The A.S. Hornby Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded Master’s scholarship for experienced English language teachers and TESOL professionals. The scholarship allows selected international students to study the MEd TESOL at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom.
For the 2027/28 academic year, up to 10 scholarships are available. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, a monthly stipend for accommodation and living costs, and return international travel costs. The program starts in September 2027 and the scholarship lasts for one year.
The application deadline is 22 November 2026. This scholarship is mainly aimed at experienced English language teaching professionals who live and work in eligible low- and middle-income countries and want to use their studies to improve English language teaching in their home countries.
A.S. Hornby Scholarship 2027 Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Host Country | United Kingdom |
| Host University | University of Exeter |
| Scholarship | A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship |
| Degree Level | Master’s |
| Program | MEd TESOL |
| September 2027 Awards | Up to 10 |
| Funding | Fully Funded |
| Tuition Fees | Full Fees Covered |
| Living Costs | Monthly Stipend |
| Travel | Return International Travel |
| Duration | 1 Year |
| Application Deadline | 22 November 2026 |
| Shortlist Notification | By 5 January 2027 |
| Interviews | 15–24 February 2027 |
| Final Results | By 4 March 2027 |
The scholarship is jointly considered by the University of Exeter and the Hornby Educational Trust. It is specifically linked to the University’s MEd TESOL program and cannot be used for the PGCert or PGDip routes.
What Is the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship?
The Hornby Educational Trust focuses on strengthening English language teaching in low- and middle-income countries.
Its Master’s scholarship program is designed for teachers and related professionals who already have experience in English language teaching and can show the potential to make a positive difference in their home country after completing their studies.
This makes the scholarship different from a general UK Master’s scholarship. It is specifically aimed at people building a professional career in TESOL and English language education.
What Does the A.S. Hornby Scholarship Cover?
The A.S. Hornby Scholarship 2027 is fully funded.
According to the University of Exeter, successful scholars receive:
- Full university tuition fees
- Monthly living stipend
- Accommodation/living cost support through the stipend
- Return international travel costs
The scholarship is provided for one year, covering the period of the MEd TESOL program.
Unlike some scholarships where “fully funded” is used loosely, the University itself lists full fees, a monthly stipend for accommodation and living expenses, and return international travel as the value of this award.
Who Can Apply for the Hornby Scholarship 2027?
This scholarship has quite specific eligibility requirements.
You should apply only if you meet the conditions set by the University and Hornby Educational Trust.
1. Country Requirement
You must live and work in a country classified under the relevant OECD DAC categories as:
- Least Developed
- Low Income
- Lower Middle Income
- Upper Middle Income
The scholarship is therefore not simply open to applicants from every country. Both where you reside and work matter.
2. At Least Three Years of Professional Experience
Applicants must have at least three years of full-time TESOL teaching or related professional experience.
Importantly, this experience must have been gained after completing your first degree.
This makes the scholarship much more suitable for established teachers and ELT professionals than fresh graduates.
3. Academic Qualification
You must already have an undergraduate degree.
Your qualification should be equivalent to a UK upper second-class honours degree (2:1) or higher.
Applicants with a relevant postgraduate qualification may also meet this requirement.
Who Is Not Eligible?
The official criteria also identify applicants who should not apply.
You are not eligible if you already hold a doctoral degree in TESOL, applied linguistics, English, or a related field.
You should also not apply if you already hold a Master’s degree in TESOL, applied linguistics, English, or a related area from a UK university.
Notice the wording here.
The restriction refers specifically to a relevant Master’s degree from a UK university. Applicants should read the official conditions carefully rather than assuming that every previous Master’s degree automatically makes them ineligible.
What Can You Study?
This scholarship funds one specific degree:
MEd Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
The program is offered by the University of Exeter’s School of Education.
The Hornby Scholarship cannot be used for another Master’s degree at Exeter.
It is also not available for the:
- PGCert
- PGDip
routes of the TESOL program.
That narrow focus is important for applicants.
If your goal is an MBA, computer science, engineering, public health, or another unrelated Master’s degree, this is not the right scholarship.
Who Is This Scholarship Best For?
The strongest candidates are likely to be professionals who can connect their past experience with their future impact.
For example, an applicant may be working as:
- English language teacher
- TESOL instructor
- Teacher trainer
- ELT coordinator
- English curriculum professional
- Language education specialist
- Related English language education professional
The Hornby Trust says its objective is for scholars to return from their Master’s study and make effective contributions to strengthening English language teaching in their home countries.
So your application should not focus only on:
“I want to study in the UK.”
