Do you think you have what it takes to become a Hornby scholar? Applications for the prestigious Hornby scholarships are open.
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.
Entry requirements
You should only apply if you:
- are 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)
- have a minimum of three years’ full time TESOL teaching or related professional experience after your first degree
- hold an undergraduate degree (with grades equivalent to UK upper 2nd class honours or higher) or a relevant postgraduate degree
- have submitted a Postgraduate application to the University of Exeter for the MEd TESOL programme to receive an Exeter student number.
How to apply
First complete the University of Exeter application form for admission to the MEd TESOL programme. This can be found in the ‘Apply Online’ section in the upper right section of this webpage. Once you have obtained an Exeter student number, complete the Hornby Scholarship application form here.
Remember that you will need your Exeter student number to submit your Hornby 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).
Closing date
The closing date for applications for this award is 26 February 2025.
Applicants will be notified if they have been shortlisted to attend an interview no later than 18 April 2025. Interviews will be held between Monday 28 April and Wednesday 14 May 2025.
Applicants shortlisted to attend an interview will be notified of the final outcome no later than 22 May 2025.
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.