
- Your bachelor’s degree certificate and transcript
- Proof of employment showing your TESOL or related teaching experience
- A detailed CV
- A valid international passport
- Reference letters, if requested at a later stage
- Any additional supporting documents demonstrating your genuine professional impact or leadership
The University of Exeter may request further documents if you’re shortlisted.
How to Apply
- Complete the official Hornby Scholarship application form directly — you do not need to apply to the University of Exeter’s MEd TESOL programme first
- Prepare your covering letter carefully, addressing all three required questions within the 1,000-word limit
- Submit your complete application before 22 November 2026
- If shortlisted, you’ll be notified no later than 5 January 2027 and invited to interview, along with instructions on when and how to submit your formal University of Exeter application
- A scholarship offer only becomes final once you’ve been formally accepted onto the MEd TESOL programme itself
Our guide on how to write a personal statement for scholarship applies directly to structuring your Hornby covering letter, especially the third question, since it’s asking you to make a genuine, specific case for your own suitability rather than a generic motivation statement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the current deadline for the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship at University of Exeter?
22 November 2026, for the MEd TESOL programme starting September 2027.
Do I need to apply to the University of Exeter’s MEd TESOL programme before applying for this scholarship?
No. You complete the Hornby Scholarship application first. Only shortlisted candidates receive instructions on when and how to apply formally to the university’s MEd TESOL programme.
How much is the current living stipend worth?
At least £15,500, covering accommodation and living costs in Exeter for the one-year programme, on top of full tuition coverage.
Can I apply if I already hold a Master’s degree in a related field from outside the UK?
The exclusion specifically applies to a Master’s degree in TESOL, applied linguistics, English, or a related field earned from a UK university — confirm your specific situation directly with the University of Exeter if your existing degree is from elsewhere.
Is this scholarship available for the PGCert or PGDip TESOL pathways instead of the full Master’s?
No. It’s only available for the MEd TESOL programme specifically.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, including the current deadline and stipend figure, were verified directly against the University of Exeter’s official School of Education page as of August 2026. Requirements and figures can change between cycles — always confirm current details directly at education.exeter.ac.uk before applying.
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