The level of financial support you get will depend on the subject you choose and the way you train to become a teacher.
There are several types of funding that may all be available to you, depending on your eligibility:
- a bursary or scholarship
- tuition fee and maintenance loans
- extra financial support if you’re a parent, a carer, or you have a disability
Please note that alternative funding is in place to train as an Early Years teacher, which leads to achieving Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS).
Bursaries
A bursary is a tax-free sum of money awarded to high quality graduates who meet eligibility criteria and train to teach in certain subjects. You may be eligible for a bursary or a scholarship but you cannot receive both. If you receive one, you will not have to pay it back.
They are only available in the following subjects:
- chemistry, computing, maths, physics - £24,000
- classics, languages - £10,000
- biology - £7,000
Eligibility
Bursaries are awarded to candidates:
- with a 2:2 or above in their undergraduate degree, a Masters or a PhD
- eligible to receive student support
- taking a qualifying postgraduate or undergraduate ITT course in England
- who comply with the terms and conditions of the bursary scheme
- not in possession of, or eligible for QTS
- not undertaking paid teaching work when in receipt of the bursary
- not simultaneously undertaking any other ITT course, training scheme or programme that leads to QTS
How you will be paid
You don’t need to apply for a bursary. If you’re enrolled on a non-salaried postgraduate course and meet the eligibility criteria, you will begin receiving payments from your chosen teacher training provider when you begin your course.
How you’re paid will depend on the amount of financial support you receive. If you’re awarded a bursary, you’ll receive this in 10 equal monthly instalments from October to July.
You are advised to confirm payment schedules with your training provider.
If you're unsure about whether you could be entitled to a bursary you can chat to us.
Undergraduate bursary
If you’re a final year undergraduate student, you may be eligible for a training bursary of £9,000 if:
- you’re studying a QTS course in secondary mathematics or physics
- you’re studying an opt-in QTS course in secondary undergraduate computing, languages, mathematics or physics
- your course started in the academic year 2021 to 2022
You will receive the bursary in the final year of your course.
If you are eligible and on a 4-year undergraduate course that leads to QTS and a Master’s degree, you will receive a £9,000 bursary in both the third and fourth years of your course.
Troops to Teachers bursary
If you’re a former service personnel you may be eligible for a tax-free bursary of £40,000 for an undergraduate degree leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in England.
To be eligible for the bursary, you must:
- train to teach secondary biology, physics, chemistry, computing, maths or modern foreign languages
- not already have a undergraduate degree
- have left full-time employment with the British Army, Royal Air Force or Royal Navy no more than 5 years before the start of the course
- be entitled to support under the Student Finance England eligibility criteria
You can also apply for a tuition fee and maintenance loan for the duration of the course.
For more information and to search for undergraduate teacher training courses visit UCAS. When you’ve chosen some potential training providers for this programme, you should contact them for more details about eligibility and bursary payments.
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded in partnership with professional subject associations to the most gifted applicants, as a tax-free sum of money worth £26,000 by:
- Royal Society of Chemistry (chemistry)
- BCS The Chartered Institute for IT (computing)
- Mathematics Teacher Training Scholarship (maths)
- Institute of Physics (physics)
They are awarded according to each of the professional subject associations scholarship’ eligibility criteria. If you are awarded one, you will not have to pay it back.
Apply for a scholarship
Apply for a scholarship through the awarding subject associations.
If you are not successful in applying, you may still be able to get a bursary.
How you will be paid
If you successfully apply for a scholarship and meet the subject awarding body criteria, you will be receive it in 10 equal monthly instalments from October to July.
You are advised to confirm payment schedules with your training provider.
If you're unsure about whether you might qualify for a scholarship you can chat to us.
Parents and carers - extra financial support
You may be able to apply for:
You do not need to pay back these kinds of financial support.
Disabled students - extra financial support
If you have additional needs due to a mental health condition, long-term illness or disability you can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs).
