TESOL Scholarships for Teachers 2026: Funding, Eligibility and How to Apply

The TESOL Scholarships for Teachers offer experienced educators an opportunity to earn a fully funded postgraduate degree from a UK university without leaving their jobs.

Officially called the British Council English and School Education Scholarships Scheme, the programme supports eligible English-language teachers and teacher educators working in government education systems.

Successful applicants complete their degree online from their home country. The scholarship also includes a funded two-week academic visit to the United Kingdom.

Applications for the 2026 intake closed on 30 April 2026. Teachers interested in a future round should monitor the official scholarship pages because funding for another intake has not yet been confirmed.

TESOL Scholarship at a Glance

• Host country: United Kingdom
• Universities: University of Portsmouth and University of Stirling
• Degree: MA TESOL or MSc TESOL
• Study level: Master’s
• Funding type: Fully funded
• Study format: Part-time online learning
• Additional requirement: Two-week academic visit to the UK
• Eligible countries: Ghana, Kenya, Türkiye, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka
• 2026 deadline: 30 April 2026
• Current status: Closed

What Are the TESOL Scholarships for Teachers?

The scheme provides fully funded master’s training in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, commonly known as TESOL.

It is designed for experienced teachers and teacher educators who want to improve their classroom practice, leadership skills and understanding of English-language education.

The degree is delivered online, allowing scholars to continue working while studying. However, participants must also be available for a two-week academic visit to the UK.

The British Council delivers the scheme in partnership with two universities:

• The University of Portsmouth offers its MA TESOL through distance learning.
• The University of Stirling offers its MSc TESOL online.

Your country determines which university and course you can apply to.

Which University Should You Choose?

Applicants cannot freely choose between the two universities. Each university serves a specific group of countries.

University of Portsmouth

The MA TESOL Distance Learning scholarship is intended for eligible teachers from:

• Ghana
• Kenya
• Türkiye

University of Stirling

The MSc TESOL Online scholarship is intended for eligible teachers from:

• Bangladesh
• India
• Sri Lanka

Before applying, check the course requirements for the university assigned to your country.

Is the TESOL Scholarship Fully Funded?

Yes. The TESOL Scholarships for Teachers can reasonably be classified as fully funded.

The scholarship covers:

• Full tuition for the TESOL master’s degree
• Return travel for the two-week UK study visit
• Accommodation during the visit
• Living expenses during the visit
• Academic and professional-development activities

Applicants should understand that the scholarship does not provide a monthly living allowance throughout the entire degree. Scholars normally live and work in their home countries because the programme is mainly delivered online.

Who Can Apply?

The scholarship is intended for experienced educators connected to government education.

A suitable applicant will normally need to:

• Be a citizen and resident of an eligible country
• Work in or directly with the government education sector
• Be an English-language teacher, teacher trainer or teacher educator
• Have relevant teaching experience
• Meet the university’s academic admission requirements
• Show a commitment to improving English-language education
• Be available for part-time online study
• Participate in the required UK academic visit

The scholarship is not a general international award open to teachers from every country.

Academic and English-Language Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of their assigned university. These requirements may include:

• A recognised bachelor’s degree
• Relevant teaching or teacher-training experience
• Academic transcripts
• Evidence of English-language ability
• Professional or academic references

An English test might not be required at the first stage of the scholarship process. However, shortlisted applicants may need to satisfy the university’s English-language requirements through IELTS or another accepted qualification.

Always follow the requirement stated on the relevant university page. Do not pay for a language test until you confirm that it is required and accepted.

Documents to Prepare

Although requirements may change, applicants should be ready to provide:

• Bachelor’s degree certificate
• Academic transcripts
• Updated CV or résumé
• Personal statement
• Academic or professional reference
• Evidence of teaching experience
• Proof of employment in or with the government education sector
• Passport or national identification
• English-language test result, where required

Your personal statement should explain how the TESOL degree will improve your teaching and how you plan to support English-language education in your country.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for TESOL Scholarships for Teachers 2026: Funding, Eligibility and How to Apply is April 30, 2026.

Scholarship CLOSED: the verified application deadline has passed. Applicants should check the official source for a future application cycle.

Deadline verification: Check the official scholarship source for the latest country-, program-, university- or round-specific deadline.

How to Apply for the TESOL Scholarship

The application process generally involves both university admission and scholarship consideration.

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility

Check that your country, employment and professional experience meet the scholarship conditions.

Step 2: Select the assigned university

Applicants from Ghana, Kenya and Türkiye should check the University of Portsmouth programme.

Applicants from Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka should check the University of Stirling programme.

Step 3: Apply for admission

Complete the application for the appropriate MA TESOL or MSc TESOL course. Submit accurate academic and employment information.

Step 4: Secure a university offer

You may need a conditional or unconditional offer before completing the scholarship process.

Step 5: Submit the scholarship application

Follow the instructions provided by the university and British Council. Scholarship consideration may not be automatic, so read the application page carefully.

Step 6: Monitor your email

The university may request additional documents, an English test or clarification about your teaching role.

Application Deadline and Current Status

The deadline for the 2026 scholarship round was 30 April 2026. Applications are now closed.

The University of Stirling has indicated that it is waiting for confirmation of funding for another round. Therefore, applicants should not assume that a 2027 scholarship will automatically become available.

Avoid unofficial websites claiming that applications remain open after the published deadline. Confirm every new deadline through the British Council or participating university.

Why This Scholarship Is Worth Considering

This opportunity is particularly valuable for teachers who cannot leave their employment to study abroad full-time.

The online structure allows scholars to:

• Continue earning an income while studying
• Gain a recognised UK master’s qualification
• Improve their TESOL knowledge and teaching practice
• Connect with educators from other countries
• Participate in a funded UK academic visit
• Build skills that may support leadership or teacher-training roles

However, applicants should consider the workload. Combining employment with a part-time master’s degree requires reliable internet access, time management and employer support.

Important Applicant Advice

Do not apply based only on the words “fully funded.” First check your country and employment status.

This programme is restricted to experienced educators working in or directly with government education systems in the named countries. A teacher working entirely within a private language school may not qualify.

You should also apply early when a new round opens. University admission can take time, and waiting until the scholarship deadline may prevent you from obtaining the required offer.

Official Application Sources

Applicants should verify future openings through:

• British Council scholarship page
• University of Portsmouth MA TESOL scholarship page
• University of Stirling MSc TESOL scholarship page

Final Guidance

The TESOL Scholarships for Teachers provide full tuition and a funded UK study visit for selected educators from six participating countries. The programme is a strong option for experienced government-sector teachers who want a postgraduate TESOL qualification while continuing to work.

The 2026 competition is closed, and another round has not been officially confirmed. Prospective applicants should prepare their documents now, monitor the official sources and apply promptly if a future intake opens.