Applications are now open for the British Council English and School Education Scholarships Scheme 2026. Deadline: April 30, 2026. The British Council partners with the University of Portsmouth and the University of Stirling to offer this program. It targets experienced teachers and teacher educators in Ghana, Kenya, Türkiye, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. These professionals work in government school systems. The scheme funds part-time online master’s degrees in TESOL while they keep their jobs. This article covers an overview of the program, scholarship benefits, eligibility rules, application steps, and country-specific details. Published on 2026-03-26.
The British Council English and School Education Scholarships Scheme 2026 aims to boost English language teaching in government schools. It will fund 40 fully funded scholarships. These go to active teachers and teacher educators. They can pursue part-time online master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, or TESOL. Participants stay in their home countries and continue working. Each scholar also gets a two-week study visit to the UK. This includes travel and living support. The program builds skills to improve national English teaching systems. Now, let’s look at what the scholarships cover.
The scholarship covers these key benefits:
- Full tuition fees for the online master’s program
- Return flights to the UK
- Accommodation on campus during the two-week visit
- Breakfast plus a living stipend for daily expenses during the visit
- Reimbursement of the visa application fee
- Reimbursement of one English language test fee
To qualify, applicants must meet these criteria:
- Hold a passport and be a permanent resident of an eligible country: Ghana, Kenya, Türkiye, Bangladesh, India, or Sri Lanka
- Work in or directly with the government education system
- Be an active English language teacher or teacher educator
- Meet the academic entry requirements for the chosen master’s program
- Show a strong commitment to improving national English language teaching systems
- Agree to take part in British Council monitoring and alumni activities
The application process starts with the university, not the scholarship directly. First, apply for a place on the relevant TESOL master’s program. Wait for an offer from the university. Then, submit your scholarship application. You can only apply for the scholarship after getting that offer. If you get into the master’s but do not win the scholarship, you do not have to enroll. Here are the required documents:
- Degree certificates and transcripts
- CV
- Personal statement
- References, usually one academic and one professional
- English test score, if you already have it (not needed at first)
Follow these steps:
- Apply to the relevant university TESOL program.
- Receive an offer from the university.
- Submit your scholarship application after the offer.
Check the table below for country-specific programs. It shows which university and links each group uses.
| Eligible Countries | University/Program | Application Link | Webinar Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghana, Kenya, Türkiye | University of Portsmouth MA TESOL (Distance Learning) | apply or enquire | watch webinar |
| Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka | University of Stirling MSc TESOL (Online) | apply or enquire | watch webinar |
For full details, visit the official British Council page.
This table compares the two programs side by side:
| Program | University | Format | Target Countries | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA TESOL (Distance Learning) | University of Portsmouth | Part-time distance learning | Ghana, Kenya, Türkiye | Online study while working; two-week UK visit |
| MSc TESOL (Online) | University of Stirling | Part-time online | Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka | Online study while working; two-week UK visit |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries can apply for the 2026 TESOL scholarships?
Eligible countries are Ghana, Kenya, Türkiye, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka for teachers in government school systems.
What does the scholarship cover?
It covers full tuition fees, return flights to the UK, two-week accommodation and stipend, plus visa and English test fee reimbursements.
How do I apply for the scholarship?
First apply to the relevant university TESOL program and get an offer, then submit the scholarship application by April 30, 2026.
Do I need an English test score to apply?
You can apply without it initially, but one English test fee will be reimbursed if selected; check university requirements.
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