Applications are open for the Hornby Trust Scholarship 2027 at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. This fully funded opportunity is designed for experienced English-language teachers and related professionals from low- and middle-income countries who want to pursue the MEd Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
For the 2027/28 academic year, up to 10 fully funded scholarships are available. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, provides a monthly stipend for accommodation and living expenses, and pays for return international travel costs. (University of Exeter)
The application deadline is 22 November 2026, while successful scholars are expected to begin their studies at the University of Exeter in September 2027. (University of Exeter)
Importantly, the application procedure has changed from previous cycles. You do not need to apply separately for the University of Exeter MEd TESOL before submitting the Hornby Scholarship application. Applicants who are shortlisted will receive instructions on applying to the MEd TESOL programme. (University of Exeter)
Hornby Trust Scholarship 2027 Overview
Scholarship: A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship
University: University of Exeter
Country: United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Programme: MEd Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Study Level: Master’s
Study Mode: Full-time
Number of Scholarships: Up to 10
Funding: Fully funded
Duration: 1 year
Eligible Countries: Qualifying low- and middle-income countries
Professional Experience: Minimum 3 years of full-time TESOL teaching or related professional experience after the first degree
Application Deadline: 22 November 2026
Programme Start: September 2027
The scholarship is jointly administered by the University of Exeter and the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust. (University of Exeter)
What Is the Hornby Trust Scholarship 2027?
The Hornby Trust Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded master’s scholarship created to strengthen English-language teaching in low- and middle-income countries.
The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust has supported English-language teaching for decades. In fact, the Trust was founded in 1961 by A.S. Hornby, the English-language teaching specialist best known for creating the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. (Hornby Trust)
Today, the Trust supports the professional development of English-language teachers, particularly those from the Global South.
The current master’s scholarship programme operates in partnership with the University of Exeter.
Most importantly, the scholarship is not simply designed to help recipients earn a UK degree. Instead, the programme aims to develop professionals who can return home and strengthen English-language teaching and learning in their countries. (Hornby Trust)
Therefore, applicants should demonstrate both professional experience and the potential to create wider impact.
What Does the Hornby Trust Scholarship Cover?
The Hornby Trust Scholarship 2027 is fully funded.
According to the University of Exeter, successful applicants receive:
- Full university tuition fees
- A monthly stipend toward accommodation and living expenses
- Return international travel costs
The award lasts for one year, covering the duration of the MEd TESOL programme. (University of Exeter)
This makes the Hornby Scholarship particularly valuable for teachers from countries where financing a master’s degree in the United Kingdom would otherwise be difficult.
Who Can Apply for the Hornby Trust Scholarship 2027?
Applicants must satisfy several requirements.
First, you must be a resident of and work in a country classified on the relevant OECD Development Assistance Committee list as:
- Least Developed
- Low Income
- Lower Middle Income
- Upper Middle Income
Additionally, applicants need at least three years of full-time TESOL teaching or related professional experience after completing their first degree. (University of Exeter)
Therefore, this scholarship is primarily intended for experienced professionals rather than fresh university graduates.
Academic Requirements
Applicants must already hold an undergraduate degree or an appropriate postgraduate qualification.
For undergraduate qualifications, the academic standard should be equivalent to at least a UK Upper Second-Class Honours degree (2:1).
Furthermore, candidates must satisfy the University of Exeter’s admission requirements for the MEd TESOL programme. (University of Exeter)
Academic achievement is important because the scholarship targets academically talented as well as professionally experienced applicants.
However, academic grades are only one part of the selection process.
Your professional background and potential to improve English-language education in your home country are also central to the scholarship’s purpose.
Professional Experience Requirement
One of the most important requirements is professional experience.
Applicants need a minimum of:
Three years of full-time TESOL teaching or related professional experience after their first degree.
Therefore, simply having taught English before university will not satisfy this particular requirement.
Your qualifying experience must come after your first degree. (University of Exeter)
This experience may be especially relevant if you have worked as an:
- English-language teacher
- TESOL teacher
- Teacher trainer
- English-language programme coordinator
- Curriculum specialist
- English-language education professional
- Academic working in English-language teaching
- Professional supporting teacher development
Nevertheless, applicants should assess whether their work genuinely falls within TESOL or a closely related professional area.
Can African Applicants Apply?
Yes. The Hornby Trust Scholarship 2027 can be an excellent opportunity for eligible African English-language teachers and related professionals.
Eligibility is based partly on the applicant’s country being included within the specified OECD DAC income categories.
Therefore, applicants from qualifying African countries can apply if they also satisfy the academic and professional requirements. (University of Exeter)
However, there is another important condition.
You must not only be a national of an eligible country. You must also reside and work in a qualifying country.
Consequently, applicants living permanently outside an eligible country should check the requirements carefully before applying.
Who Is the Scholarship Looking For?
The Hornby Educational Trust prioritises applicants who can make a meaningful contribution to English-language education.
As a result, a strong candidate should be able to show more than classroom teaching experience.
