British Council English and School Education Scholarships Scheme 2026

📝 About the Opportunity

The British Council, in collaboration with the University of Portsmouth and the University of Stirling, is funding a new international scholarships scheme aimed at strengthening English language teaching in government school systems across Ghana, Kenya, Türkiye, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka.

Key Details:

• Scholarships Available: 40 fully funded scholarships
• Program: Part-time, online master’s qualifications in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
• Eligibility: Experienced teachers and teacher educators
• Coverage: Full tuition, return travel, living expenses for a bespoke two-week academic study visit to the UK

🎁 Benefits

Recipients of the scholarship will receive:

• Full tuition fees for the online master’s program
• Return flights to the UK
• Accommodation on campus during the two-week visit
• Breakfast and living stipend for daily expenses during the visit
• Visa application fee reimbursement
• Reimbursement of one English language test fee

✅ Eligibility Criteria

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 program
• Show strong commitment to improving national ELT systems
• Participate in British Council monitoring and alumni activity

Who Cannot Apply?

• Private-sector teachers unaffiliated with the government
• Dual British citizens
• British Council or UK government employees (including close relatives)
• Anyone who studied in the UK in the past 5 years
• Anyone receiving UK funding for other study
• Applicants not living in the eligible country

📋 Application Process

Required Documents:

• Degree certificates & transcripts
• CV
• Personal statement
• References (usually one academic and/or professional)
• English test score (if already available – not mandatory at application stage)
• Clear scans or photos are acceptable for initial review

Steps to Apply:

1. Apply for a place on the relevant TESOL master’s program.
2. Once you receive an offer from the university, submit your scholarship application.
   • Important: 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.

🌍 Program-Specific Information

Applicants from Ghana, Kenya, and Türkiye:

• University of Portsmouth MA TESOL (Distance Learning) program

Applicants from Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka:

• University of Stirling MSc TESOL (Online) program

📅 Application Deadline

30 September, 2026

📧 Contact Information

For further details, visit the British Council English and School Education Scholarships Scheme.

• 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