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InternshipFully Funded

ESU Secondary School Exchange Scholarship

A long-running gap-year exchange placing top-performing students at leading US independent boarding schools. Host schools waive tuition and boarding fees; students experience an additional academic year in the US before starting university

Provider
English-Speaking Union
Host country
United States (host)
Deadline
Annual cycle — see site

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Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply
Post-Year 13 students (scholars must be aged 18 when they take up the scholarship), and attend a UK host school. From the 2026–27 programme onwards, only students attending schools that host an American SSE scholar will be eligible to apply.
Funding
Fully Funded
Study level
Internship
Deadline
Annual cycle — see site

Key eligibility criteria

  • Post-Year 13 students (scholars must be aged 18 when they take up the scholarship), and attend a UK host school. From the 2026–27 programme onwards, only students attending schools that host an American SSE scholar will be eligible to apply.

Recorded funding information

  • Fully Funded

About the ESU Secondary School Exchange Scholarship (2026)

A long-running gap-year exchange placing top-performing students at leading US independent boarding schools. Host schools waive tuition and boarding fees; students experience an additional academic year in the US before starting university back home. Several African ESU branches participate.

Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

  • Fully Funded

ESU Secondary School Exchange Scholarship eligibility

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

  • Post-Year 13 students (scholars must be aged 18 when they take up the scholarship), and attend a UK host school. From the 2026–27 programme onwards, only students attending schools that host an American SSE scholar will be eligible to apply.

ESU Secondary School Exchange Scholarship document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

    How to apply for the ESU Secondary School Exchange Scholarship 2026

    Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

    1. 1
      Check the provider's process

      Consult https://www.esu.org/programmes/secondary-school-exchange/ to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.

    2. 2
      Check eligibility and any requested materials

      Listed eligibility: Post-Year 13 students (scholars must be aged 18 when they take up the scholarship), and attend a UK host school. From the 2026–27 programme onwards, only students attending schools that host an American SSE scholar will be eligible to apply.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.

    3. 3
      Check dates and next steps

      Listed deadline information: Annual cycle — see site. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

    ESU Secondary School Exchange Scholarship deadline & application timeline

    Provider deadline information: Annual cycle — see site. This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

    1. Planning suggestion: 12 months out

      Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.

    2. Planning suggestion: 6 months out

      If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.

    3. Planning suggestion: 3 months out

      If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.

    4. Planning suggestion: 1 month out

      If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.

    5. Provider deadline
      Annual cycle — see site

      Provider deadline information: Annual cycle — see site. Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

    Ready to apply?

    Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

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    Frequently asked questions

    Who can apply for the ESU Secondary School Exchange Scholarship?+

    Post-Year 13 students (scholars must be aged 18 when they take up the scholarship), and attend a UK host school. From the 2026–27 programme onwards, only students attending schools that host an American SSE scholar will be eligible to apply.

    What funding does the ESU Secondary School Exchange Scholarship offer?+

    Listed funding: Fully Funded. Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

    When is the application deadline?+

    Provider deadline information: Annual cycle — see site. Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

    What documents do I need to apply?+

    No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

    How do I check the application process?+

    Consult https://www.esu.org/programmes/secondary-school-exchange/ to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: Post-Year 13 students (scholars must be aged 18 when they take up the scholarship), and attend a UK host school. From the 2026–27 programme onwards, only students attending schools that host an American SSE scholar will be eligible to apply.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: Annual cycle — see site. Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

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