The International Baccalaureate has partnered with the University of the People to offer scholarships for educators around the world to earn a fully funded Master of Education degree online. This is not a typical scholarship. It is built around a shared conviction that the global shortage of quality teachers is one of the most urgent challenges in education, and that addressing it starts with investing in the professionals who are already showing up for their students every day. For educators who have not yet had access to affordable postgraduate teacher education, this scholarship changes what is possible.
The University of the People is a tuition-free, fully online, American-accredited university that serves students in 194 countries. The M.Ed. in Advanced Teaching it offers through this partnership is genuinely accessible: no campus to travel to, no enormous tuition bill to pay, and a delivery model built around the realities of working professionals. This scholarship covers assessment fees, transfer credit fees, English preparatory course fees and application fees for selected recipients. For educators in contexts where postgraduate study has previously been out of reach financially, this is a meaningful opening.
This post covers everything you need to know about the 2026 application round: who is eligible, what the scholarship covers, what you need to submit, how to apply step by step and what to expect from the process.
Scholarship Overview
| Field | Information |
| Host Country | Online (United States-accredited, fully remote) |
| Degree Level | Master of Education (M.Ed.) |
| Funding Type | Scholarship covering assessment fees, transfer credit fees, English preparatory course and application fees |
| Deadline | 24 May 2026 |
| Who Can Apply | Educators worldwide who have not yet earned a master’s degree in an education-related field |
| Benefits Summary | M.Ed. course assessment fees covered, transfer credit fees covered (if applicable), English preparatory course covered (if applicable), application fee waived |
Eligibility
- Citizenship: Open to educators from any country. UoPeople serves students in 194 countries and the scholarship is globally available.
- Academic qualifications: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a US-accredited institution or an equivalent degree from an accredited international institution. Applicants who do not hold an undergraduate degree are not eligible.
- Professional background: The scholarship is designed for new or emerging educators who have not yet earned a master’s degree in an education-related field. Educators who already have a master’s degree in a non-education field may still apply.
- Prior UoPeople enrolment: Applicants who have already earned credit toward the M.Ed. at UoPeople are not eligible for this scholarship. It is for students starting fresh.
- Language requirements: Applicants must be proficient in English.
- Age requirement: Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
Eligible Countries
This scholarship is open to educators from all countries. UoPeople serves students in 194 countries and no geographic restrictions have been listed for this scholarship.
Eligible Fields of Study
This scholarship is specifically for the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Advanced Teaching offered by the University of the People. It is not available for other degree programmes.
The M.Ed. offers two specialisations:
- Primary and middle school level teaching
- Secondary school level teaching
Students complete 13 courses including core courses, electives and a capstone project. A 16-course version covering both specialisations is also available.
Benefits
- M.Ed. course assessment fees: Fully covered for scholarship recipients. These fees are what students need to pay to complete and receive credit for each course, and they represent the main cost of the degree.
- Transfer credit fees: Covered where applicable, for students who are bringing in prior credit.
- English preparatory course fees: Covered where applicable, for students who require additional English language preparation before beginning the programme.
- Application fee: Waived. IB scholarship recipients will not need to pay the standard UoPeople application fee.
Note: The M.Ed. does not award a teaching certification. It is an academic postgraduate degree in education.
Required Documents
- Completed application form submitted via Submittable
- Updated resume or CV in English
- A 3-minute video pitch (detailed instructions are provided within the application once it opens)
- Research paper (detailed instructions are provided within the application once it opens)
- Professional letter of recommendation, submitted directly from the author to the application portal (not submitted by the applicant)
Note: Late applications and recommendation letters submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. Letters submitted directly by the applicant rather than the recommender will also not be accepted.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm your eligibility. You must hold a bachelor’s degree, be an educator who has not yet earned a master’s degree in an education-related field, and must not have already started the M.Ed. at UoPeople.
Step 2: Visit the IB’s official scholarship page to access the application. The 2026 application opened on 4 May 2026 and closes on 24 May 2026.
Step 3: Open the application form on Submittable. The interview questions, video pitch instructions and research paper instructions are all contained within the application form and become visible once the application is open.
Step 4: Prepare your 3-minute video pitch. Read the instructions carefully within the application before recording. The video is a key part of your application and the guidelines are specific.
Step 5: Complete the required research paper according to the instructions provided within the application form.
Step 6: Update your CV or resume in English, making sure it accurately reflects your current role, your teaching experience and your professional development.
Step 7: Identify a professional recommender, ideally a current or previous supervisor, and contact them early. Ask them to submit the letter directly to the application portal before the 24 May 2026 deadline. Letters submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
Step 8: Complete and submit the application form on Submittable before the deadline. The deadline is based on your local time as displayed on Submittable on the closing day.