For example, applicants may demonstrate involvement in:
- Teacher training
- Mentoring other teachers
- Curriculum development
- English-language education projects
- Teacher associations
- Educational leadership
- Professional development activities
- English-language programme management
- Community education
- Educational research
The scholarship’s broader objective is capacity building.
Therefore, applicants who can demonstrate how their experience has influenced other teachers or learners may be particularly well aligned with the programme’s purpose. (University of Exeter)
Who Cannot Apply?
Several restrictions apply.
You should not apply if you already hold a doctoral degree in TESOL, applied linguistics, English or a related field.
Additionally, applicants who already hold a master’s degree in TESOL, applied linguistics, English or a related area from a UK university are not eligible. (University of Exeter)
These restrictions help direct the scholarships toward professionals who would benefit most from the programme.
Which Programme Does the Scholarship Cover?
The scholarship is specifically connected to the University of Exeter’s:
MEd Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
It cannot be transferred to an unrelated master’s programme.
Furthermore, the University of Exeter confirms that the scholarship is not available for the PGCert or PGDip versions of the programme. (University of Exeter)
Therefore, applicants seeking funding for programmes in business, engineering, public health, finance or other unrelated subjects should not apply for this scholarship.
Why Study MEd TESOL at the University of Exeter?
The programme provides advanced study for professionals involved in English-language teaching.
For experienced teachers, postgraduate TESOL study can strengthen knowledge in areas such as:
- Language teaching methodology
- Language learning
- Curriculum development
- Teacher education
- Educational research
- Professional practice
- Language assessment
- Classroom practice
- TESOL theory
- Educational leadership
More importantly, Hornby scholars are expected to use their postgraduate training to strengthen English-language teaching after completing the programme.
The Trust states that its primary scholarship objective is to enable scholars to make effective contributions to English-language teaching in their home countries after completing their master’s degrees. (Hornby Trust)
Do You Need to Apply to Exeter First?
No.
This is particularly important because information from older Hornby scholarship cycles may give different instructions.
For the 2027/28 scholarship cycle, the University of Exeter explicitly states:
There is no need to apply for the MEd TESOL programme before submitting the Hornby Scholarship application. (University of Exeter)
Instead, applicants should first complete the dedicated Hornby Scholarship application.
After the initial assessment, shortlisted candidates will receive instructions explaining how to apply for admission to the MEd TESOL programme.
Therefore, applicants should follow the current 2027/28 instructions, not application guides written for previous years.
How to Apply for the Hornby Trust Scholarship 2027
The application process begins with the Hornby Scholarship application.
Step 1: Check Your Country Eligibility
First, confirm that you reside and work in a country within one of the eligible OECD DAC categories.
Do not assume that nationality alone is enough.
Step 2: Confirm Your Professional Experience
Next, calculate your full-time professional experience after your first degree.
You need at least three years of qualifying TESOL teaching or related professional experience.
Therefore, check your employment dates carefully.
Step 3: Check Your Academic Qualification
Make sure your undergraduate qualification meets the required academic standard.
You must also be academically eligible for the University of Exeter MEd TESOL programme.
Step 4: Complete the Hornby Scholarship Application
Complete the dedicated scholarship application form provided through the official University of Exeter scholarship page.
At this stage, do not submit a separate MEd TESOL application simply because older online guides tell you to do so.
The 2027/28 procedure has changed. (University of Exeter)
Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline
Complete and submit your application before:
22 November 2026
Late applications should not be expected to receive consideration.
Step 6: Wait for Shortlisting
The University of Exeter and the Hornby Educational Trust will jointly assess applications.
Applicants selected for the next stage will be contacted with further instructions.
Step 7: Apply for the MEd TESOL if shortlisted.
Shortlisted applicants will receive instructions explaining how to submit their University of Exeter programme application. (University of Exeter)
Therefore, follow the instructions you receive rather than trying to anticipate the process.
Hornby Scholarship 2027 Selection Timeline
The University of Exeter has published a clear timetable for the 2027/28 competition.
Application Deadline
22 November 2026
Shortlist Notification
Applicants will be told whether they have been shortlisted no later than 5 January 2027.
Interviews
Interviews are scheduled to take place between:
15 February and 24 February 2027
Final Results
Interviewed applicants will receive the final outcome no later than 4 March 2027. (University of Exeter)
Therefore, applicants should monitor their email carefully throughout the selection period.
How Competitive Is the Hornby Trust Scholarship?
The scholarship is competitive.
Only up to 10 fully funded awards are available for the 2027/28 academic year. (University of Exeter)
Moreover, candidates come from numerous eligible countries.
For this reason, applicants should not approach the scholarship as a simple funding application.
Your application should clearly demonstrate:
- Strong academic preparation
- Significant TESOL experience
- Professional growth
- Leadership potential
- Evidence of impact
- Commitment to English-language education
- Clear plans for applying your knowledge after graduation
Most importantly, your goals should connect with the scholarship’s capacity-building mission.
Tips for a Strong Hornby Scholarship Application
Start with your professional impact.
Rather than simply writing that you have taught English for several years, explain what changed because of your work.
For example, have you:
- Helped other teachers improve their teaching?