It should clearly answer:
What have I already done in English language education, what problem do I want to address, and how will this Master’s help me contribute after I return home?
That is much closer to the purpose of the scholarship.
Do You Apply to the University First?
This is an important point because the 2027 application procedure is different from what applicants may find in older Hornby Scholarship guides online.
For the current 2027/28 round, the University of Exeter says:
You do not need to apply for the MEd TESOL program before submitting the Hornby Scholarship application.
Instead, you first complete the Hornby Scholarship application form.
Applicants shortlisted for an interview will then receive instructions about applying for the MEd TESOL program at Exeter.
This is worth emphasizing because outdated articles may describe a different application sequence.
How to Apply for the A.S. Hornby Scholarship 2027
The application process begins with the scholarship itself.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Before starting, make sure you meet the country, academic, and professional experience requirements.
Pay particular attention to the three years of full-time TESOL or related experience after your first degree.
Step 2: Complete the Hornby Scholarship Application
Complete the official Hornby Scholarship application form.
You do not need to submit an MEd TESOL admission application first for this round.
Step 3: Submit Before 22 November 2026
Make sure your scholarship application is completed before the official deadline.
Step 4: Wait for Shortlisting
Applicants selected for the next stage will be informed no later than 5 January 2027.
Step 5: Apply to the MEd TESOL Program
Shortlisted candidates will receive instructions explaining how to submit their University of Exeter application.
The scholarship award remains conditional on applying to the MEd TESOL program.
Step 6: Attend the Interview
Interviews are scheduled between 15 and 24 February 2027.
Step 7: Final Result
Interviewed applicants should receive the final outcome no later than 4 March 2027.
Official Application Page
Use the official University of Exeter scholarship page for the application form, current eligibility criteria, and terms:
Apply for the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship 2027
Applicants can also learn more about the scholarship’s objectives directly from the Trust:
Hornby Trust MEd TESOL Scholarships
A.S. Hornby Scholarship 2027 Timeline
The official dates make it easier to plan your application.
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications | Open |
| Application Deadline | 22 November 2026 |
| Interview Shortlist | By 5 January 2027 |
| Interviews | 15–24 February 2027 |
| Final Outcome | By 4 March 2027 |
| MEd TESOL Begins | September 2027 |
This gives applicants several months to prepare before the course begins.
How Competitive Is the Scholarship?
Applicants should expect strong competition.
Only up to 10 fully funded scholarships are available for September 2027 entry.
The University says awards will go to academically talented and experienced applicants.
Professional impact is also central to the Hornby Trust’s mission. Its scholarship program is intended to develop ELT professionals who can strengthen English language teaching in their own countries after completing their studies.
For that reason, a strong application should connect three things:
Past experience → MEd TESOL study → future impact
That story should be clear throughout the application.
Important Points Before Applying
There are a few conditions applicants should understand.
The Hornby Scholarship normally cannot be combined with another scholarship. If you receive another scholarship, the Hornby award will only be provided where it is greater than the other award.
The University also states that scholarship offers can be withdrawn if a student defers their offer or changes their fee status.
Applicants should therefore read the current terms carefully before accepting another funding offer or changing their study plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The University of Exeter lists full fees, a monthly stipend for accommodation and living costs, and return international travel costs.
Up to 10 fully funded scholarships are available for September 2027 entry.
The application deadline is 22 November 2026.
It funds the MEd TESOL at the University of Exeter. It does not cover the PGCert or PGDip routes.
Applicants need at least three years of full-time TESOL teaching or related professional experience after their first degree.
No. For the current 2027/28 round, applicants first complete the Hornby Scholarship application. Shortlisted candidates are then given instructions to apply for the MEd TESOL program.
The official scholarship page does not list a separate Hornby Scholarship application fee. Applicants should use the official application route and check any current University admission requirements when invited to apply.
Applicants will know whether they are shortlisted by 5 January 2027. Interviews take place from 15–24 February, and final outcomes are expected no later than 4 March 2027.
Final Thoughts
The A.S. Hornby Scholarship 2027 is an excellent opportunity, but it is aimed at a very specific group of applicants. It is best suited to experienced English language teachers and related TESOL professionals from eligible low- and middle-income countries.
With full tuition fees, a monthly living stipend, return international travel costs, and up to 10 awards, the funding package is substantial. More importantly, the scholarship has a clear purpose: helping experienced ELT professionals develop skills they can use to strengthen English language education in their home countries.
Applications close on 22 November 2026, so applicants have time to prepare a focused application that demonstrates both their existing TESOL experience and the impact they hope to make after completing the MEd TESOL.
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