Step 9: After the scholarship application, if selected, you will receive instructions on completing your UoPeople admissions process. The UoPeople admissions deadline is in August 2026.
Step 10: Monitor your email for communications about the scholarship results, which are announced in July 2026, along with an online webinar for recipients.
Key Dates and Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
| Application Opens | 4 May 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 24 May 2026 |
| Recommendation Letter Deadline | 24 May 2026 |
| Scholarship Recipients Announced | July 2026 |
| Online Webinar for Recipients | July 2026 |
| UoPeople Admissions Deadline | August 2026 |
| First Day of Term 1 | 3 September 2026 |
Application Deadline
The application closes on 24 May 2026. The deadline is based on your local time as displayed on Submittable on the closing day.
Applications submitted after this time will NOT be accepted. Late recommendation letters will also not be accepted, regardless of when the main application was submitted.
Selection Criteria
Educator profile: The scholarship prioritises new or emerging educators who have not yet had access to a master’s degree in education and who lack access to affordable teacher education in their context.
Commitment to learning and IB values: The programme supports professionals who are committed to continuous professional development and who are driven by the values of IB pedagogy. This does not mean you need to currently work in an IB school, but your application should reflect these values.
Video pitch: This is a key element of the selection process. It gives the committee insight into your personality, communication ability and motivation for pursuing the degree.
Research paper: Demonstrates your capacity for academic thinking and your readiness for postgraduate study.
Letter of recommendation: A professional reference from a supervisor who can speak to your work as an educator adds credibility to your application.
Career goals and community impact: The scholarship description emphasises educators who are shaping change in their communities. Evidence of impact, innovation or leadership in your educational setting will strengthen your application.
Important Tips
- Do not delay. The application window is only 20 days long, from 4 May to 24 May 2026. Open the form as soon as it is available and understand all requirements before you begin preparing materials.
- Contact your recommender immediately. They must submit their letter directly to the portal by 24 May 2026. Waiting until the last week to ask them is a risk you should not take.
- Read the video pitch and research paper instructions inside the application form before you start preparing either. The instructions are specific and you should not guess at what is required.
- Be concrete in your video about your teaching context, the challenges your students face and why this degree matters for your community. Generic motivation statements are less compelling than specific, grounded ones.
- Remember that the M.Ed. does not award a teaching certification. If your goal is certification, this programme may not be the right fit. If your goal is deepening your expertise as an educator, it is a strong pathway.
- The programme is fully online and self-paced enough that it can take between less than one year and two to three years to complete, depending on your circumstances. Factor this flexibility into your decision to apply.
- If you have questions about the scholarship, email the IB directly rather than waiting and hoping. The contact information is on the official IB scholarship page.
- Listen to the official IB podcast episode featuring a past scholarship recipient. It gives real insight into the application experience and the programme itself, and can help you frame your own application more effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
I already have a master’s degree in a subject other than education. Can I apply?
Yes. The eligibility criteria specify that you should not have a master’s degree in an education-related field. If your existing master’s degree is in a different discipline, you are eligible to apply.
I do not currently teach in an IB school. Can I still apply?
The scholarship information does not state that you must work in an IB school to be eligible. The programme is designed for educators broadly, not only those within the IB network. However, alignment with IB values is part of the selection criteria, so reflect on how your work connects with those principles in your application.
How much does the M.Ed. cost if I am not awarded the scholarship?
UoPeople describes itself as a tuition-free university. However, course assessment fees are charged per course and represent the real cost of completing the degree. The scholarship covers these fees for recipients. Without the scholarship, students pay these assessment fees themselves.
How long does the M.Ed. take to complete?
UoPeople states that some students complete the degree in less than one year, while for others it takes two to three years. The pace depends on how many courses you take per term and your personal circumstances.
Is the M.Ed. from UoPeople internationally recognised?
UoPeople is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, which is recognised by the US Department of Education. Whether the degree is recognised in your specific country or professional context depends on local regulations. Check with your national education authority if recognition is important for your career goals.
Can I submit my recommendation letter myself on behalf of my recommender?
No. The recommendation letter must be submitted directly from the author to the application portal. Letters submitted by the applicant will not be accepted under any circumstances.
What specialisation should I choose in the M.Ed.?
The programme offers two specialisations: primary and middle school level, and secondary school level. Both share nine core courses and a capstone but have distinct specialised courses. Choose based on the level at which you currently teach or plan to teach. There is also a 16-course version that covers both specialisations.
Will I receive an interview invitation as part of the application process?
The application form includes interview questions that are accessible once the application opens.
Official Link
Access the 2026 application and full scholarship details on the IB’s official partnership page: https://www.ibo.org/professional-development/workshops/university-of-the-people-med-scholarships/
