Deadline: 30 April 2026
Applications are now open for the 2026 British Council English and School Education Scholarships Scheme. The British Council is funding a new international scholarships scheme in collaboration with the University of Portsmouth and the University of Stirling, aimed at strengthening English language teaching in government school systems across Ghana, Kenya, Türkiye, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.
Scholars will commence their studies in September 2026 on flexible, part-time programmes lasting up to 30 months. Courses will be delivered entirely online and include a two-week study visit to the UK, enabling in-person academic collaboration, professional networking and cultural exchange.
Benefits
- The scheme will award 40 fully funded scholarships to experienced teachers and teacher educators to undertake part-time, online master’s qualifications in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) while continuing to work in their home countries.
- Each scholarship covers full tuition, along with return travel and living expenses for a bespoke two-week academic study visit to the UK.
- Full tuition fees for the online master’s
- Return flights to the UK
- Accommodation on campus during the 2‑week visit
- Breakfast + living stipend for daily expenses during the visit
- Visa application fee reimbursement
- Reimbursement of one English language test fee
Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be passport holders and permanent residents of an eligible country
- Work in or directly with the government education system
- Be an active English language teacher or teacher educator
- Meet the academic entry criteria for the chosen master’s programme
- Show strong commitment to improving national ELT systems
- Participate in British Council monitoring and alumni activity
- Educators based in Ghana, Kenya and Türkiye will undertake the MA TESOL (Distance Learning) with the University of Portsmouth, while participants from Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka will enrol on the MSc TESOL (Online) with the University of Stirling.
- Stirling: Up to 30 months
- Portsmouth: Up to 26 months
Both are part‑time to allow you to continue working.
Is the learning fully online?
Yes — weekly materials released online.
Includes:
- Asynchronous study
- Occasional live/virtual sessions
- One‑to‑one tutor support
- Online dissertation supervision
UK visit
- Stirling: Typically June 2027
- Portsmouth: Summer 2027
Exact dates are coordinated with the scholarship cohort.
Application Timeline:
- Scholarship applications close: 30 April 2026
- Online study begins: September 2026
How to apply
The first step is to apply for a place on the relevant TESOL master’s programme. Once you receive an offer from the university, submit your scholarship application. Please note that scholarship applications can only be submitted after securing a place on the master’s course. If accepted onto a master’s course but not selected for a scholarship, there is no obligation to take the course.
- Applicants from Ghana, Kenya, and Türkiye: University of Portsmouth MA TESOL (Distance Learning) programme. Watch the information webinar.
And apply or enquire. - Applicants from Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka: University of Stirling MSc TESOL (Online) programme. Watch the information webinar.
And apply or enquire.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the British Council English and School Education Scholarships Scheme
