A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarships

The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust (AHET) was founded in memory of Albert Sidney Hornby, a pioneering linguist and author of the renowned Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. The Trust exists to further Hornbys lifelong commitment to language education by providing financial assistance to students, teachers and researchers who demonstrate talent, need, and a genuine passion for the study and teaching of English.

Who Can Apply?

AHET awards several distinct scholarships, each with its own eligibility criteria. In general, applicants must meet one or more of the following conditions:

• Be a citizen or permanent resident of a Commonwealth country.
• Be enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate programme that includes a substantial component of English language study, linguistics, TESOL, or related fields.
• Demonstrate a strong academic record (typically a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or equivalent).
• Show financial need, assessed through a standard meanstest.
• Commit to using the scholarship to advance English language education, either through research, teaching, or community outreach.

Types of Scholarships

Undergraduate Study Scholarship

Designed for highachieving students beginning their first degree in English language studies. The award covers tuition fees up to £2,500 per academic year and may include a modest livingcost stipend.

Postgraduate Research Scholarship

Supports masters and doctoral candidates whose research aligns with the Trusts focus on language acquisition, curriculum development, or assessment. Recipients receive up to £5,000 per year for a maximum of three years.

Teacher Development Grant

Targeted at practising teachers who wish to attend an accredited professional development course, conference, or workshop. Grants range from £1,000 to £2,500 and are intended to enhance classroom practice.

Community Outreach Scholarship

Provides seed funding for projects that promote English language learning in underserved communities. Successful proposals can obtain up to £3,000 for materials, travel and coordination costs.

How to Apply

All applications are submitted through the AHET online portal. The standard package includes:

1. Application Form personal details, academic background and a statement of purpose (max 1,000 words).
2. Academic Transcripts official copies from your current or most recent institution.
3. Reference Letters two letters, one from an academic supervisor and one from a professional (e.g., employer or teacher).
4. Financial Evidence recent payslips, tax returns or a scholarship/aid statement to confirm need.
5. Project Proposal (if applying for the Community Outreach Scholarship) a concise plan outlining objectives, methodology, timeline and budget.

All documents must be uploaded in PDF format. Incomplete applications will be automatically disqualified.

Selection Process

The Trusts Scholarship Committee evaluates applications on three pillars:

• Academic Merit evidence of strong grades, research potential or teaching competence.
• Financial Need assessment of the applicants economic circumstances.
• Impact Potential how the scholarship will enable the candidate to contribute to English language education locally or globally.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited for a brief video interview. Final decisions are communicated via email, and successful scholars are required to sign a scholarship agreement that outlines reporting obligations.

Obligations of Scholars

Recipients must:

• Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) throughout the award period.
• Submit an annual progress report, including academic results and a reflective statement on how the scholarship supported their goals.
• Present a concise presentation at the annual AHET conference (or submit a prerecorded video) to share findings or teaching innovations.
• Agree to a payitforward clause after graduation, scholars are encouraged to volunteer a minimum of 20hours a year in languageeducation activities coordinated by the Trust.

Success Stories

Maria Patel Undergraduate Scholar (2022)
Maria, a firstgeneration university student from Kenya, used the Undergraduate Study Scholarship to complete a BA in English Linguistics. She later secured a role with the Commonwealth Language Initiative, where she now designs curricula for rural schools.

Dr. James OLeary Postgraduate Research Scholar (20232025)
Jamess thesis on Digital GameBased Learning for ESL learners was funded by the Postgraduate Research Scholarship. The findings have been published in the International Journal of Language Teaching and adopted by several UK secondary schools.

Community Outreach Project 2024
A team of teachers in Bangladesh received a Community Outreach Scholarship to develop a mobile library of Englishlanguage resources. The project reached over 1,200 learners within its first year and continues to expand.

Contact & Further Information

For detailed eligibility criteria, application guidelines, or to arrange a preapplication consultation, please contact the Trust:

• Email: scholarships@ahet.org
• Phone: +44 (0)20 79461234
• Address: A.S. Hornby Educational Trust, 12 Bloomsbury Square, London WC1A 2RB, United Kingdom

Visit the official website for the latest news, past awardees and downloadable application forms:

Go to AHET Scholarships