- Introduced a new classroom method?
- Mentored beginning teachers?
- Developed teaching materials?
- Organised teacher-development activities?
- Worked with disadvantaged learners?
- Led an English-language programme?
- Participated in a teacher association?
Concrete examples can make your professional experience easier to understand.
Furthermore, connect your challenges to the MEd TESOL.
Explain what you still need to learn and why postgraduate study at Exeter is relevant to those needs.
Finally, show how the knowledge will travel beyond you.
The Hornby Trust’s objective is not merely to educate one individual. Instead, it wants scholars who can strengthen English-language teaching in their wider professional communities. (Hornby Trust)
Can School Teachers Apply?
Potentially, yes.
A school teacher may be eligible if their professional experience involves teaching English or another qualifying TESOL-related role.
However, teaching an unrelated subject would not automatically satisfy the TESOL professional-experience requirement.
Therefore, applicants should assess the actual nature of their professional responsibilities.
Can University English Lecturers Apply?
Potentially, yes.
University lecturers involved in English-language teaching, TESOL, applied linguistics or related areas may have relevant professional backgrounds.
Nevertheless, they must satisfy all other eligibility conditions, including the country, academic and experience requirements.
Can Fresh Graduates Apply?
Generally, no.
The Hornby Trust Scholarship 2027 requires at least three years of full-time TESOL teaching or related professional experience after the first degree. (University of Exeter)
Therefore, someone who recently completed a bachelor’s degree and has little or no post-degree professional experience would not meet this requirement.
Can Someone With a Master’s Degree Apply?
Having a master’s degree does not automatically disqualify an applicant.
However, you cannot already hold a master’s degree in TESOL, applied linguistics, English or a related area from a UK university. (University of Exeter)
Applicants with postgraduate qualifications from other contexts should compare their circumstances with the official criteria.
Can PhD Holders Apply?
The scholarship excludes applicants who already hold a doctoral degree in TESOL, applied linguistics, English or a related field. (University of Exeter)
Therefore, applicants with doctoral qualifications should review this restriction carefully.
Can You Combine the Hornby Scholarship With Another Scholarship?
Normally, the Hornby Scholarship is not awarded alongside another scholarship.
The University of Exeter states that if an applicant obtains another scholarship, the Hornby award will only be made if its value is greater than the other award. (University of Exeter)
Therefore, successful applicants should disclose other scholarship awards as required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hornby Trust Scholarship 2027 fully funded?
Yes. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, provides a monthly stipend toward accommodation and living costs, and covers return international travel. (University of Exeter)
How many scholarships are available?
Up to 10 scholarships are available for the September 2027 intake. (University of Exeter)
Can African students apply?
Yes, provided they are nationals of, reside in and work in countries that meet the specified OECD DAC classification and satisfy the other eligibility requirements.
Is work experience compulsory?
Yes. Applicants need at least three years of full-time TESOL teaching or related professional experience after completing their first degree. (University of Exeter)
Can fresh graduates apply?
A fresh graduate without the required three years of post-degree professional experience would not satisfy the published eligibility requirement.
Which degree will scholars study?
Successful scholars pursue the MEd TESOL at the University of Exeter.
Can I choose another university?
No. The current Hornby Master’s Scholarship is delivered in partnership with the University of Exeter. (Hornby Trust)
Can I choose another master’s programme at Exeter?
No. The scholarship is specifically for the MEd TESOL programme and does not cover PGCert or PGDip study. (University of Exeter)
Do I need to apply to Exeter before applying for the scholarship?
No. For the 2027/28 cycle, applicants should submit the Hornby Scholarship application first. Shortlisted candidates will then receive instructions for applying to the MEd TESOL programme. (University of Exeter)
When will interviews take place?
Interviews are scheduled between 15 and 24 February 2027. (University of Exeter)
When will final results be announced?
Shortlisted applicants should receive the final outcome no later than 4 March 2027. (University of Exeter)
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is 22 November 2026. (University of Exeter)
Final Thoughts
The Hornby Trust Scholarship 2027 is a valuable fully funded opportunity for experienced English-language teachers and TESOL professionals from eligible low- and middle-income countries.
With up to 10 scholarships, successful applicants receive full tuition funding, a monthly stipend for accommodation and living expenses, and return international travel support while completing the MEd TESOL at the University of Exeter. (University of Exeter)
However, the scholarship is designed for established professionals rather than fresh graduates. Applicants need at least three years of full-time TESOL teaching or related experience after completing their first degree.
Above all, successful candidates should demonstrate the potential to strengthen English-language teaching in their home countries after graduation.
The application deadline is 22 November 2026, giving eligible applicants time to prepare a strong application.
Official Application Links
University of Exeter – A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship:
Official Hornby Scholarship 2027 application information
A.S. Hornby Educational Trust – MEd TESOL Scholarships:
Official Hornby Trust scholarship page
University of Exeter – Master’s Funding:
University of Exeter funding and scholarships
Deadline: 22 November 2026
Number of Awards: Up to 10
Study Destination: University of Exeter, United Kingdom 🇬🇧
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