Imagine teaching English in a busy classroom halfway across the world, dreaming of a UK master’s degree you assume you could never afford. The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship at the University of Exeter exists for exactly that person. It’s fully funded — tuition, a living stipend, and even your flights.
But it’s a specific award for a specific person, and that’s where a lot of hopeful applicants get it wrong. Let’s clear up what it really funds, who qualifies, and how the two-step application actually works.
Key Takeaways
- The Hornby Trust Scholarship fully funds the MEd TESOL at Exeter, covering tuition, a stipend of at least £15,500, and return travel (University of Exeter, 2026).
- It’s for experienced English language teachers from developing countries — not a general Exeter scholarship.
- Up to 10 awards are offered for September entry, with a February application deadline.
What is the Hornby Trust Scholarship?
It’s a fully funded master’s scholarship from the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust, tenable at the University of Exeter for the MEd TESOL programme (University of Exeter, 2026). TESOL means Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages — so this is squarely for English language teachers.
Up to ten fully funded scholarships are available each year for teachers with the potential to strengthen English language teaching back in their home country. It’s an investment in educators who’ll return and make an impact.
Unique insight: here’s the mix-up worth avoiding. Some listings tie the Hornby name to other subjects, but this scholarship is strictly for the MEd TESOL. If you’re not an English language teacher, this particular award isn’t your route — and knowing that saves a wasted application.
What does the scholarship include?
This is a genuine full ride, not a partial discount. The award covers full tuition fees, a stipend of at least £15,500 for accommodation and living costs, and return travel to the UK (University of Exeter, 2026). Very few scholarships cover all three.
What the Hornby Scholarship covers
- Full tuition fees for the MEd TESOL
- A stipend of at least £15,500 for living and accommodation
- Return travel costs to the UK
- Up to 10 awards for September entry
Our take: the travel and stipend are what make this life-changing rather than just generous. Plenty of “scholarships” cover tuition and leave you to fund a year in the UK yourself. This one removes that barrier entirely, which is why it draws applicants worldwide.
Who is eligible for the Hornby Trust Scholarship?
Eligibility is tightly defined, and the experience requirement is the big filter. You need to be a resident of and working in a developing country on the OECD DAC list, with at least three years’ full-time TESOL teaching experience after your first degree (University of Exeter, 2026). This isn’t for fresh graduates.
You’ll need all three
- Residence and work in an OECD DAC-listed country (developing economies)
- At least 3 years’ full-time TESOL teaching or related experience after your degree
- An undergraduate degree at UK upper second-class (2:1) level or higher, or a relevant postgraduate degree
See why the three-year rule matters so much? The Trust wants proven teachers who’ll take their new skills home and lift the whole field. Your classroom experience isn’t a nice-to-have here — it’s the heart of your case.
How do you apply for the Hornby Scholarship?
The process runs in two stages, and the order is strict. You first apply to Exeter for the MEd TESOL and receive a student number, then use that number to submit your Hornby Scholarship application (University of Exeter, 2026). Skip the first step, and you can’t complete the second.
The Hornby application asks for a covering letter of no more than 1,000 words, answering three questions about your teaching experience and suitability (University of Exeter, 2026). That letter is where you win or lose it, so give it real time.
One practical warning: because you need the Exeter student number first, leaving your programme application late can cost you the scholarship. Start the MEd TESOL application well before the funding deadline.
When is the deadline for 2026/2027?
The closing date for the 2026-2027 scholarship, for September 2026 entry, was 9 February 2026 (A.S. Hornby Educational Trust, 2026). As of mid-2026, that round has closed and the scholars are being selected.
Timing reality: Applications for the 2026–2027 cycle are now closed. This scholarship usually opens each autumn and closes around February for courses beginning in September. If you are targeting the next intake, use the coming months to strengthen your experience and prepare a compelling cover letter.
Why start so early for a February deadline? Because you need three years of teaching behind you, a UK-level degree, and time to complete two separate applications. The strongest candidates prepare long before the call opens.
How to strengthen your application
Since this scholarship rewards impact and experience, your teaching story does the heavy lifting. From how development-focused scholarships are typically judged, evidence of real classroom impact wins. A few things that genuinely help:
- Show your impact. Concrete examples of improving English teaching in your context stand out.
- Nail the 1,000-word letter. Answer all three questions clearly and specifically.
- Confirm your eligibility. Country, experience, and degree level must all line up.
- Apply to Exeter early. You need that student number before you can apply for funding.
Frame yourself as an educator who’ll return home and make a difference, not just a student seeking a degree. That development angle is exactly what the Hornby Trust is funding.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Hornby Trust Scholarship worth?
It’s fully funded, covering full tuition, a stipend of at least £15,500, and return travel to the UK (University of Exeter, 2026). Up to ten awards are offered each year for the MEd TESOL programme.
What programme is it for?
The scholarship is only for the MEd TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Exeter (University of Exeter, 2026). It’s designed for experienced English language teachers, not other subjects.
Who is eligible to apply?
Teachers residing and working in an OECD DAC-listed developing country, with at least three years’ TESOL experience and a UK 2:1-equivalent degree (University of Exeter, 2026). The experience requirement is essential.
How do I apply?
Apply to Exeter for the MEd TESOL to receive a student number, then submit the Hornby application with a covering letter of up to 1,000 words (University of Exeter, 2026). Both steps are required, in that order.
What is the deadline?
The 2026-2027 deadline was 9 February 2026, for September 2026 entry (A.S. Hornby Educational Trust, 2026). The scholarship runs annually, so expect a similar February deadline for the next cycle.
The bottom line
The Hornby Trust Scholarship is one of the most complete awards an English language teacher could hope for: full tuition, a £15,500-plus stipend, flights, and a respected UK master’s. For an experienced teacher from a developing country, it’s a genuine door to a bigger career.
The 2026-2027 round has closed, but this runs every year with a February deadline. So don’t wait. Keep building your teaching impact, draft that covering letter, and get your Exeter application ready early. Then check the official Exeter Hornby Scholarship page for the next cycle’s dates. Your master’s in the UK could be closer than you think.
Sources
- University of Exeter, A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship, https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=5436
- A.S. Hornby Educational Trust, Scholarships, https://www.hornby-trust.org.uk/
- University of Exeter, Masters Funding and Scholarships, https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/postgraduatetaught/scholarships/
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