Key Facts
- What: 1 year scholarship programme between UK and US host schools, facilitated by the ESU
- Who: Post-Year 13 students (scholars must be aged 18 when they take up the scholarship), and attend a UK host school
- Please note: The SSE programme will be returning to its original format; from the 2026–27 programme onwards, only students attending schools that host an American SSE scholar will be eligible to apply. This is to rebuild our network of generous host schools. We hope to reopen the programme to other UK students in the near future.
in brief
The ESU’s Secondary School Exchange offers British students the opportunity to spend a gap year at an American high school at the end of Year 13. It’s a fantastic chance for students to spend time abroad broadening their horizons, making new friends and continuing their education free of exam pressures.
Alumni include singer-songwriter and musician KT Tunstall, comedian Dawn French, journalist and novelist Rosie Millard OBE and writer and director Dick Clement. Feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with students reporting increased confidence, a better understanding of diverse perspectives and the sheer joy of being fully immersed in another culture.
‘My year as an ESU Secondary School Scholar has been nothing but tremendous. The experience I gained as an ESU scholar has and will continue to play an important role in my life. The ESU organisation has changed my life drastically. I now have friends who live on the other side of the world offering me places to travel in Asia, Africa and America. I have teachers who have shown genuine interest and commitment in my progression as a student. Most importantly, I have friendships which I do believe will stand strong.’
Leo McBrien, SSE alumnus 2023-24
What students receive
- Scholarship (worth $60,000 to $80,000) to a private US high school
- Full board and lodging plus access to all of the school’s facilities and activities
- Opportunity for independent travel in the holidays
- Once-in-a-lifetime experience that builds self-confidence
- Exposure to other points of view and a different way of life
- The chance to study different subjects and subjects taught from a different perspective and to participate in new sports and pastimes
- Chance to take part in spring break, prom and graduation
- A more discussion-based approach to teaching, setting them up for university
- Positive life experience that is often a differentiating factor in university and job interviews
- Means-tested grants of up to £3,000 are available to applicants to cover additional costs
Why Becoming a UK Host School Is a Fantastic Opportunity
- Foster international friendship by welcoming a US scholar into your school community.
- Help young people develop confidence, communication, and leadership skills through meaningful cross-cultural interaction.
- Promote a deeper understanding of cultural exchange and diversity, preparing students for a globally connected world.
- Encourage students to engage in multinational discourse and broaden their worldviews.
- Support the English-Speaking Union’s mission to build a better future through dialogue, not division.
100% of SSE participants over the last two years strongly agree or agree that ‘The SSE has increased my confidence’
find out more
Important Update:
Starting in 2025, only students from schools that offer an SSE scholarship to an American student will be eligible to apply.
This change is necessary to ensure the programme’s long-term sustainability. By rebuilding our network of partner schools, we can create more exchange opportunities for students in the future.
We understand that this may be disappointing news if you or someone you know was hoping to apply independently. The SSE has a long legacy of providing transformative opportunities for young people, and we hope to re-open the programme to include those from non-partner schools as soon as possible.
If you would like further clarification about these changes, please feel free to reach out to us.
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