British Council TESOL Master’s Scholarships 2026 | Fully Funded
Organization: British Council
Universities: University of Portsmouth and University of Stirling
Study Level: Master’s (TESOL)
Mode: Part-time and online
Eligible Countries: Ghana, Kenya, Türkiye, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka
Deadline: 30 April 2026
The British Council, in collaboration with the University of Portsmouth and the University of Stirling, is offering 40 fully funded scholarships for experienced teachers and teacher educators. The scheme supports part-time, online TESOL master’s qualifications while scholars continue working in their home countries, and it includes a two-week academic study visit to the UK.
Program Overview
The scholarships are designed to strengthen English language teaching in government school systems across Ghana, Kenya, Türkiye, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. The programme is intended to support teacher development and leadership, strengthen classroom practice, and improve learning outcomes through access to academic expertise and international professional networks. Scholars will start in September 2026 on flexible part-time programmes, and the courses are delivered entirely online.
Educators from Ghana, Kenya, and Türkiye will study the MA TESOL (Distance Learning) at the University of Portsmouth, while participants from Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka will enrol in the MSc TESOL (Online) at the University of Stirling. Each programme offers 20 scholarships, usually shared across the eligible countries depending on application quality. On completion, scholars will join the British Council’s global alumni network.
What Is Included
✓ Full tuition fees for the online master’s
✓ Return flights to the UK
✓ Accommodation on campus during the two-week visit
✓ Breakfast and a living stipend for daily expenses during the visit
✓ Visa application fee reimbursement
✓ Reimbursement of one English language test fee
✓ Access to leading UK university faculty, specialist learning resources, and professional mentoring
✓ A two-week funded academic study visit to the UK for academic collaboration, networking, and cultural exchange
Eligibility
• Applicants must be passport holders and permanent residents of an eligible country
• Applicants must work in, or directly with, the government education system
• Applicants must be active English language teachers or teacher educators
• Applicants must meet the academic entry criteria for the chosen master’s programme
• Applicants must show strong commitment to improving national ELT systems
• Applicants must participate in British Council monitoring and alumni activity
• These scholarships are open to experienced teachers and teacher educators in Ghana, Kenya, Türkiye, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka
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 five years
• Anyone receiving UK funding for other study
• Applicants not living in the eligible country
English Language Requirements
The page states that an English test is not required before applying. It is only required after an applicant is shortlisted and offered the scholarship. Examples of accepted tests include IELTS, TOEFL, Pearson, and Cambridge English exams. The scholarship pays for one accepted test attempt. Test results must be submitted by the end of July for Stirling and by mid-August for Portsmouth.
Programme Structure
Both master’s programmes are part-time so scholars can continue working while studying. The Stirling programme lasts up to 30 months, while the Portsmouth programme lasts up to 26 months. Learning is fully online with weekly materials, asynchronous study, occasional live or virtual sessions, one-to-one tutor support, and online dissertation supervision. The UK study visit is typically in June 2027 for Stirling and in summer 2027 for Portsmouth.
Application Process
The first step is to apply for a place on the relevant TESOL master’s programme. After receiving a conditional or unconditional offer from the university, applicants can then submit the scholarship application. The page notes that scholarship applications can only be submitted after securing a place on the master’s course. It also states that if someone is accepted onto a master’s course but not selected for a scholarship, there is no obligation to take the course.
Required Documents
• Degree certificates and transcripts
• CV
• Personal statement
• References, usually one academic and/or professional
• English test score if already available, though it is not mandatory at application stage
• Clear scans or photos for initial review are acceptable
Key Dates
• Scholarship applications close: 30 April 2026
• Online study begins: September 2026
• Scholarship decision: End of June
• Submit English test and documents: Late June to August
• UK study visit: Summer 2027
